Missouri River Relief partnered with Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland this October to introduce more people to the Missouri River. Participants had the opportunity to earn their Missouri River Explorer badge by partaking in hands-on activities such as a free motorboat ride, creating a watercolor of the river, going on a nature walk, and meeting some of the animals that call the Missouri River home. We had a total of 138 participants attend this program.
At the heart of this program is our Missouri River Explorer Badge. This badge encourages people to interact with different aspects of the river. We wanted to give the general public a chance to complete their very own badge. The Missouri River Explorer badge is gained upon the completion of the Missouri River Explorer Activity Card, which includes participation in activities and events that fall under the three tenets of the river. Explore, Learn and Protect. To see more photos from this program click here.
Photo by Stephen Bybee
Photo by Stephen Bybee
Photo by Stephen Bybee
Program attendees were encouraged to explore the natural world around them to form a connection with the great outdoors. Those in attendance at the program had the option to complete a bird scavenger hunt along the Katy Trail while experiencing the fall colors along the river. They also had the opportunity to take a free boat ride on the Missouri River with one of our experienced captains.
People of all ages learned about how the Missouri River interacts with their lives and the challenges it faces. Participants used their observation skills to make their very own watercolor of the Missouri River to bring home. Our special guests, Midwest Eyries taught the attendees all about local birds and WildHeart and sang all about the natural world.
Attendees were encouraged to protect their watershed for the use and enjoyment of their community. They created their very own haven for wildlife by creating a bug hotel. They also took home their very own Clean Up Kit with instructions on how to safely conduct their own clean-up, a trash bag, and gloves.
Missouri River Relief has partnered with Girls Scouts of the Missouri Heartland and AmeriCorps to bring Missouri River Explorers to Columbia. Support for this event has been provided by Mid-Missouri Solid Waste Management District.
