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Where Learning Comes Naturally
Nestled in the Fleming Park Nature Preserve on the east side of Lake Jacomo, the Kemper Outdoor Education Center is a haven for nature lovers and educators. Inside the Nature Center you’ll find live reptile displays, rock and fossil exhibits, a natural resource library, mounted examples of native wildlife and a wildlife-themed gift shop. The grounds feature nature trails, butterfly and water gardens, wildlife viewing areas, an arboretum, a shelter house, large pond and a day camp site. The Outdoor Classroom offers a valuable resource for hands-on environmental education. Hikers on Habitat Trail can explore a variety of ecologies: wetland, prairie, woodland and cactus glade.
Self-guided tours are free of charge. The Kemper Outdoor Education Center staff offers guided interpretive programs for classrooms, youth groups and organizations large and small. Choose from programs as simple as a nature hike to an X-Stream Green field trip, an all-day multi-station outdoor adventure. The interpretive staff conducts programs on Snakes, Bats, Skins and Skulls, Butterflies, Birds and Binoculars, Humane Education, Fishing, Recycling, Nature Hikes and more. Kemper Outdoor Education Center is also home to the Jacomo Day Camp for ages 6 to 13. This outdoor education/outdoor recreation program promises kids a summer they'll never forget. Activities include swimming, canoeing, archering, hiking, camping skills, nature study, field trips, arts and crafts, sports and games. The site is available to rent for picnics, family reunions, pool parties and weddings.
Special Events offered by the Kemper Outdoor Education Center include the Kids’ Fishing Derby, Water Gardens Tour and Dogtober Fest.
KOEC's newest program offers an outdoor Team Building program for groups as young as 5th Graders through adults. Groups face multiple challenges which foster communication, cooperation, problem solving, group cohesiveness, mutual respect, support, conflict resolution, broader perspective, sensitivity to others (especially those a bit different than oneself), effort, excellence, stress management, frustration tolerance, out-of-the-box thinking, strategic planning, risk taking, confidence, and a sense of connectedness to the natural world.
Hours of Operation:
May 1 to August 31, Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Sundays from noon to 4:00 p.m. on March 2, April 6, May 4, June 1, July 7, August 3, September 7, October 5 and November 2
Programs can be scheduled year-round.
NOTICE TO KEMPER OUTDOOR EDUCATION CENTER VISITORS: DUE TO CONSTRUCTION, LIGGETT ROAD IS TEMPORARILY CLOSED. PLEASE USE AN ALTERNATE ROUTE TO KEMPER OUTDOOR EDUCATION CENTER:
From I-70 & 7 Highway in Blue Springs: Go South 6 miles on 7 Highway; turn right on Colbern Road (West), go approx 1-½ miles and turn right (North) onto Cyclone School Road. Turn right when road forks at Lochkirk Drive. Turn right onto Cowherd Road, then turn left onto Jasper Bell Road. Go north to entrance of Kemper Outdoor Education Center (on left). From I-70 and I-470 (291 Highway) in Independence: Go South on I-470 to Colbern Road, exit and turn left (East); go east 3 miles on Colbern Road, turn left (North) on Cyclone School Road. Turn right when road forks at Lochkirk Drive. Turn right onto Cowherd Road, then turn left onto Jasper Bell Road. Go north to entrance of Kemper Outdoor Education Center (on left).
From 291 Highway & Colbern Road in Lee’s Summit: Go East 3 miles on Colbern Road, turn left (North) on Cyclone School Road. Turn right when road forks at Lochkirk Drive. Turn right onto Cowherd Road, then turn left onto Jasper Bell Road. Go north to entrance of Kemper Outdoor Education Center (on left). |
Click here to download a printable map of the detour route |
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