River Relief

January 7, 2020

2020 Missouri River Adventure Camp

Students making new friendships while exploring the Missouri River. 

Day Summer Camp 

• July 20- July 24
• 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
• Columbia, Missouri 
• Age: 7-11 years old

Tution: $170 per student

CANCELLED in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic 

Please Stay Tune for an Alternative Program and/or Come Back in November 2020 to register for 2021 Summer!

Response to COVID-19 Pandemic

Updated May 18th, 2020: Each summer, families entrust us with a part of their heart–their children. It is an incredible responsibility that we are honored to have during our Missouri River Adventure Camp. Over the last few weeks we have taken a balanced and active approach to the Covid-19 pandemic. After our most recent consultation with the American Camping Association guidelines, in coordination with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, our staff have made the difficult decision to cancel Missouri River Adventure Camp as scheduled.

The health and well-being of everyone during Missouri River Adventure Camp is our highest priority. While we are heartbroken by this decision, the Covid-19 pandemic compels all of us to deal with forces beyond our control. We will be offering our families the option of a full refund through Columbia Parks & Recreation Department.  

We are thinking of our families as they share this disappointing news with their children, and we want to be there for them. We know that there are no substitutes for the real “river camp magic”, but we will be exploring ways to connect and meet the evolving needs of our campers, families, and local communities. 

During the coming weeks, we’ll learn more about what is possible, and we will be in touch with families about these opportunities. Alternative programs might include small re-imagined river clean ups, content in different formats for campers from our staff or family river trips. We hope that no matter the programs we are able to offer, we will be able to provide financial assistance to the families that have been experiencing hardship during these times. 

About Missouri River Adventure Camp 

Are you Ready for a Watershed Adventure?

Explore the Missouri River by motorboat and by land! Be prepared to witness majestic birds, catch slimy fish, investigate wondrous forest critters and create your own critter from found objects. Field trips will be around Columbia, Missouri and include Rock Bridge State Park, Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area, and motorboating on the Missouri River. 

Pick Up & Drop Off 

Each day will begin and end at the Waters-Moss Memorial Wildlife Area in Columbia, Missouri. Drop off will be from 7:45am-8:30am and pick up will be from 4:30pm-5:15pm. Simple activities and access to the playground will be provided during pick up and drop off times. Offical Missouri River Adventure Camp activities will start and end between 8:30 am – 4:30 pm. Please arrive promptly as we will often be traveling for field trips. 

Program Schedule 

Want to know what a typical day is like at the Missouri River Adventure Camp? Review the schedule below or download the detailed program schedule. These schedule outlines the variety of activities and experiences that range from motorboat rides, water coloring, stream exploration and a river clean up. This schedule could be subject to change due to weather and availability of resources during the program. 

Monday: Welcome to Missouri River Adventure Camp

• Field Trip Location: Rock Bridge State Park
• Activities: Get to Know You Activities, Hiking, Stream Exploration and Missouri River Olympics. 

Tuesday: Connecting to the Missouri River

• Field Trip Location: Missouri River-Near Katfish Katy’s 
• Activities: On-the-River Experience on Motorboats, Water coloring, Knot Tying, and Missouri River Olympics. 

Wednesday: Behind the Scenes of the Missouri River 

• Field Trip Location: Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area
• Activities: Birding, Fishing, Hiking, Education Film (inside) and Missouri River Olympics.

Thursday: Forces that Shape the Missouri River 

• Field Trip Location: Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area
• Activities: Visiting Bur Oak Tree, Land-Based Clean Up, Creative Art Project and Missouri River Olympics.  

Friday: Connecting Others to the Missouri River

• Field Trip Location: Waters-Moss Memorial Wildlife Area
• Activities: Creative Art Project, Missouri River Olympics, Student Presentations & Closing Celebration 

Missouri River Creative Art Project 

During the Missouri River Adventure Camps, students will work in partners to use art to communicate about a Missouri River related issue. At the end of their experience, 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 Friday at Waters-Moss Memorial Wildlife Area. 

Registration Process 

If you are applying for financial aid, please refer to the "Financial Aid" section below. You will need to complete this process before registering.

• Tution is $170 per student and includes activites plus two snacks. Students will be requred to pack a lunch. 

1. Registration opens up on March 4th, 2020 and is through the Columbia Parks & Recreation website. Unfortunately, it is not easy, so we recommend the following. Use the link, it will take you to a search form. Enter this number (303917) into the "Activity Number" field and then click search. This should pull up the Missouri River Adventure Camp.

• Online Registration Link--Activity Number 303917 

2. 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: student medical form and general risk release form. 

Financial Aid Available 

Financial aid is available to qualified participants. To apply for financial aid, download a pdf of the form financial aid, fill it in and mail  it 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. Do NOT register before you are notified.   

Missouri River Adventure Camp Staff 

Kristen Schulte, Education Director 

Kristen has over 14 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.

Laura Waldo-Semken, AmeriCorps VISTA: Education Assistant 

Laura grew up in Kansas City, fell in love with the Kansas River in Lawrence, moved to Iowa and proceeded to fall in love with all the rivers that lead to the Mississippi. She has been a part of the environmental education community in Iowa for 19 years, leading wildlife camps for children ages 5-15. Laura will assist in the organization, implementation, and marketing of education programs targeting title one schools and community organizations that work with low-income individuals. 

Kevin Tosie, Operations Manager 

Kevin first became interested in the Missouri River in 2015 after helping organize a clean-up with Missouri River Relief and two student organizations, Sustain Mizzou and the Student Environment Coalition of UMKC. Since then, he has been addicted to the Missouri River and all its beauty. After graduating from the University of Missouri - Columbia with a degree in forestry, he became MRR's full-time event coordinator, organizing clean-up events throughout the Lower Missouri River Region.

Steve Schnarr, Exective Director 

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.