Bonebrake Center of Nature and History

Folks, we have been amiss in posting some of the happenings related to the Bonebrake Center, so please forgive the long and varied post! In September, we were graced with a group from Legends Bank of Linn, MO as the last stop on their "Mystery Tour." We had such a wonderful time with a gracious group of folks who were generous with their gifts and their compliments after some songs, a program, and homemade ice cream. To say that it took a village to pull this off is an unde...rstatement! We had a group of about ten volunteers making ice cream, cookies, and serving the group of 40. THANKS to all who made this happen? Then in October, we had a great field trip with Mudbugs families to Current River State Park and Montauk State Park, with expenses covered by a grant from the Missouri State Parks Association. Connie Weber of Current River State Park presented a program about birds and Steve Bost of Montauk State Park presented his program about pollinators. Although it was a wee bit chilly, all had a great time. We ARE going to have the Cookie Walk. It will be on Saturday, December 12 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. We are asking folks to practice social distancing and wear masks, and we will have volunteers take your money and package up your goodies to take home. We have also been recently graced with visits from Dr. MacDonald Bonebrake who was raised in the house. At 97, he is still a charming, intelligent, and fun guy!

Create a "bomb" that will explode into color when you least expect it! Flower seeds, mud, etc. can be made into a mudpie that you can throw into your garden for a surprise next spring.

Adults--remember Chia pets? Well, this is Mama Mudbug's version. Grow grass in the house and even give it a haircut as it needs it! Mama Mudbug named hers Harry, but you can name yours anything you want! Create a face (or glue a photo of you or someone else!), plant the seeds, and watch it grow! Locals may contact Libby for materials, if you need them (247-0279).

Learn how to communicate with one of our favorite nocturnal critters! Mama Mudbug is a pro, and she will help you learn how to do it too!

Learn how to add an additional "pop" of color to one of our pretty non-native flowers! (FYI-Queen Anne's Lace is NOT native, just widely disbursed!).

Trying to respond to a message from "Semper Paratus" about the Bonebrake family lineage. I seem to have lost the contact information. Please message me!!!!!!

UPDATE...Due to far too many variables and our inability to control them safely, we are sad to say there will not be camp this year. So sorry to all our wonderful campers and helpers who have worked to make this happen (well, NOT happen....).. After talking to several camp folks, several nurses, and the health department, ultimately it has been decided there is too much risk involved with >30 people coming in from all over (KC, St. Louis, Branson, Thayer, Cape), difficulty... in social distancing, masks in 90 degree + weather , >15 folks helping over 60... 17 busy 6-12 year olds--at least we are ready for next year!!!! We are so excited about camp starting Wednesday. Mountain lions (well, a mountain lion skin), cane pole fishing, felting, skunks, aquatic macro-invertebrates, Lewis and Clark, scavenger hunts, turtles, popsicles (of course!) and, oh, so much more! We have 17 youngsters and 19 presenters and staff! We will be responsible re: hand washing, masking when appropriate, and general social distancing. But we are going to have FUN! Thank you for those who have provided scholarships for families who needed a little help. We have one more child whose family could use a scholarship, if anyone has an extra $75 burning a hole in their pocket. Know that the child IS coming to camp, but a scholarship will save us digging into our operating fund for the expense. THANKS!