One of the best BSA Scout camps I have been to. They have an amazing program and an amazing dining…read morehall.

Awesome scout camp in NW MO. Kids from 14 states were here last summer...the camp draws troops from…read moreall over the country...literally! I think the troop that took home the honors for furthest distance traveled came from Washington state last summer! It's extremely well run, every area is totally walkable, professional top notch staff, and safe and secure.

My child was having behavioral struggles prior to Clay-Platte (CP). We thought sensory was a…read morecomponent & I had her tested for cognitive ability due to complaints that school was boring. She tested high & I thought perhaps she wasn't being challenged combined with overwhelming sensory inputs. She lacked behavioral struggles at home which told me the school environment was the trigger. I'd been looking into CP since she was a baby so I decided to take the leap. I enrolled her in the 6-9 year class. Before term I got a call that the school's 9-12 class teacher had left & they'd be combining classes so that 6-12 year olds were in the same class. I trusted the school wouldn't make that decision without consideration so I was still onboard to give it a shot despite reservations. Behavioral struggles began immediately and I took my child back for more extensive testing. Before completing testing, my child was asked not to return to CPs aftercare program. W/o aftercare I could not keep my child at CP. I moved her to a different school & got the results of her testing. She has inattentive ADHD. She began medication for ADHD & is doing so much better now. Having the dx explains a lot. My child is smart yet struggles to focus on a subject. She knows she can learn something yet cannot direct her attention to learn it. This caused significant frustration. Also, in times where she is receiving undesirable sensory inputs she seeks sensory outlets. The combo of these also led to her eloping the environment causing her stress. I'm writing this review to share some insights for parents who also have neurodivergent (ND) children. I had hoped that I would be met at CP with empathetic minds given the nature of Montessori education & I don't feel that was the case. I felt judgement here & that my child was seen as a problem rather than a child struggling. I didn't get this sense from all the staff, but I shouldn't have gotten this sense from any of the staff. I don't feel like the school was equipped for my child, even as she is now with a dx & medication. It's one thing to have a child led school with child led curriculum, but another thing to effectively lead a child & it starts with how you interact with them, not what you try to teach them. Once when I went to pick up my child she'd found a ladybug. When I got there the lead teacher said, "Here at CP, we don't keep the bugs. You must leave it here." & began the campaign to tell her to put the bug down. I stepped in & said something like cool ladybug, let's go find him a great home. We did & she left without issue. It seems super small, but instead of leading my child, the teacher put herself in a position of authoritative conflict. For ADHD kids who have higher rates of ODD this is not ideal. When I had my child tested, the psychologist sent questionnaires to her lead teacher. Each of the questionnaires is given a bias score. The responses received from the CP lead teacher were flagged for negative bias, indicating that they could be excessively critical or judgmental. Specific to aftercare, a lot of the staff was just kids in the high school class. Once at pickup I was met by the director because my child was refusing to go back into the building & the conversation I had with her wasn't encouraging. She kind of ranted about how this was a business & she was going to have to raise aftercare prices. The conversation lacked the professionalism I would expect & instead of being centered on helping my child it felt more like, "take a look at your child not listening to an adult & hear about how it affects my business." Less important than the educational stewardship of my ND child, I paid Aug & Sep tuition, Aug & Sep aftercare, & a material fee. My child attended the school 8/15-9/23 & aftercare 8/15-9/8. When I asked about a prorated refund I was blown off. I paid for 2 full months of aftercare for 19 days. & I paid for 2 full months of tuition for 30 days. I doubt my child utilized $500 worth of the material fee I paid.

We've had a truly wonderful experience at Clay-Platte Montessori School over the past two years…read more From our very first tour with Lishchkaya (who became Head of School shortly after we started), we felt welcomed and seen. We were drawn to Montessori principles, but what really impressed us was seeing how beautifully those ideas are lived out in the classrooms. Our son was in a Primary classroom with Mark as the lead guide, and we watched him grow so much in his independence, confidence, and curiosity. The teachers and staff are top-notch: patient, caring, and incredibly intentional in how they observe and support each child's development. The access to nature has also been a huge highlight. Whether it's exploring the creek or building outside, our child came home full of stories and wonder from his outdoor experiences. And beyond just academics, he learned real, practical life skills (things like how to care for his space, solve problems, and take initiative), which we know will serve him well long after he's left the classroom. One of the things we appreciated most was how well they got to know our child and us. It's a place where relationships matter, where each child is respected as an individual, and where learning is joyful and meaningful. We couldn't have asked for a better foundation for our son's early education, and we're so grateful to have been part of the CPMS community.

