Summer Programs

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Learn & Discover > Youth & Families > Summer Programs

Summer Programs

Summer Family Programs at the Missouri Botanical Garden

Little Sprouts – Summer
(Ages 2–3 with an Adult)

Garden Buds Summer Saturdays
(Ages 4–6 with an Adult)

Great Green Adventures
(Drop-in Programs for Ages 6–12)

Virtual Camp EarthWays: Young Green Builders

(Virtual Summer Camp for Grades 5–8)

These are just a few of our offerings!
Browse all youth and family classes at the Missouri Botanical Garden

Summer Family Programs at
the Shaw Nature Reserve

Join us in Gray Summit, Missouri this summer! We have classes and programs for families with children of all ages. Offerings include Creek Stomp and Nature Photography for Teens, to name a couple. Learn more

Summer Opportunities for Groups

Instructor leading students through Climatron

Want to give your summer group an engaging experience? Visit the Garden! Through discovery and exploration, you will experience plants and the natural world in ways that spark curiosity and inspire your inner conservationist! The Children's Garden offers a wide array of hands-on exploration and play-centered learning opportunities.
Learn about self-guided visits

Or visit one of our other locations for a fun program: Shaw Nature Reserve in Gray Summit or the Butterfly House in Chesterfield

Summer Family Programs at
the Butterfly House

Visit us at the Butterfly House in Chesterfield. Whether you come for a one-on-one class with your little one or bring the whole family to the Firefly Festival, there's lots to do and see this summer! Learn more

Tales & Trails

Hiking_Boot_Logo_5-color-2

Are you looking for a fun, active way to keep learning this summer? Read in the great outdoors! What better way to stay active and keep your brain energized than taking your book for a hike, a walk to the park, or right outside to your own backyard. This unique summer reading program pairs reading with outdoor adventures. Whether fiction or non-fiction, allow your favorite books to connect you to the real world in new ways. For inspiration, check out some of our recommended eBooks or select your own books at home.

All you need to do to complete the Tales & Trails Summer Reading Challenge is to read six books in the outdoors and record your experience on your log. (If you need more room to document your adventure, feel free to print another sheet to keep writing!) Once our sites are fully open to the public, head over to the Missouri Botanical Garden, the Shaw Nature Reserve or the Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House to redeem your prize pack (while supplies last).

Please note: It may take some time to get the prize packs distributed to each site, since we are currently not in the office or open to the public. Please check back often for updates. Prize packs will be able to be pick up through December 31, 2020.

Download reading list and log pdf!

Or go paperless! Try out our new online summer reading log submission form! There is even an option to upload a picture or drawing. Once all your information is entered you will receive a confirmation email to receive your prize pack when available.

What are you waiting for? Grab your favorite nature book and head outside this summer!

Start Date: June 1, 2020
End Date: August 31, 2020

Story Time with the Garden

Go to the Garden's Story Time YouTube playlist