Trout Lodge Activities

While you're relaxing in the beautiful Ozark surroundings, take advantage of the wide variety of activities we offer — both Adventure-based and purely Recreational Activities. You're sure to find something of interest for everyone. SOME ACTIVITIES ARE SEASONAL; check with Trout Lodge front desk for information, and maps for area attractions. Guests with reservations may sign up in advance for activities three days prior to arrival. You may contact the Front Desk or Country Store. (314-241-9622 or 573-438-2154)

Kids under 12 must be accompanied by an adult at all activities.

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RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES

Archery
Find your inner archer with this classic camp activity. Includes safety instruction, tips and practice time. Cost: No charge. Requirements: Ages 5+; Maximum of 16 people.

Astronomy
Stars shine at Trout Lodge - a lot of stars, actually. Our staff will take you on a journey through the night sky that you won't soon forget. Cost: No charge. Requirements: No age limit.

Bingo
We're not talking about the farmer's dog! This is a great game for all ages and we have prizes for the kids! Cost: No charge. Requirements: No age limit.

Board Games
A variety of board games, puzzles and cards are available.
Cost: No charge. Requirements: No age limit.

Boat Float (March - November)
Take a leisurely 45-minute ride on a pontoon boat while indulging in a cool root beer float.Cost: $1 (ages 3 & under are free) Requirements: No age limit; ages 7 and under must wear a life jacket.

Boathouse Equipment Checkout (boats are only available May-November when combined air and water temperature is 100 degrees or higher.)
Bicycles, tennis equipment, bocce, sports balls, fishing poles, canoes, funyaks, rowboats and paddleboats... Cost: No charge. Requirements: Specific age restrictions for each activity apply. Parents are strongly advised to consider the swimming abilities of their children and asked to supervise them appropriately.

Campfires
Join us for a campfire with songs, skits and s'mores. Requirements: No age limit (Private campfires may be arranged - $50 for a programmed campfire and non-programmed campfires are free.)

Cave Exploration (Memorial Day - Labor Day)
Take part in a unique and educational adventure. Our guides will help you explore the mysteries of a nearby cave. (You may have a 30 minute walk each way and cave time is about 45 minutes. Participants may get dirty and wet. Most caves are narrow and dark. Use your own judgement regarding your comfort level.) Cost: No charge. Requirements: Ages 7+. By signing up for this activity, parents authorize the YMCA to provide and/or secure necessary emergency medical care for their minor child in the case of an emergency. Maximum: 10 people.

Facility Tour
Hop into a van for a 40-minute tour of our beautiful grounds and take a look at everything there is to see and do at YMCA of the Ozarks. Cost: No charge. Requirements: No age limit. Maximum: 10 people.

Fishing Trip (Memorial Day - Labor Day)
Participants have a chance to get offshore and find the hot spots for fishing. Our staff will provide poles, bait and some great company for the duration of this 50-minute charter. Cost: No charge. Requirements: No age limit, but children ages 7 & under will use cane poles. MO state fishing laws apply. Maximum: 8 people per trip.

Fitness Room
Weights, treadmills, bicycles and step machines are located in the recreation center. Open when Arts & Crafts is open or check out a key from the front desk. Cost: No charge. Requirements: ages 15+

Frisbee Disc Golf
It's like golf, but in the woods. And without golf balls. Get your frisbees from the boathouse and head out to play a round on our brand new course. Cost: No charge. Requirements: No age limit.

Geocaching
It's modern day treasure hunting. Armed with a GPS unit, a set of coordinates and a healthy sense of adventure, you can go out and look for "treasures" scattered around the property. We have 3 new moderate courses and a brand new advanced course. Must attend orientation before you can check out the GPS equipment. Cost: No charge. Requirements: No age limit.

Gymnasium
Practice your hoop skills or run indoors. The floor is safe for rollerblading (rollerblades not provided). Cost: No charge. Requirements: No age limit.

Hiking
Grab a trail guide from the front desk before you head out; it provides natural history information coresponding with signs along the trail. Cost: No charge. Requirements: No age limit. Strollers will not go on most trails. We advise hiking in groups of three or more.

Horseshoes, Shuffleboard & Washers
It's like being in your own backyard, only you didn't have to cut the grass! Cost: No charge. Requirements: No age limit.

Horseback Riding and Ranch Activities

Lake Swimming
A lifeguard is on duty from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Library
We've been stocking our library with books for you to trade. To swap a book you've just read, please bring it to the front desk. If you don't have a book to swap please leave a $2 donation at the front desk so we can keep our shelves full. Thanks, and please think of us when you clean off your bookshelves at home!

