River Relief

April 19, 2017

2017 Missouri River Academy

Students get a unique opportunity to make new friends while developing a hands-on relationship with the Missouri River. 

High School Student Summer Camp

• July 9-13, 2017
• 5 days and 4 nights
• New Haven, Missouri

Tuition: $400 per student
Registration is now CLOSED 

Please come back January 2018 to register for next summer!

Are you a High School Student in 8th-12th Grade Wondering How to Spend Your Summer? 

Connect with the natural and cultural history of the Missouri river through adventure, exploration, and investigation. Discover the river ecosystems and the natural forces that shaped them. Understand how human choices have affected the river’s rhythm and flow. Knowledgeable and experienced instructors will guide you through hands-on activities that will give you the understanding, skills and confidence to enjoy, make use of and protect the Missouri River.

What Parents Have to Share 

"My son is still bringing up things he learned and did at the Missouri River Academy. The Academy was better than outstanding, not only did he learn about the river, he learned teamwork, problem-solving and looking at the environment in a whole new way. The impact on his life cannot be understated; he seems surer of himself and his love of science grew. " -Parent

“She is a different young woman after the Missouri River Academy.  She has a new standard for fun, connection, and community. I don’t know if the rest of her life will measure up.  Thank you a thousand times. She wants to know how she can do more and soon!” -Parent

What Participants Have to Say!

What was your favorite part of the Missouri River Academy?

Being on the river, especially at night!
The food was the best! 
Making new friends
Learning about the history of the river 
Doing a river clean up and finding cool trash
Water coloring the river
Swimming at Camp Trinity 
Studying live fish and birds
Packing the CSA boxes for Avant Garden 
Visiting a native American burial mound 

About the Missouri River Academy 

Program Schedule 

Want to know what a typical day is like at the Academy? Download the program schedule. This schedule outlines the variety of activities and experiences that range from motorboat rides, watercoloring, fishing, swimming and even trying caviar. This schedule could be subject to change due to weather and availability of resources during the program. 

Information Packet 

Want to know what to expect? Download the information packet. This packet contains a schedule, lodging and dining information, a packing list, driving directions, travel information, and general policies.

Missouri River Action Project 

During the Missouri River Academy, students will complete a Missouri River Action Project; Students will begin their individual projects by choosing an issue to explore and mapping its impact. Then he or she will focus on an issue-related goal and objective they can achieve in their community and develop a plan for getting community members involved.

Family and Friends are invited to their Presentation!

At the end of the Academy, students will present their project to an audience of engaged Missouri River advocates. Family and friends are welcome to come and learn about what issues on the Missouri River sparked their student’s interest and the plan that each has developed to address an issue in her or his community. The presentation will take place at the end of the Academy on Thursday, July 13th, at 1:00 pm at Camp Trinity at 39 Camp Trinity Drive, New Haven MO 63068. Please note this location has changed to Camp Trinity. 

If we didn't answer your question, then please check out our FAQ!

Registration Process

1. If you are applying for financial aid, please refer to the "Financial Aid" section below. You will need to complete this process before registering. Financial Aid recipients will receive a separate registration link when they are awarded financial aid. 

2. If you are not applying for financial aid, please complete the online enrollment process here or by calling 573.443.0292. Please have your payment information ready when enrolling. 

3. After completing the enrollment/payment process, download a pdf of the registration packet, fill it out and mail to P.O. Box 463, Columbia, MO 65205 or e-mail. The packet contains the following forms: (a) student medical form, (b) general risk release form, (c) student standards of behavior agreement, and (d) travel form. 

Financial Aid

Financial aid is available to qualified participants. To apply for financial aid, download a pdf of the financial aid application, fill it in and mail to P.O. Box 463, Columbia, MO or e-mail.

We will begin awarding financial aid mid-April and then continue making awards on a rolling basis until all available funds are awarded. We are typically able to notify financial aid applicants of the amount we are able to award within a month of receiving an application. The applicant will then be given a deadline and separate link to register for the course. Do NOT register before you are notified of your award.  

Registration Deadlines            

• Financial Aid Application –  June 14  
• Notification of Awards  – Mid-April 
• Enrollment –  June 28
• Registration – June 28

ReCap of Previous Years

2015 

• Click here for photos from 2015 Missouri River Academy 
• Click here for blog from 2015 Missouri River Academy 

2016

• Click here for photo's from 2016 Missouri River Academy
• Click here for blog from 2016 Missouri River Academy 

2017

• Click here for photo's from 2017 Missouri River Academy
• Click here for blog from 2017 Missouri River Academy 

Missouri River Academy Staff

Kristen Schulte, Education Coordinator 

The Missouri River Academy is managed by Kristen. She is responsible for the planning, designing, and implementation of the Academy. She has over ten years of experience in environmental education and an MS in Natural Science Education from Teton Science Schools Residential Graduate Program. In addition, she has been certified for over eight years as a Wilderness First Responder. In her role at Missouri River Relief, she works to advance MRR's mission of connecting people to the Missouri River through education.

Jan Weaver, Director of the Missouri Environmental Education Associaton 

Jan studied dinosaurs for her Masters and prairie spiders for her Ph.D. and did research on Missouri forest insects and spiders for several years after graduation. She was director of and taught in the Missouri Environmental Studies program for 17 years, and assistant science director and teacher for the MU Honors College for 9 years. She now works for the Missouri Environmental Education Association developing and promoting environmental education resources in Missouri. 

Jeff Barrow, Director 

Jeff has been involved in clean water issues for years, helping start Show-Me Clean Streams and Missouri River Relief to his work at Greenbelt Land Trust. Through the years, he has served as a coordinator and board member of Missouri River Relief. In addition, he is certified is American Red Cross Basic First Aid. Jeff has a deep love of the Missouri River and is a two-time veteran of the Missouri River 340 Paddle Race.

Steve Schnarr, Program Manager

Steve lives in Columbia, Mo., a stone’s throw from the Missouri River. His love for the river developed from years of exploring its waters by canoe. He was drawn to Missouri River Relief as a volunteer at local clean-ups, later serving as an event coordinator, MegaScout coordinator, MRR board member and is currently the Lower Reach Manager, Steve coordinates the River Relief crew, manages the website and communications and organizes clean-ups across the state. He is also certified in American Red Cross Basic First Aid.

Melanie Cheney, Assistant Program Manager

Melanie has been a volunteer crewmember with Missouri River Relief since 2002, working on clean-ups, special projects, and educational events.  As an AmeriCorps Stream Team Assistant, she networked with Stream Teams in the area, developed education programs and helped coordinate events. She is also certified in American Red Cross Basic First Aid.

For any questions, e-mail or call 573.443.0292.