Missouri River Adventure Camp 
2026 Reflection 

Monday: Our First River Outing & Building Camp Community 

From the first moments of camp, our campers showed up with big curiosity and open hearts, ready to make new connections with each other and discover more about this river that runs through our lives. 

Campers excitedly loaded onto boats and set out exploring what makes the Missouri River special. Fossils revealed mysteries of the river’s past, studying the sediment showed us just how much it’s changed, and learning about the endangered pallid sturgeon sparked questions about the future. A stop on California Island gave campers a chance to stretch their legs, hunt for rocks and fossils, and leave the sandbar a little cleaner than they found it by picking up trash along the way. 

Back on land, the fun kept flowing! We played river-themed games that built our camp community, solved challenges like a true river crew, and battled for the world’s most legendary rock-paper-scissors title. 

To view pictures from day one, click here.  

Tuesday: Collecting Stories from a Historic River Town 

On day two, we took Missouri River Adventure Camp across the river, to a magical little place called Lupus. At this point, our campers were beginning to weave together the stories that the Missouri River has to offer, and the small river town of Lupus is chock-full of river stories.  

After taking a tour through the town and noticing the houses built on stilts and elevated foundations, campers listened to an oral history of Lupus and the 1993 flood from long-time resident Doug Elley. Doug’s fascinating stories captured campers’ attentions, and they listened like focused river reporters.  

After lunch, campers got a real treat—something that many have come to Lupus over the years to experience: a live musical performance in the Lupus General Store. Local musician and former Lupus resident, Ken Baker, shared his beautiful music with us and reminded us that music and the river always go hand in hand.  

It was a special kind of day to share together: where the future, the present, and the past all seem to meet for a moment along the river banks.  

To view photos from day two, click here. 

Wednesday: Becoming Missouri River Birders & Anglers 

On day three, campers had the chance to get up close and personal with the amazing creatures of the Missouri River! 

Campers tried their luck catfishing after learning tips and techniques from our experienced catfishing instructors. The river rewarded their patience with blue catfish and freshwater drum, giving campers the thrill of feeling a fish on the line and the chance to see these native species up close. 

On the banks, campers hiked beneath the cottonwoods and sycamores on a birding adventure led by the Missouri River Bird Observatory. They practiced slowing down and tuning into the sights and sounds along the trail, spotting ruby-throated hummingbirds and a soaring red-tailed hawk while discovering just how much life calls the river home. 

To view photos from day three of camp, click here. 

Thursday: Giving Back Through Stewardship 

On day four of Missouri River Adventure Camp, our campers worked hard and made a big impact. 

Campers geared up and got right to work with Missouri Conservation Corps to remove invasive bush honeysuckle alongside the MKT Trail in Columbia. They learned how to safely operate tools while helping create more space for native plants and animals to thrive. 

In the afternoon, we pulled on our gloves and headed into Flat Branch Creek to remove trash from the waterway. By the end of the cleanup, campers had filled 16 bags of trash and even managed to collect a soccer-playing rubber duck along the way. But it wasn’t all work! The creek also offered moments of pure kid joy. What could be better than crawdads, cool rocks, and plenty of creek splashing? 

On this day, campers got to show their care for this place through direct action. They weren’t just learning about our local ecosystems—they were an active part of them, helping create a healthier future for the Missouri River watershed and everyone who calls it home. 

To view photos from day four, click here. 

Friday: Getting Creative at Como Rocks! 

On our last day of Missouri River Adventure Camp, we simply couldn’t believe the fun was already over! But before we said goodbye, we made sure to celebrate the friends we made, the lessons learned from the river, and the lifelong memories created along the way.  

Campers reflected on their camp experience through a colorful, creative piece of art. Their “The Missouri River and Me” projects used different collage techniques to tell a story about their special, one-of-a-kind connection to the river. We watched as camp memories came to life on paper.  

In the afternoon we switched gears and heard from local climber, Will Palmieri, about one way humans have found connection to the Missouri River—through climbing it’s incredible bluffs! Then campers got to explore the thrills of climbing for themselves by taking on the walls at Como Rocks climbing gym. 

We ended the day by welcoming friends and family for a closing celebration where we reflected on the transformation that campers experienced throughout this past week. 

For more photos from our last day of camp, click here.