Horses & Canoes: Summer Camp in the Ozarks With Your Family

Program Registration. After you check in and have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table to register with the program staff, get any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived. Help yourself to the fruit basket at the registration table! Orientation: 4:30 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. We will review COVID protocols and will adhere to applicable requirements and guidelines throughout the program. This is a Road Scholar Grandparent program. Grandparents are responsible for their grandchildren at all times. If/when separate age group activities are conducted concurrently, program staff will supervise. Minors are never to be left unsupervised. Our experienced and knowledgeable Group Leader will also serve as our Study Leader, presenting lectures and conducting field trips. Transportation will be via mini-bus unless noted otherwise. Meals will be in the Trout Lodge Dining Hall. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

In the Trout Lodge dining room.

We will explore Trout Lodge and learn about the history of the lodge and the upcoming program activities. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.

In the dining room.

We’ll walk to our very own cold springs for a hands-on lesson on aquatic ecology to learn what’s in and around the water. Then we’ll walk to another location and learn about rocks and minerals. We will have a wire wrapping lesson for the rocks found on the geology hike.

In the dining room.

Next, we’ll go to the Equestrian Barn, learn how to tack horses, and enjoy an educational ride in the arena. We will have a Kayak and Canoeing lesson by our waterfront crew after lunch.

In the dining room.

We’ll end the evening with a Rock Climbing adventure. Pines Peak is a 35 foot climbing tower and a great start to those newer to climbing! Note: For kids ages 8 and older.

In the dining room.

We will continue to have more riding lessons We’ll then board the bus and ride to Elephant Rocks State Park.

At Elephant Rocks State Park.

We’ll enjoy the afternoon at Elephant Rocks State Park where there are amazing natural geological wonders all around. The park is named for granite rocks that are 1.5 billion years old and look like a train of circus elephants. There are two available routes through the park, one on a paved walkway, the other up and over the rocks. Our Group Leader will take one route and provide commentary as we go. Those with energy and stamina are welcome to take the other route and go up on their own. At the top, we’ll learn about more geology and history with the whole group. On the way back, we will stop in the village of Caledonia. Most of the town has been declared a National Historic District. We’ll stop at the historic general store, notable for antiques and an old time hand-dipped ice cream and candy shop. Returning to the lodge, we’ll have some time to freshen up and relax before dinner.

In the dining room.

We’ll have an evening of fun-filled adventure on the Alpine Tower, Alpine Swing, and zip line. The Alpine Tower is a 50-foot hourglass-shaped jungle gym with a variety of elements including rocks, cables and poles.

In the dining room.

We’ll hop aboard the mini-bus and ride to the launch point for a float study trip aboard inflatable rafts led by local experts. We’ll learn about the river, the natural vegetation, and species found in the water. We’ll also have opportunities to get out and swim and enjoy the water!

In the dining room.

We’ll complete our float study trip and return to the lodge to relax and dry off. The remainder of the afternoon will be free to enjoy however you please.

In the dining room.

We’ll head on down to the ranch and learn how to line dance from our Triangle Y Wranglers.

In the dining room.

We will have a nice trail ride through one of our trails in the morning for half of the group and one of our programmed activities for the other half.

On the beach, we’ll have box lunches.

We will have a nice trail ride through one of our trails in the morning for half of the group and one of our programmed activities for the other half. After trail rides, we will go to one of the local wineries and the kids will stay behind with a staff member.

In our meeting space, it will be a catered St. Louis Style Dinner.

After a long day in the sun, we'll have a closing campfire with songs and s'mores.

In the dining room.

For anyone who would like to stay longer after the program concludes, please check with the Group Leader. YMCA Trout Lodge facilities will be available after check-out (at additional cost). If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!

We will have a lovely catered dinner that is St. Louis style themed. After dinner, we will have a lovely closing campfire with songs and s'mores.