Day 5 — Sunday, July 5 🦇
The big day trip: Meramec Caverns near Sullivan. Cool underground, packed family lunches, pizza out.
At a Glance
| Block | Plan |
|---|---|
| Early morning | Cold grab-&-go breakfast; load up, hit the road (~1½–2 hr) |
| Late morning | Meramec Caverns tour (a constant 60°F!) |
| Midday | 📦 Each family’s packed lunch; skip the hottest hours underground |
| Afternoon | Gemstone sluice / river / gift shop — stay cool |
| Evening | 🍕 Pizza out on the drive back to camp |
Why This Is The Day Trip
Everyone flagged the cave as a must, so it gets a full, scheduled day. Bonus: the guided tour is a constant 60°F—the perfect way to spend the hottest day of the week out of the heat instead of melting at camp. See the Meramec Caverns day-trip guide for details.
Morning — Get Rolling Early
- Cold grab-&-go breakfast (cereal, yogurt, fruit, bagels; coffee to-go) so we beat the heat and the crowds. (Meal schedule.)
- Caravan to Meramec Caverns (~1½–2 hr)—it’s off I-44 near Stanton/Sullivan, MO.
- Everyone packs their own family lunch before we leave (cave day = self-packed). (Food Plan.)
Late Morning — The Cave 🦇
- Meramec Caverns guided tour — about 1 hr 20 min, paved, lit, level walking; great for all ages.
- Bring a light layer (it’s 60°F inside) and closed-toe shoes.
- Book/confirm tour times ahead in summer — call (573) 468-3166.
Midday — Lunch & Stay Cool
- 📦 Packed family lunches (sandwiches, chips, fruit) at a shady picnic spot or by the Meramec River. Stay out of the 1–3 p.m. heat.
- Optional kid add-ons at the complex: gemstone/arrowhead sluice, the river boat ride, and the zipline—each its own ticket.
Afternoon — Cool & Easy
- Linger in the cool: the sluice, the river, the gift shop, ice cream.
- Keep an eye on energy and the sky; start winding toward dinner.
Evening — Pizza Out 🍕
- Grab pizza on the drive back (or back near Troy)—no camp cooking tonight. A well-earned night off for the cooks.
- Roll back to camp for a low-key campfire (or straight to bed for tired kids).
Heat-smart plan: an early start + a 60°F cave + pizza out means we skip cooking and the worst of the heat. If anyone wants a slower day, a few folks can stay back at camp (beach, fishing, naps) while the rest do the cave.
Decision not yet made: the pizza spot (near Sullivan vs. back toward Troy) isn’t picked yet—settle it in the group chat.