It's an interesting nature center with some hiking trails. My kids all enjoyed it. It has a gift…read moreshop as well if you want to buy souvenirs.

We went this past weekend with our 4-year-old and 21 month old. The trails that were open were well…read moremaintained. I really liked that some of the trails were paved. We had a loop in mind to let the kids see the creek. The closed trails weren't marked anywhere so we ran into places where we just had to backtrack the same way twice. I will be back but I probably won't take my kids again until I know which trails are closed. There was also a lot of nettles along the trail so I had to keep my son away from those.

The YMCA provides a summer camp program for kids to attend. I was very excited for my 7 year old to…read moreattend this year. That excitement was diminished after SEVERAL instances. Not only do they not pay any attention to the children there, but they made kids clean bathrooms (no PPE provided and using harsh chemicals) at the college as punishment. They promised fun activities/field trips and he's not gotten to do anything due to other kids acting out, everyone is punished. One day I picked up my child and he was sitting in the hallway, by himself, crying with a terrible headache. I was not contacted at all that he wasn't feeling well and in pain. Yesterday I did receive a phone call that he was "accidently" hit, but had no more information for me because no one was around to watch them. He was hit in the mouth, which caused his tooth to be knocked so loose that it was barely hanging there. He had blood on his face, so no one even bothered to clean him up, get an ice pack for swelling, and didn't punish the kid that hit him on purpose. DO NOT send your child here during the summer. Worst decision I've made. Pulled him from camp 3 weeks early because I couldn't stomach him going even one more day. And as a single, working mother it's very hard to find another option for him so last minute. Again, DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILD TO THE SUMMER CAMP AT THE YMCA!!

From the owner: Our goal is to help children and adults live longer, better and healthier lives by providing…read moreprograms, services and activities to help combat obesity, inactivity and chronic disease, with a participation reaching 25% of the St. Joseph population.

i love you guys you make me smile! i beileive in god & jesus forver and ever and everread more

What a wonderful place. I had the privilege of staying here in a recent trip to the Kansas City…read moreArea. The Heartland Center is a retreat and conference center run by the Presbyterian Church with a variety of levels of accommodations from hotel-style rooms to campgrounds to dorm style. Food is served in a dining hall and activities include horseback riding, ropes courses, a pool and more. The Staff it great, conference rooms are perfect for many sizes of events and the space is overall very clean. If you need a place to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, a home base from which to explore the KC area or a site to hold a company or church training/retreat, be sure to put the Heartland Center on your list.

Had no idea that Camp Fire (kinda like Scouts but more inclusive and outdoor-based) is…read moreheadquartered in KC. I was invited to their auction, Skylines and Sweets, and it was wonderful- although I was surprised it was a dry event. I think people bid more if they've been drinking too. ;) It was fun to learn about all that Camp Fire offers for kids and does for the community. And the auction items were wonderful- trips, experiences, jewelry, etc. I'll definitely attend their next event.

From the owner: Camp Fire Heartland is a nonprofit youth development organization serving children and families…read moreacross Kansas City and the surrounding metro area. For the past five years, we’ve provided high-quality summer camps, after-school programs, clubs, and enrichment experiences that help kids grow in confidence, build real-world skills, and discover their unique spark. Our all-day summer camps in Kansas City offer a safe, engaging environment where kids stay active, make friends, and learn through hands-on experiences. Campers enjoy a balanced mix of outdoor play, STEM activities, sports, creative arts, and social-emotional learning, designed to support the whole child. From nature exploration and team challenges to coding, robotics, and problem-solving, our programs keep kids curious and connected all summer long. During the school year, we operate licensed before- and after-school programs that provide reliable, affordable care for working families. Our programs emphasize student-led activities, free play, collaboration, and leadership, creating a welcoming space where every child belongs. Camp Fire Heartland proudly serves families in both Kansas and Missouri, with a strong focus on equitable access. Scholarships and subsidies help ensure that high-quality summer camp and after-school care are available to families who need it most. If you’re searching for a trusted summer camp in Kansas City or a meaningful after-school program, Camp Fire Heartland is here for your family.

