BACK TO RECREATIONCOUNCIL.ORG

Fun, Free Events

Listings by AREA:
St. Louis, MO ~ STL=St. Louis
St. Charles, MO ~ SCC= St. Charles County
Email us to receive this e-newsletter weekly: stchascounty@recreationcouncil.org
View As WEBPAGE

Recreation Council News…

Overnight Camp Registration and Voucher Funding: Breaking News! Sunnyhill Adventures has cancelled ALL weeks of their week-long, overnight summer camp for 2026. Note that Sunnyhill’s Weekend Adventure trips are not part of this closure and will happen as planned. If you received a Recreation Council overnight summer camp voucher for Sunnyhill, contact the coordinator in your service area to discuss alternatives. To be fair to all our applicants, we will hold funds allocated for Sunnyhill Overnight Summer Camp until FRIDAY, MAY 15 (one week longer than originally expected) to give you time to find an alternative camp. After that point, THE ALLOCATED FUNDS WILL RETURN TO THE GENERAL FUND. Remember that funds in all 3 of the counties we serve (St. Louis city, county, and St. Charles) are first come, first serve with program dates required. ST. CHARLES IS LIKELY TO REINSTATE A WAITING LIST BY THE MIDDLE OF MAY, while ST. LOUIS CITY AND COUNTY have ample funds available for all programs. Complete an application HERE for the county where you live.

Events For People with Disabilities…

FREE Parent Workshop: Understanding Your Sensory Child (SCC), Wednesday, April 29 from 7:00-8:30PM at Leaps & Bounds, 324 Jungermann Road, St. Peters, MO 63376, We’ll break down what’s really going on with your child’s sensory system and share practical, realistic strategies you can start using right away at home. Whether your child is constantly on the move, avoids certain textures, struggles with regulation, or has big reactions, this seminar is for you. Register HERE

Saturday Explorers: Astha A Capella (STL), Saturday, May 2 from 2-3pm at the Weber Road Library branch, 4444 Weber Road, St. Louis, MO 63123 (map). Saturday Explorers is a monthly program designed specifically for adults with disabilities. Caregivers are welcome. Contact Lauren Budde at 314-994-3300 or lbudde@slcl.org at the library with questions. Information

Partner News…

Great Rivers Greenway needs YOUR help to help communicate accessibility on the greenways! We know that the 140 miles of greenways in our region vary in their elevation, steepness, grade. We want to make sure we’re doing everything we can to communicate that information to everyone who needs it in a way that works best for them. If the steepness of paths or sidewalks matters to you, please fill out this interest form by Monday, April 27th. We’ll let you know by Wednesday, April 29th if you’ve been chosen to participate in the focus group on Monday, May 4th from 5-7pm where we’ll be presenting specific ideas for how to best communicate slope in print, digital, and in-the-field materials, and we welcome your candid feedback on this topic. Hybrid meeting at the Great Rivers Greenway office in the City Foundry (ADA accessible) OR on Zoom. All participants receive $50 VISA gift card, dinner, and childcare provided in person. If you have any questions about this opportunity, please contact Marla McDonnell at 314-655-1316 or MMcDonnell@grgstl.org.

Midwest Disabled Water Ski Association – Skier slots are going fast – Register soon: Summer Splash REGISTRATION. Missouri Disabled Water Ski Association (MDWSA) can’t wait to get back on the water, see familiar faces, and welcome new friends to the lake for another unforgettable summer. We provide a safe, fun and extremely memorable water ski experience. SLOTS FILL QUICKLY! Learn more about MDWSA.

St. Peters Disabled Person Locator Program: The St. Peters Disabled Person Locator program provides essential information about residents in the St. Peters area who have specific medical or developmental conditions so that when officers encounter individuals with these conditions, identifying the person and reaching a caregiver is faster. This secure database is included within an existing system, so there is no additional cost to the City of St. Peters participating citizens. Information

Boone Center, Inc. Inclusive Manufacturing Summer Camp (SCC), Applications OPEN NOW…Program happens from July 13–August 7, 2026 at BCI’s vocational training center at 16010 Spencer Road in St. Peters, MO. This FREE career exploration experience opens doors to future careers for high school students with disabilities. Boone Center, Inc. (BCI) is a nonprofit dedicated to creating employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities and is now accepting applications for its Inclusive Manufacturing Summer Camp. The instructor-facilitated camp is designed for high school students with intellectual or developmental disabilities who are interested in exploring hands-on learning in the manufacturing industry. APPLY HERE ~ Information ~ FLYER

Parents Supporting Parents (SCC): One of our Rec Council parents is creating network to support working parents with child care needs and asked us to share this message: “Many parents find themselves in a bind when they can’t leave their children with disabilities unattended because the child is too old for daycare but too young for adult services. My name is Lindsay and I’m a parent who wants to connect with other parents living in the St. Charles area who are in the same situation and want to discuss creating a network of parents who are willing to share childcare duties. This could happen both during the summer and the school year. If you are interested, contact Lindsay at Dandeliondogs@hotmail.com or 470-222-1008.”

