It might be the dead of winter, but deep in Rolla, Missouri, plans already are underway for a summer of uproarious fun. The longstanding Cub Creek Science and Animal Camp opens for business June 3 and runs for 10 weeks. There’s barely a moment of downtime. “We are very excited to bring back some of the wonderfully creative staff members we had last year,” says Ari Farley, assistant camp director. In particular, she means the two women who came from Scotland to teach Scottish country dance to campers and the counselors who ran the Friday morning water aerobics sessions. “Both of those activities were extremely popular, and we plan to build on that success this year,” Farley says.
Also new in 2017 were the pavilions constructed at each of the three campsites. They provide cover for around 20 people, allowing campers to sleep outside under the stars even when it’s raining. “The sleepouts are a camp highlight, but in the past, we’ve had to cancel if the weather didn’t cooperate,” she says. “Now we won’t have to.” Each pavilion, Farley adds, has its own fire pit, which makes for amazing s’mores!
Cub Creek may be best known for its cuddly critters and, as usual, there likely will be some babies born in time for opening day. Farley, who has worked at the camp in some capacity since 2012, says she expects there will be two or three baby lemurs, as well as a few wallabies and Patagonian cavies. All in all, the Cub Creek menagerie amounts to more than 300 animals—from hissing cockroaches and tiny tree frogs to miniature horses and a one-humped dromedary. During each session, campers are given the opportunity to ‘adopt’ and care for their favorite animal.
Cub Creek’s science component introduces youngsters to chemistry and physics, as well as veterinary and culinary science. That means they build rockets and bake cakes, make household substances like Oobleck, and learn how to give basic animal exams.
All of the traditional elements of summer camp are present at Cub Creek too, with outdoor activities like hiking (with alpacas!), swimming, fishing, zip lining and riflery. A survival skills course teaches children how to find water, forage for wild edibles and build a fire. Pottery, painting, digital photography and theater appeal to artsy campers.
So really, Farley says, there will be something for everyone this summer, with around 90 camp staff ready to make it a memorable experience for all. “I’ve seen this camp grow into a community where kids feel like this is their second home,” Farley says. “They make friends here who they keep in touch with over the years, and they come back to camp to see each other again. I like to think that we make this an environment where kids make friendships that will last a lifetime.”
Cub Creek Science and Animal Camp serves children ages 7 to 17 for one- to six-week sessions. Located on a 300-acre exotic animal ranch just north of Rolla, Missouri, it offers more than 100 activities and hands-on encounters with more than 100 species of animals. For more information, call 573.458.2125 or visit mosciencecamp.com.
Cover design by Allie Bronsky | Cover photo by Ari Farley
Pictured at top: Campers get hands-on encounters with animals, which they can pet, groom, walk and feed.
Photo: Ari Farley
