River Relief

April 29, 2019

2019 Missouri River Academy

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

Student Summer Camp

• July 7-11, 2019
• 5 days and 4 nights
• New Haven, Missouri

Tuition: $400 per student

Registration is Full! 

To be added to the waitlist, email kristen@riverrelief.org  

Please come back in November 2019 to register for 2020!

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 

"What a great, well-organized experience! Registration, communication, and scheduling was so much better than we have experienced anywhere else. Programming, well, I was jealous of the programming and I am 43". -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 
Riding Bikes on the Katy Trail 

Academy in the Media! 

Read about a return participants account of the Missouri River Academy in the Washington Missourian Newspaper. 

View pictures of the Missouri River Academy on our Flick Account. 

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, water coloring, fishing, swimming and even riding bikes. 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 Creative Art Project 

During the Missouri River Academy, students will work in partners to identify an issue that in some way affects the Missouri River. They will conduct research - using MRR resources - to develop a creative solution that addresses their given problem. Students will learn how to use art to communicate about their issue and each student will have the option to share their messages in a public presentation.  

Family and Friends are invited to Missouri River Creative Art Project!

At the end of the Academy, students will present their Missouri River Creative Art Project to an audience of engaged Missouri River advocates. Family and friends are welcome to come and learn about what has sparked their student’s interest. The presentation will take place on Thursday, July 11th, at 2:00 pm at Old New Haven School House at 810 Maupin Street, New Haven, Mo 63068.

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 is  –  June 28  
• Notification of Awards  – Mid-April 
• Enrollment –  June 27
• Registration – June 27

ReCap of Previous Years

2015 

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

2016

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

2017

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

2018

• Click here for photo's from 2018 Missouri River Academy
• Click here for the blog from 2018 Missouri River Academy 

2019

• Click here for photo's from 2019 Missouri River Academy
• Click here for the blog from 2019 Missouri River Academy 

Missouri River Academy Staff

Kristen Schulte, Education Director 

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.

For any questions, e-mail or call 573.443.0292.