Day/Overnight Rental
The daily rate is $8 per person per day. The overnight rate is $15 per person per night.
Facility space and areas of use will be determined by the size of the group as well as their program needs. Rental and payment of the facility usage fee entitles the group to the use of all outdoor space (including the tent area when in season), fields, campfire rings, pavilions and the assigned indoor spaces. Food, equipment rental and Babler OEC provided programming may require additional fees and must be set up no less than 30 days in advance of the group's arrival. Groups of 100 or more may request exclusive use of the facility (applies to overnight use only). Groups that have reserved exclusive use of the facility will be charged for 100 participants or the actual number of participants that attend, whichever is higher.
There are two ways your group can experience the Babler Outdoor Education Center (OEC):
- Rent the facility and manage your own program
- Work with Babler OEC staff to create a customized program to meet your needs
See below for more information on the option that best fits your needs.
Rent the Babler OEC
Organized groups may request use of the Babler OEC through our application process as follows:
- Organized groups may request use of the Babler Outdoor Education Center (OEC) by submitting a request using the link below. All requests will be confirmed via email by our PRCE staff.
- Requests for the current calendar year are open and ongoing. While groups will be able to view available dates once your account is created, please note that some dates will not be available due to facility maintenance.
- Requests for the next calendar year will be accepted beginning August 1 for groups that serve individuals with disabilities. All other requests will be accepted beginning October 1. Requests will be considered based on the eligibility/priority of the user group and the order in which they were received.
Groups are encouraged to contact the Babler OEC office to schedule a tour of the facility after an account is created and dates are requested. Groups are responsible for reading and following all policies and procedures prior to and during their stay.
Once the submitted group request is approved, a 25% deposit of estimated usage fees will be required.
To cancel a reservation, please notify Community Education immediately at info@prcommunityed.org. Deposits will be refunded with a 60-day written notice, with no deposit being given for less than 60 days' notice. Cancellation within 30 days of reservation will require payment of full usage costs according to estimated numbers provided in the request.
Create a Program for Your Group
Specializing in outdoor education, environmental education, teambuilding and outdoor skills, Babler OEC staff can work with you to create a custom, age-appropriate program for your group. Whether you want to participate in a half-day, full-day or overnight program, Babler OEC has many options to meet your needs. Depending on the size of the group, programs can be taught by Babler OEC staff or through a combination of Babler OEC staff and individuals from your group. Program costs vary depending on the length of the program, size of the group, required staff, and program topic.
Popular program topics include, but are not limited to:
- Archery
- Fishing
- Forest Ecology
- GPS/Geocaching
- Missouri Animals and Habitats
- Orienteering/Map and Compass
- Outdoor Creativity (artwork made with natural resources)
- Outdoor Cooking
- Pond Ecology
- Sensory Activities
- Survival Skills (fire and/or shelter building)
- STEM-based Programs
- Teambuilding/Challenge Course
View the full list of programs available
Don't see a program listed? No problem! Our expert Babler OEC staff will work with you to design a customized program to meet your needs.
Park Closure Dates
November 1- 3, 2024
May 18 - 26, 2025 (Park may reserve the right to use OEC during these dates)
October 31 - November 2, 2025
Made Your Choice?
Once you have made your choice, click the link below to register an account and begin the OEC request process:
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Register your account
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Select "New Request" or select "Calendar" to view specific dates
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Select “Babler OEC Rental” from the “Request type” dropdown
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Select “Babler Outdoor Education Center” from the “Building” dropdown
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Select the building(s) you wish to request from the “Resources” dropdown
Once the request has been submitted and reviewed, staff will follow up to answer any questions and begin the planning process.