Cub Creek Science Camp

What are Parents saying about Cub Creek Science Camp?

Simply Amazing, I want to be a camper!!

There is no other camp out there like it, and I have looked!

I felt so relaxed knowing they were safe and having fun, Thank-you.

My Kids haven't stopped talking about it since last summer!

What will you say about this unique experience?

The ultimate camp for the animal enthusiast!  Find out, first hand, what it's like to be a veterinarian, a zoo keeper or an animal trainer.  

At Cub Creek Science Camp you'll enjoy all the traditions of a spectacular overnight camp. You will;  Roast marshmallows over a campfire. Take an animal safaris through a beautiful Missouri Ozark forest. Get a chance to see what it takes to become a veterinarian. Become a zookeeper for a week and see what it is like to care for a wide variety of exotic animals.

All activities are hands-on!

Under the guidance of our knowledgeable staff, campers choose 2 hand-on science courses for each week they are at camp. We offer 26 different courses. Courses are designed to be taught with two levels. (One for elementary students and the advanced for middle and high school students. )

We offer the ultimate experience for the animal enthusiast!

Cub Creek Science Camp has over 300 animals of over 100 different species. Most of these animals are handled and cared for by the campers themselves. We believe that one of the best ways to make a lasting impression is to give our campers the opportunity to get up close and personal with all our resident animals.

Incredibly comfortable cabins!

Lets face it, you will enjoy your camp experience much more if you are able to get a good night sleep. Our cabins are air-conditioned, with private bathrooms, semi-private bedrooms and a name brand mattress on every bed.

Something for everyone

As parents, we know that 7-17 year olds have a wide range of experience.  We take care to split the camp into two seperate sections.  Our Junior camps allow kids to do everything the Senior campers would, but in a format and cabin group that is perfect for their age.  Senior campers have a safe place to be a teen and take their learning and experiences to the next level. 

Click an image to enlarge.

How many campers are in each cabin?
Cabins are designed to accommodate up to 14 campers and 3-4 counselors.

Are campers grouped according to age?
Yes. Our program is divided into Junior campers and Senior campers. Junior campers are those campers who are 7-11 years only Our senior campers are 11-16 years old. 11 year olds can be either or a Junior or Senior camper depending upon the week. Cabins are further divided to group campers according to their age group. We have flexibility in our cabin groupings and will try to honor all cabin requests. Campers eat and participate in activities with their own age group.

Who are the staff?
Our staff are typically local and international college students with a love of children, science and the outdoors. Many of them are education majors.

How do you screen your staff and how are staff trained?
Staff must complete an in-depth application and interview. A clean background check, accurate employment history and good references are also mandatory. Staff go through an extensive 2 week training prior to the arrival of campers.

How many staff do you have in each cabin?
We have 3-4 staff living in each cabin.

Who is the director?
Cub Creek Science Camp was created and is directed by Lori Martin. Lori is the mother of two girls, Mikayla who is in seventh grade and Jamie who is in first grade. Lori and her husband Scott live at Bear River Ranch and personally oversee all aspects of camp. They work daily to continual improving the facility and program. It has been a lifelong dream of Lori's to create a fun, educational environment where curious kids can explore and learn about what interests them most, under the guidance of motivating staff. Because animals have always been one of Lori's great interests, she chose to make them the underlying theme of Cub Creek Science Camp.

What activities are offered at camp?
Our activities are what make us stand apart from other camps! We offer all of the favorite "traditional" camp activates such as tie dyeing t-shirts, outdoor living skills, archery, fishing, swimming and crafts. Our staff are trained to teach the science behind each activity. So making a tie dye teaches you chemestry and the mixology of color. Cool huh? We also offer many activities unique to Cub Creek Science Camp, such as our Jr. Vet and Adopt an Animal programs. You can read more specifics about our activities on our webpage. Just google Cub Creek Science Camp!

What is the difference between a course and a class?
Courses and classes are the names given to our camp activities. Each camper will choose two courses for each week at camp and two classes for each day of camp. Courses focus on one specific area of study and involve fun-hands on projects or experiments that expand upon the course's subject each day. - If a camper signs up for the chemistry course, than each day at the same time she will meet with the chemistry instructors and the same group of campers who also signed up for chemistry. During this course she will make slime, grow crystals, make a rainbow in a jar as well as other fun experiments that will help her understand more about states of matter, compounds, mixtures etc. Classes are specific projects that take just 1 hour to complete but are sure to entertain, intrigue and educate. Each course is made up of 5 classes, all with the same theme. If a camper did not sign up for chemistry as a course, she would still be able to participate in one or more of our chemistry classes, such as a one hour class on slime and silly putty.