Free Events for Everyone…

Pop-Up Fashion Show (STL), Tuesday, April 28 from 5-7pm at Hearth & Soul, 9640 Clayton Road, St. Louis, MO 63124. Check out new fashion creations from Lindenwood students and alumni designers. Autism Speaks is the April Hearth and Soul non-profit partner. Free, but Registration is Required

APOLLO 1 Movie Screening (SCC), Thursday, April 30 at 12 noon at The Lindenwood Theater, 2300 West Clay, Saint Charles, MO 63301. APOLLO 1 is the personal story of three exceptional astronauts who came together in America’s race for the Moon: Gus Grissom, Ed White and Roger Chaffee. It’s a story of jeopardy, adventure, tragedy and recovery, as told by those closest to the crew. Tickets are not required for this free, public event. Information

Route 66 Centennial Festival (STL), April 30-May 3 (various hours) at the MO History Museum in Forest Park. Celebrate the 100th anniversary of Route 66 at the Missouri History Museum during this four-day festival exploring the Mother Road’s stunning natural scenery, quirky roadside attractions, complex history, and impacts on communities across the St. Louis region. Activities for the whole family include live music, a vintage car display, storytelling, history talks, and a screening on Friday night of the movie, Cars. Check out the website for dates and times of each activity. Information

Sauce Magazine’s Food Truck Friday: Season Kickoff (STL), Friday, May 1 from 4-8pm at Tower Grove Park, 4257 Northeast Dr, St. Louis, MO 63110. Bring a picnic dinner or buy an entrée from one of our food truck vendors and enjoy an evening at the park with friends, fun, live music and over 20 food truck options. Event repeats May 29 and through the summer. Information

The Greater St. Louis Book Fair (STL), Friday-Sunday, May 1-3 (various hours) at Queeny Park: 550 Weidman Rd, Manchester, MO 63011. Come browse this enormous sale of hardback and paperback books, records, CDs, DVDs, comics and more. Many of these items can be purchased for prices as low as a couple of dollars. Proceeds benefit education and literacy efforts in the St. Louis Metro area. Admission is FREE Friday through Sunday. Information

Whiskers & Wags Pet Expo & Adoption Event (SCC), Saturday, May 2, 2026 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., at Civic Park, O’Fallon, MO. Join us for a celebration of pets at O’Fallon’s annual pet-focused expo and adoption drive. Bring your four-legged friends and shop vendor booths for incredible pet products like pet food & treats, toys and wearables, crates and beds and other can’t-miss deals. Grab a bite to eat to share with your furry pals, and enjoy pet-themed events, activities, demonstrations and more. Information

Spring Migration Bird Walk, Guided Hike (STL), Saturday, May 2 from 9am-10:30pm at Laumeier Sculpture Park, Kranzberg Education Center, 12580 Rott Rd, St. Louis, 63127. Learn how to spot birds by sight and sound while exploring why Laumeier Park’s grounds are an important stop along their journey across Missouri. Hike includes unpaved areas, slopes, narrow trails, and will be near wildlife and plants. Wear hiking shoes, sunscreen and bug spray. FREE, but registration is required. Call 314-615-5278 or Register ONLINE

Chicken N Pickle Kids Crew: Spring Balloons & Bloom Bash (SCC), Sunday, May 3 from 10am-12noon at CNP 1500 South Main, St. Charles, MO 63303. Free Kids brunch, free kids Spring Balloons & Bloom Bash, free balloon artist fun, free bingo! Fun for the whole family!*FREE Tickets needed for kids ages 12 & under only* Join us for CNP Kids Crew: Sign up here

WorldFest (STL), Sunday, May 3 from 12:00–5:00 p.m. at the Saint Louis Music Park in Maryland Heights, 750 Casino Center Drive, Maryland Heights, Missouri 63043 (map).Experience a world of culture right here in Maryland Heights at a free, one-day celebration of global diversity featuring live performances, international cuisine, cultural demonstrations, crafts and family-friendly activities. Children can explore the world through our interactive World Passport Program, visiting stations to learn about different countries and cultures. Information

Recreation Council & Partner Reminders…

Missouri Department of Conservation FREE nature classes:  Visit these links to find all the class listings: MDC’s Free Classes & Programs Sign up for email or text alerts to stay informed of MDC’s latest programs and events here: Sign Up for MDC News.

The 2026 Summer Opportunities Guide is now available to view and print: Find the PDF version HERE

St. Louis Magazine publishes a guide to local summer camps. From arts to athletics, there are many local offerings to keep your child active and entertained while continuing their development outside of the school year. Check out our 2026 Local Summer Camp Guide to find the right camp for your child. Camp Guide Here

BluePrint4 is a search engine to help you search for Summer Day camps and after-school programs in the St. Louis Metro area. www.blueprint4.com

Search for more Activities in your part of town…

Here are a few links to continue your search for fun in the metro area. Some places charge entry fees, so check on costs before you go.

Footnotes…