Mini-Golf
Try out our 18-hole mini-golf course! Clubs and balls are available at the Country Store on a first come, first-served basis. Cost: No charge. Requirements: No age limit.

Nature Hike
Take a guided hike along our Cold Springs Trail. The distance will depend on the ability of the hikers. Cost: No charge. Requirements: No age limit.

Orienteering
Use a compass and a map to get from point to point and see if you can complete our course. You must attend the orientation before checking out the compass. Cost: No charge. Requirements: No age limit. We advise hiking in groups of three or more.

Ping Pong
Check out the equipment at the front desk. Tables are located on the back patio. Cost: No charge. Requirements: There is no age limit for this activity, but children ages 8 & under must be accompanied by an adult.

Pontoon Tour (available April through November)
Take a relaxing scenic tour around beautiful Sunnen Lake, and see a different view of Trout Lodge. Cost: No charge. Requirements: No age limit, but children ages 7 and under must wear a life jacket; limit of 10 people per boat.

Riflery
After a safety introduction you'll learn how to use our .22 caliber rifles and try out your skills. Can you hit the bulls eye? Cost: No charge. Requirements: Ages 10+. Maximum of 16 people.

Rocketry
Sign up for a time to build AND launch! We'll help you put it together, and later send it up to 1000 feet in the air! (We cannot guarantee the success of the launch or your ability to retrieve your rocket afterwards.) Cost: $7 per rocket. Requirements: No age limit. (Children over age 12 who require one-on-one assistance must be accompanied by an adult.)

Sand Volleyball
Volleyballs are available at the Country Store and the court is next to mini-golf.

Scavanger Hunt
When you think your scavenger hunt is complete bring it back to the front desk to claim your prize.

Shotgun
Our staff will instruct you how to use, point and shoot a shotgun, then you'll get a chance to shoot at clay pigeons. We have adult and youth model shotguns. Cost: $5. Requirements: Ages 12+; 90 lbs. +; ages 17 & under must be accompanied by an adult. 5 people per session. The session takes 2 hours.

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ADVENTURE ACTIVITIES

Alpine Swing
A thrilling combination ride of a brief free fall and swing. Participants are hooked into a cable, wearing a harness and helmet, and then are pulled up by those on the ground until they are about 40 feet in the air. The participant lets go of a release cord and begins to "swing" over a distance of about 60 feet. We have a 280 lb. limit for this activity. Cost: $10 per person/swing. Ages: 10+. Maximum: 10 people per hour.

Alpine Tower
The tower is a 50-foot hourglass shaped climbing structure. Participants wear a harness and helmet and are held by a belay system (safety rope). Cost: $10 per person/climb. Ages: 10+. Maximum: 10 people per hour.

Moonlight Zip
This incredibly thrilling ride is only offered after dark. In essence, it is a 250-foot zap-line which functions as a zip-line. Participants wear a harness and helmet and are held by a belay system (safety rope). You will run down a large hill and eventually, your feet come off the ground and you fly through the darkness over a valley, crossing a small creek in the process.
Cost: $10 for 3 zips. Ages: 13+.

Pines Peak
Pines Peak is a 20-foot climbing wall. Challenge yourself and see how high you can climb! Participants wear a harness and helmet and are held by a belay system (safety rope). Cost: $7 per person/climb. Ages: 5+. Maximum: 12 people per hour.

Pines Zip
Zip down a 250-foot cable on a pulley. A harness and helmet are worn by each participant. Cost: $10 per person/zip. Ages: 8+ Maximum: 12 people per hour.

Summit Explore & Rappel
Once you've gone through a variety of challenging obstacles (20-50 feet in the air), you'll rappel through the center to place your feet back on solid ground. And then you'll want to try it again. Participants wear a harness and helmet and are held by a belay system (safety rope). Cost: $15 per person. Ages: 13+ Maximum: 8 people per hour.

Summit Zip
This zip line is high (35 feet), long (400 feet), and fast. Participants wear a harness and helmet and are held by a belay system (safety rope). Cost: $15 per person. Ages: 13+ Maximum: 8 people per hour.

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ARTS & CRAFTS CENTER
Here is a sample of the creative projects waiting at the arts & crafts center. Some projects are available only at certain times when staff are scheduled to instruct and assist.

Art Clay Silver Jewelry
Make your own personalized 99.9% sterling silver jewelry. (Please allow two hours for this activity.) Cost: Varies. Requirements: ages 12+.

Beaded Crown
Everyone deserves to feel like a king or queen. Cost: $7.

Ceramics
Glaze your own special keepsake. Articles will fire in the kiln overnight and can be picked up the next morning at 10:00 a.m.Cost: $1-$20.

