Last Summer Break Camping Trip

One Last Summer Vacation Camping Trip

Kelly said, let's go camping one last time before summer break is over.  That is about all it takes for me to want to go.  I had been doing professional development at school the week before and after all those meetings, I was ready to head out!  We booked a spot at Sam A. Baker (old tried and true). 

Before we left I whipped up a new camping recipe...Stickless kabobs.  It's all the Kabob goodies wrapped in foil.  In hindsight, I put too much in there, just one of these fed both Kelly and me. 

When we pull into the park and I get the water tank filled and back into our spot, I literally sigh and all the stress disappears.  Everyone was so happy to be back.  As soon as we park the boys are off on their bikes.  It is a little hot out so they got all nice and sweaty!

Even Winston likes it now!

Goofballs!

Cookin' up Campfire Kabobs!  I really like them.  Kelly would rather have regular Kabobs.

A little fire dancing!

We woke up bright and early the next morning.  There were a lot of programs at the park that weekend and we were going to try and get the boys their first Missouri State Parks Explorer stars. 

Paxton loves to be first and ask questions the whole time.

Climbing the rocks

Showing off their cool rock finds

Gotta get some learnin' in!

We went back to camp for some late breakfast and then back to the Visitor's Center for a bead craft thing.  I didn't get any pictures of this, but I think Kelly liked it even more than the kids!

Camden was the Clue Champion!

Welcome to Loserville!

Creatures of the Night Presentation!

Everyone slept like a baby that night.  It was a day full of bike riding, hiking, swimming, presentations, and activities.  One more activity at the Visitor's center before we leave on Sunday.  Fill the Bill, all about how a bird's beak is designed to handle what they choose to eat (fish, seeds, nectar, etc.)

The boys had an opportunity to identify some of Missouri's wildlife to earn their identification credit.

Happy boys holding their stars.  Hopefully, these are just the first of many to come!  We love our state parks.  All of these great activities are funded through Missouri's Soil and Water Tax:

 (click here to find out more)  If you don't get outdoors often (or even if you do), you should make a visit to your local state park and see all the great things they are doing and take advantage of all their programs, free of charge.  We are believers and I will always vote to fund our state parks!