What if my child does not get into the course or class that she wanted?
By signing up for courses prior to coming to camp we are able to determine how many campers are interested in taking a particular subject and offer that subject multiple times if necessary. Encouraging your child to communicate his or her wants to our staff is the best advise we can offer. If a particular course is filled, the individual classes that make up that course can be offered during class times. Classes and courses vary each week with the interest of the campers.

Tell me about the cabins.
We are very proud of our modern, barrier free cabins. Each 1600 square foot cabin has air-conditioning, private bathrooms and showers, semi-private bedrooms with real twin mattresses, a large covered porch and central meeting room. While campers spend most of their time away from the cabins, we think it is important that campers are able to get a good night's sleep. This is accomplished by a full, busy day of activities as well as a comfortable place to sleep

What will my child need to bring to camp?
Cub Creek will provide all necessary field study, laboratory and activity equipment. There are no additional fees for activity supplies. A list of suggested personal items for each camper to bring to camp will be sent with the confirmation packet.

What type of meals are offered?
Meals are home cooked and delicious. Campers sit among the friends from their cabin and can enjoy as much as they like. Breakfasts offer a variety of cereals, fruit, juice, milk, yogurt and a hot entrée. Lunch is usually lighter with sandwiches both hot and cold, fruit, chips and drinks. For breakfast and lunch, campers choose and often prepare part of their own meal. Dinner is everyone's favorite with meals including fried chicken, lasagna, pizza, BBQ and hamburgers cooked on the grill.

How do I know if my child is ready to go to a sleep away camp?
The best indicator of your child's readiness to attend a sleep away camp is your child. Ask him or her. If he says he wants to go, than more than likely he is ready. Don't force your child if he says he doesn't want to go. But remember that anxiety about something new and different is normal.

How do I know if Cub Creek Science Camp is right for my child?
If your child is ready for a sleep away camp and loves animals, exploring nature and learning about science, than Cub Creek Science Camp will be an excellent fit.

How long has Cub Creek Science Camp been in operation?
Cub Creek Science Camp offered it's first summer program in 1993.

My child is shy. Will she fit in?
Our staff are trained to help all campers fit in. The first day of camp is spent learning people's names, becoming familiar with the camp set-up and the week's activities. The buddy system is used when moving between activities, so no camper is left alone. Our cabin group period, before dinner, helps friendships develop among cabin mates.

What options are available for transportation to and from camp?
Each week we pick up and drop off campers at the St. Louis International Airport. Transportation service between camp and the airport is available for an $85 fee each way. Flights should be scheduled to arrive between 10 am and 1 pm on the first day of camp and depart between 1 pm and 4 pm on the last day of camp. We must have exact flight information by May 1. Most of our campers are driven to camp by their parents or carpool with a friend. Parents driving from long distances often spend the night in one of our areas hotels.

What is available in the camp store?
The camp store is a favorite place to visit during afternoon free period. The store sells most toiletries, stamps, flashlights, batteries, coloring books, pens, cards, water bottles, camp t-shirts and let's not forget about snacks (ice cream, soda, candy, chips, cookies, etc.).

Can I limit my child's purchasing of candy and soda?
Absolutely! When you put money into your child's trading post account, simply write on the form or tell the staff what limit you would like to place, and this will be written directly onto his or her card. The store is open one- two times each day.

When will I find out if my child has been accepted into camp?
Acceptance is given on a first come, first serve basis. Within two weeks of the receipt of your registration form and deposit, you will receive a letter of confirmation. Confirmation packets, which will include: a map with directions to camp, a medical history form, a packing list, an acknowledgment and consent form, and a course and class request form will be mailed out in the spring and will need to be returned to our office by April 1st.

What type of communication will I have with my child while at camp?
You will be able to communicate with your child through e-mail and regular mail, as well as see pictures of daily events in our photo gallery. Mail call is every day at lunch. Any e-mail received by 10:00 am will be distributed at that day's mail call. Campers are given the opportunity to send e-mail each day.

Can anyone send e-mails to my child at camp?
Anyone that you give the pass code may e-mail a camper. Only e-mails sent through the Parent Communicator will be delivered to campers. In order to access parent communicator you must have a pass code that will be supplied to you in your confirmation packet.

Camp Season: May 30, 2010 to August 7, 2010

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