Gel Candles
Insert accents into your candles to make them uniquely yours.Cost: $8+ Requirements: ages 8+.

Jewelry
A variety of beads and kits for anklets, bracelets, and necklaces.Cost: Varies.

Lotions & Potions
Pamper yourself by making your own lotion, shower gel, body spray, and bath salts. Cost: $12/set (items can be purchased a la carte).

Plaster
Pick and paint your own masterpiece. Choose shapes ranging from "Buttercup the Pony" to "Lucky the Dog."Cost: Varies.

Sand Candles
Make your own home accent from a variety of wax colors.Cost: $5.

Scrapbooking
Capture memories with a trendy paper bag scrapbook or a binder, or make individual pages to add to an existing scrapbook. Cost: Varies.

Stepping Stones
Design an accent for your garden from concrete and glass.(Please note: the stones must stay in the molds for 36 hours.) Cost: $10.

Tie Dye
Tie-dyed shirts are as fun to make as they are to wear. We have t-shirts in adult and kid sizes as well as onesies. Cost: $10-$12.

Wood
Construct a birdhouse or make your own keepsake box. Cost: Varies.

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SPRING BREAK AND SUMMER THEME DAYS, 2009
(some activities may not be offered during Spring Break)

Safari Sunday
Nature Photo Scavenger Hunt
Get up close and personal with the flora and fauna surrounding Trout Lodge with our nature photo scavenger hunt. Come to the front desk to pick up the scavenger hunt guide and check out a digital camera if you don’t have one.

Fishing
There are all kinds of fish in Sunnen Lake just waiting to be caught. Grab a pole from the boathouse and try your luck on the fishing dock! Age 16-64 must have a Missouri Fishing License, which can be purchased along with bait at the Country Store.

Geocaching
Geocaching is a modern day treasure hunt where you use a GPS unit to find caches hidden around our “game reserve”. This year we have three moderate courses and one new hard course for you to try. You must attend and orientation before checking out the GPS equipment from the front desk.

Nature Hike
Get into the animal spirit and join our staff on a hike on the Cold Spring trail. You might see some animal tracks and learn a little more about the nature that surrounds us. The length of the hike will depend on the ability of the hikers.

Nature Center
Visit the new Nature Center over at Camp Lakewood! Get up close and personal with our bearded dragons, hedgehog, tarantula, turtles, snakes, and much more! You can even pet Raymond the rabbit.

EVENING PROGRAM: Nature Center Puppet Show and Night Hike
Let’s talk about cones. No silly, not ice cream cones, we’re talking about the cones in your eyes that help you see colors at night. Do you know what kind of animals roam in the forest at night? Skunk, raccoons, bats, and much more! Let us take you on this adventure into the night, using all of your senses to learn about the world around you that might seem a little unfamiliar, but is actually tons of fun.

Blast-from-the-past Monday
Time Travel Trivia
How much do you know about the generations that came before us? Join us and test your knowledge of fun pop culture and history! You can brag to your family about how much you know or even learn a few new fun facts!

Backyard Games
It’s all about the classics! Come join our staff in fun old times back yard games. Play ladder golf, washers or even badminton! There’s a fun game for everyone to enjoy.

Pool Party
Come to the waterfront and join in our fun pool party. Do the limbo and join in fun water games. You’re guaranteed to get wet in this water extravaganza!

EVENING PROGRAM: Karaoke Sock Hop
Come join our staff to sing songs from the present and from decades ago. This activity is great for the young and the young at heart. Join in the fun or sit back and watch the action as we sing the night away!

Wrangler Tuesday
Cowboy Camp
Our wranglers have set up camp down by the ranch and they’re inviting you to join the fun. You’ll get to try to lasso our wooden steer and brand a strip of leather that you can take home with you. Demonstrations will take place from 9 – 9:30 am.

Trap Shooting
Our shotgun range is a great place to test your skills. Our staff will teach you to use, point and shoot our adult or youth model shotguns. Then you’ll get a chance to shoot at clay pigeons. You must be 12 years old and at least 90 pounds to participate, and anyone under 18 must have adult supervision. This activity may be cancelled due to rain.

Trail Rides
Take a one or two mile ride with our staff wranglers. Travel the scenic and rugged mountain trail or travel through the hardwood forest on this beautiful adventure. Age restrictions may apply; see your schedule for details.

EVENING PROGRAM: Barn Dance
Mosey on down to the ranch tonight for some good ol’ fashioned fun at the barn dance. We’ll have a line dance caller who can really get your toes tappin.
Our hayride shuttles will pick you up at Trout Lodge starting at 7 pm, and return you to the Lodge at the end of the barn dance.

