Animal Haven: Cub Creek

In preparation for summer, big things already are happening at Cub Creek Science and Animal Camp in Rolla, Missouri. And it’s not just the camping experience getting a reboot, but some new faces will be in the dining room. Thankfully, though, not at the tables: their manners are unacceptable! “Lemurs are a colony animal—the more the better, in their minds. And in our mind, too!” says assistant director Ari Farley, as she explains that Cub Creek’s new dining room now contains a large lemur enclosure along the back wall.

This longstanding, animal-themed camp has a soft spot for cuddly critters and clearly doesn’t want to be without them, even at lunch. There currently are seven Madagascan primates in this ‘Lemur Landing,’ but Farley says more babies are expected to be born in the spring.

In total, there are 300 individual animals on the Cub Creek ‘farm,’ representing more than 100 species: Malachi—a dromedary (one-hump) camel—is the largest; Hip-hop—a white dumpy tree frog—is the smallest, unless you count the unnamed hissing cockroach. “I love the new enclosure,” Farley says, “but my favorite area is the barn.” This is where she helps tend to goats and lambs, wallabies and miniature horses. Farley and the other Cub Creek staffers bottle-raise the babies when necessary. And each summer, campers are given the opportunity to ‘adopt’ and care for their favorite animal. Last summer, four Patagonian cavy were born, and word has it, one of the wallabies already has a baby in its pouch. “He’ll be such a nice surprise for the kids,” Farley says.

In addition to its animal-centered program, Cub Creek also is a hub for science: Kids make slime, silly putty and toothpaste in the chemistry lab and shoot rockets and build circuits in the physics lab. In culinary science, campers grind wheat to make flour and spin cotton candy, decorate cakes and make fudge. “Many of our campers come loving science and are excited by things like physics and chemistry,” Farley says. “What all campers find out is that science is everywhere—from building a rocket to catching a frog and baking a cake.”

Elements of the traditional camp experience also are offered: Kids swim and fish, romp through woods, zip down zip lines, sing songs around campfires, shoot arrows and roast marshmallows. Cub Creek sits amid 240 acres of forest, and opportunities abound for engaging with nature. “We believe learning should be fun, and when kids are given the opportunity to investigate their passions, learning happens naturally while they are having a fantastic adventure,” Farley explains.

All campers have the chance to camp out for a night during each session, and Farley says she’s excited about some changes in the works for this year. “I don’t have all the details quite yet,” she says. “But let’s just say, it will be a more authentic, hands-on camping experience. And above all, more fun!”

Pictured: Fun in Lemur Landing
Photo courtesy of Cub Creek Science and Animal Camp

Cub Creek Science and Animal Camp combines science, animals and adventure for an enriching summer camp experience. For more information, call 573.458.2125 or visit mosciencecamp.com.

Cover courtesy of Cub Creek Science and Animal Camp