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.
Of Interest to People With Disabilities…
National Inclusion Project: Ready, Set, Summer! Family Toolkit – FREE! the NIP has created this free resource designed to help families of children with and without disabilities plan with confidence and make the most of the season. Inside, you’ll find a S.U.C.C.E.S.S.F.U.L. Inclusive Program Checklist to guide your camp search, a DIY sensory tools guide for easy at-home support, tips for smoother car rides and road trips, and a 10 Ways to Move & Play Every Day list to keep kids engaged all summer long. Whether you’re heading to camp, traveling, or enjoying time at home, these tools are here to help you create a summer where your child feels supported, included, and celebrated. Download your copy HERE
Black Cat Coffee Café Spring Pop Up Day (SCC), Saturday, May 16 from 9:00 AM 12:00 PM at Messiah Church (map). We empower teens and young adults with disabilities in St. Charles County at quarterly pop-up events where our Coffee Crew gains hands-on experience in a welcoming, supportive environment. Grab a menu, take a seat, and note your name and table number before marking your selections. A Coffee Crew member will collect your order. Beverages are self-serve including coffee, tea, juice, water, and cold drinks. All treats and drinks are complimentary, with CASH ONLY tips warmly welcomed to support our Coffee Crew. Information
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
Black Cat Coffee Café Spring Pop Up Day (SCC), Saturday, May 16 from 9:00 AM 12:00 PM at Messiah Church (map). We empower teens and young adults with disabilities in St. Charles County at quarterly pop-up events where our Coffee Crew gains hands-on experience in a welcoming, supportive environment. Grab a menu, take a seat, and note your name and table number before marking your selections. A Coffee Crew member will collect your order. Beverages are self-serve including coffee, tea, juice, water, and cold drinks. All treats and drinks are complimentary, with CASH ONLY tips warmly welcomed to support our Coffee Crew. Information
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…
Food Truck in Blanchette Park (SCC), Tuesday, May 12 from 5-8PM at Blanchette Park, 1900 W Randolph St, St Charles, MO 63301 (map). Join us for this Food Truck Event featuring live music and a variety of delicious food options available for purchase at several different food truck vendors. Bring your family and friends out for a relaxing evening in the park. Information
Beale Street Concert Series (SCC), Wednesday, May 13 from 6-8pm at Streets of St. Charles, 1650 Beale Street, 63303. Kick off our summer concert series with “Plastic Kings” playing lively music so you can dance and sing. FREE! Bring your lawn chair. No outside food or beverages allowed. Visit Website
Mini Book Fair (SCC), Friday, May 15 from 9 am-6 pm, and Saturday, May 16 from 9 am-4 pm. Join us for our mini Book Fair—a smaller version of the community’s favorite annual event. Admission is free to browse. Books for sale priced very reasonably. Information
Wentzville Days Fair & Music Festival (SCC), May 15-17 in Historic Downtown Wentzville Allen & Main, 63385. Celebrate our community during Wentzville Days! This three-day festival includes food, drink and craft vendors, live music, a carnival, kids activities and more. Carnival times are 6:00-10:30 PM on Friday, 12:00-10:30 PM on Saturday, and 12:00-6:00 PM on Sunday. Wristbands can be purchased for rides. Information
Sid & Bob’s BBQ (SCC), Saturday, May 16 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Westhoff Park, 810 Sheppard Drive, O’Fallon, 63366. Calling all residents of O’Fallon, MO! You’re invited to join Parks Police Officers Sid and Bob to indulge in some seriously delicious BBQ treats while soaking up the sunshine at the Westhoff Plaza Skate & BMX Complex. They’ll be flipping burgers, grilling hot dogs, and serving up smiles all afternoon. It’s the perfect opportunity to meet and mingle with your local law enforcement while enjoying some mouthwatering grub. Information
Recreation Council Reminders…
Missouri Department of Conservation FREE nature classes: Classes are for outdoor lovers of all ages and abilities. Choose from nature classes to learn about plants and animals, outdoor skills, hiking, survival, fishing, and shooting sports. Registration is required for most classes unless indicated. Participants with disabilities should email the instructor when registering to discuss accommodations needed to participate. Support staff are usually allowed to attend to provide assistance, but instructors need prior notice. 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.
Overnight Camp Registration and Voucher Funding: Complete an application HERE.
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
Recreation Council Resources…
- Summer Opportunities Guide
- Program Providers for People with Disabilities
- Community Resources for People with Disabilities
- Recreation Council Facebook Page
- View this Newsletter as a WEBPAGE
Search for more events in St. Charles…
- Discover St. Charles: www.discoverstcharles.com/events
- St. Charles County Parks: www.sccmo.org ~ Information ~ Calendar ~ Guide
- Events in the Metro Area (BEST OVERALL SITE): www.stlouiscalendar.com
- Michael’s Craft Store classes: www.michaels.com/classes
- Missouri Department of Conservation – www.mdc.mo.gov/events
- Best Hiking Trails in the Metro area: www.hikingproject.com
- Kids Out and About: www.saintlouis.kidsoutandabout.com
- Fun 4 STL Kids: www.fun4stlkids.com/calendar
- Metro attractions: www.explorestlouis.com