Pirate Wednesday
Geocaching Treasure Hunt
Geocaching be for landlubbers with GPS units. In addition to our regular courses, for today only ya’ can do a special Treasure Hunt course. Ya’ must attend an orientation before getting the GPS equipment from the front desk.

Sailing
You’ll be a salty sea dog after ya learn’t sail the right way at the boathouse today. After a short orientation ya’ll be settin’ sail or the high seas and be in shipshape!

Pirate Pontoon
Aye, it’s time t’ give those other pirates a taste o’ their own medicine, gar! Set sail on the pirate pontoon and launch water cannons at the apposin’ team. A word of caution… you are guaranteed to get wet!

Mermaid Bubbles
By the powers of ya lads and lasses, lend yer hand in making the largest bubble ever. You be impressing those mer people and stunning yer mates. I be waitin for yer help in this great summer activity.

EVENING PROGRAM: Campfire
There’s no campfire like “The Best Campfire in the World”. We take it up a notch with a wickedly huge bonfire and all of your campfire favorites. So come sing along with us, or even try your hand at entertaining us!
Of course, everyone will get s’mores. After all, what would “ The Best Campfire in the World” be without a little sugar rush to end the night?

Go-Global Thursday
International Bingo
Travel across the world in this fun version of Bingo. Discover fun facts about countries world wide and win children’s prizes!

Three Goal Soccer
Soccer is a popular game in countries across the world but it’s never been played like this! Test your soccer skills and have fun in this new version of soccer. All ages can enjoy this exciting game that you can learn and show your friends!

EVENING PROGRAM: International Night
Come grab your passport and take a trip throughout the world. Meet staff from countries such as Brazil, Colombia, Australia and more! Ask them questions and see if you can complete the passport challenge! Who will make it around the world first?

Fired-Up Friday
Trap Shotgun Shooting
Our shotgun range is a great place to test your skills. Our staff will teach you how to use, point and shoot our adult or youth model shotguns. Then you’ll get a chance to shoot at clay pigeons. You must be 12-years old and at least 90 pounds to participate, and anyone under 18 must have adult supervision. This activity may be cancelled due to rain.

Rocketry
What’s cooler than launching a rocket up to 1.000 feet? Building it yourself! Don’t worry, we’ll help you figure out how to build it (it’s not like it’s rocket science). You need to sign up for a build time and a launch time, but they don’t have to be on the same day. Anyone under age 12 and those who require one-on-one assistance must be accompanied by and adult. Sorry, but we can’t guarantee the success of the launch or your ability to retrieve the rocket.

Juggling Sticks
Juggling Sticks are becoming a favorite activity for many kids around the country. Let our staff introduce you to the art of “sticking” or “twirling”. Learn the basics, and then master some cool tricks to show your friends at home. You’ll all be juggling your way through the week in no time.

Campfire Building
What do a teepee and a log cabin have in common? If you said, “they are both types of shelters”, you are technically right. But this is Fired-Up Friday, so that answer just won’t cut it. Come learn the proper way to build a campfire that will light with just one match (and no, we don’t need diesel either, Dad.)

EVENING PROGRAM: Campfire
There’s no campfire like “The Best Campfire in the World”. We take it up a notch with a wickedly huge bonfire and all of your campfire favorites. So come sing along with us, or even try your hand at entertaining us!
Of course, everyone will get s’mores. After all, what would “ The Best Campfire in the World” be without a little sugar rush to end the night?

Swashbuckler Saturday
Geocaching Treasure Hunt
Geocaching be for landlubbers with GPS units. In addition to our regular courses, for today only ya’ can do a special Treasure Hunt course. Ya’ must attend an orientation before getting the GPS equipment from the front desk.

Sailing
You’ll be a salty sea dog after ya learn’t sail the right way at the boathouse today. After a short orientation ya’ll be settin’ sail or the high seas and be in shipshape!

Pirate Pontoon
Aye, it’s time t’ give those other pirates a taste o’ their own medicine, gar! Set sail on the pirate pontoon and launch water cannons at the apposin’ team. A word of caution… you are guaranteed to get wet!

Mermaid Bubbles
By the powers of ya lads and lasses, lend yer hand in making the largest bubble ever. You be impressing those mer people and stunning yer mates. I be waitin for yer help in this great summer activity.

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WITHIN A SHORT DRIVE YOU CAN ENJOY:

• Antique Shopping
• Bonne Terre Mines Tours
• Elephant Rock State Park
• Fort Davidson Historic Site
• Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park
• Mark Twain National Forest Berryman Trail
• Onondaga Cave State Park
• Sayersbrook Bison Ranch
• Washington State Park Indian Petroglyphs
• Peaceful Bend Vineyard
• St. James Winery
• Meramec Vineyards