What a lovely place! I recently took a bead making class here and it was thoroughly enjoyable from…read morestart to finish. It was difficult picking just one class because there were so many of them I wanted to take. Lawrence Arts Center has so much to offer all age groups. My class was a human hodge podge of ages and experience. The building is stunning. You are immediately taken in by the color collections and the great use of space and light of this building. Everywhere you look there is alluring and interesting artwork. Even the elevator interior is adorned with colorful sunflower art. This is a happy place, a very happy place. The classrooms are spacious and light. They have all sorts of cool equipment for the students to create their artwork. The instructors are all very knowledgeable and experienced in their craft. I was very impressed with the accommodations provided. There is ample parking and a parking garage is located across the street. There is no issue with access. All in all this is a terrific asset to the city. If you have some time on your hands and find yourself downtown, this is the place to be!

I'm not a particularly artistic person, but we stopped in here on our trip to Lawrence. I was very…read moreimpressed with the building, sleek and clean. I was also impressed by the sheer number of programs they boast here from theater and singing, metal working, pressing, painting, sculpture, etc. Many of these can be seen on display in the galleries about the building. They also have early school and learning centers attached. It makes for a very cool place for the arts crowd to gather.

This review is for the Ernie Miller summer camp offered here each year through Johnson County Parks…read moreand Rec. as we've been sending one of our kids here for most of the summer. I honestly wasn't sure what to expect from an outside nature camp, but pulling up to Ernie Miller each day something that's made really clear from the staff is how dedicated they are to making sure your kids have a fun time all summer long. The camp counselors are super engaging and great with the kids. I love that my kiddo gets to learn about local animals and nature while at Ernie Miller, and also that they go on fun field trips which spice things up each week. Additionally they are on top of weather changes and take the kids inside if there is lightning. I've been watching as a new facility is being built at Ernie Miller and I can't wait to come back sometime when they are done and further explore the nature trails and the new building.

I have been to Ernie Miller many times over the years and I love this place. I was a little…read moredisappointed on today's visit with my toddler grandson. The staff member was nice who greeted us. And we were actually the only people on the inside of the nature center, so we got to enjoy it in a peaceful environment. There were some field trip kids having event events outside. My grandson enjoyed exploring, but I was disappointed to see that quite a few of the displays were out of order. Also, I had to tell staff that there was a mouse in bird nature viewing area. A child had left a cracker, and apparently a mouse had gotten in was taking advantage of it! But then I went into the newer section with the displays and another mouse ran out and was running around the room towards my grandson. So I think they need to correct this issue before it gets too out of hand. The trails are great and the natural gardens are as well. They have some great programs for the community. I just think that some of the displays need to be fixed and taking care of the pest problem, I'm sure if they let the hawk in there he would handle it! lol

The staff are always friendly and always cleaning the machines. We joined in May in the middle of…read moreCovid and I have been impressed how they have handled it. They take temperatures and insure you as well as everyone else wears masks - I've heard them remind people to put masks over mouth and nose. They also had been remodeling and gotten new equipment in late 2020. It's a friendly environment and has nice equipment - a variety of aerobic machines, track, basketball courts, indoor pool, new weight and pulley machines in December 2020, weights including barbells, kettlebells plus dumbbells from 5-120 lbs.

Positive - Clean facility, great pool, decent basketball courts, good indoor track, no lines. If…read moreyou are a local resident, t's VERY CHEAP!! Negatives - adult staff is rude and uninterested in any sort of customer service. All remaining staff seem to be teenage kids with no form of managed structure, proper training and interest in working at all. You hear "No" from the management staff and "I don't know" from all the rest - if you can break into their conversation among themselves. Keep a close eye on any valuables. There are cameras, but no one is ever looking at them. Many areas are unsupervised. Note to management: every person there needs customer service training and all of your employees need to learn what is offered at your facility or simply remove them from the front desk. You don't need five of them at the front desk anyway.

My daughter was spoke to sexually by a long time manager, Wally was the name the young employees…read moreused. She is seven and was told by this grown man that she would be made to kiss boys if she didn't walk across the beam right. When she started crying and stated she was uncomfortable he made fun of her and told her to get over it. A second mother also said her child was made to feel uncomfortable by this man. I told them I would be closely watching him from now on and that a man old enough to have grey hair should know better than to speak that way to a seven year old girl and then laugh at her uncomfortableness. Instead of handling him both of my children were kicked out of their facility by email instead of them making it a safe place. I suggest if you have daughters to ask them what Wally has been saying to them.

Friendly and professional place for some of the highest quality gymnastics instruction in this…read morecountry.