River Education
Learning from the River, Together
At Missouri River Relief, we believe the Missouri River is a powerful teacher. Our education programs are designed to spark curiosity, deepen connection, and inspire care—for the river, our communities, and ourselves.
Each program we offer is rooted in hands-on, place-based learning that meets people where they are. We prioritize inclusion, equity, and accessibility so that all learners—regardless of background—can experience the transformative power of the river.
Current Program Status
We’re so grateful for the overwhelming interest in our education programs. At this time, we’ve reached full capacity and are unable to accept new school or group registrations for field trips or on-the-river experiences. But there are still meaningful ways to bring the river to your classroom—no bus required.
Explore our Traveling Trunk Programs, packed with hands-on materials and ready-to-use lesson plans; dive into our Virtual Field Trip video series, perfect for sparking student curiosity; or browse our Education Resources Page for activities, guides, and tools designed to connect students with the Missouri River from wherever they are.
Have questions? We’re here to help: riverrelief@riverrelief.org
Our Education Philosophy
Our Approach to Learning
We design every program around six core beliefs and fourteen supporting design principles:
1. Broad Contexts for Learning
We connect the river to science, art, history, health, and more—because learning doesn't live in a silo. The design principles that support this belief are an interdisciplinary approach and collaborative partnerships.
2. Transformative Power of the River
Nothing compares to being on the river. Our programs are immersive, authentic, and anchored in the landscape, encouraging wonder and reflection. This belief is supported through four design principles: fostering connection to place, authenticity of experience, experiential learning at the river, and cultivating awe and respect.
3. Scientific Inquiry for Empowerment
We believe in the power of asking questions. Participants gain tools to investigate, problem-solve, and think critically about river issues and beyond. Deepening understanding is the design principle used to bring this belief to life in our programs.
4. Commitment to Quality
We continuously improve our programs to ensure every experience is impactful, safe, and welcoming. We support our crew and staff so they can bring their best to every learner, every time. The design principles for this belief are continuous improvement, support for staff and crew members, and promoting safety through risk management.
5. Cycle of River Learning
Our framework follows a rhythm: Invitation → Exploration → Concept Invention → Application → Reflection. This cycle supports inclusive, meaningful, and lasting learning experiences. We design our programs to support academic achievement and use learning centered instruction.
6. Fostering Equity & Inclusion
Everyone deserves to feel seen, respected, and safe while learning on the river. We design our programs to use radical hospitality and to have inclusive and accessible learning.
Core Competencies
Our participants grow as:
- River Neighbor –Recognizing relationships between plants, animals, water, landforms, and people as neighbors in a shared system.
- River Investigator – Making observations, identifying patterns, using critical thinking, and learning to think scientifically.
- River Storyteller –Engage with multiple perspectives to identify how the river has changed over time and how they can be empowered as river stewards.
Professional Development
While we’re not enrolling new groups right now, here’s a look at the kinds of programs we offer to support formal and informal educators with hands-on, place-based training that brings the river into the classroom and community.
- Missouri River Curriculum Introduction (On the River – Half Day or Full Day)
Experience the Missouri River firsthand and learn how to integrate our standards-aligned curriculum into your teaching.
- Integrating the Missouri River in Your Classroom (On the River – Two Days)
Dive deeper with immersive activities, river excursions, and peer collaboration focused on weaving river studies into your lessons.
School Programs
While we are not accepting new field trip registrations at this time, we offer several classroom-based and remote options that connect students with the river—no bus required.
- Missouri River Days (4th grade field trip)
We believe the best way to learn about the Missouri River is to spend time with it. That’s why the Missouri River Day field trip takes students out every year to experience the Missouri River for themselves.
Click HERE to learn more. - Exploring the Big Muddy: A Virtual Field Trip
Check out our virtual field trip to learn about the river from home or the classroom. This 27-minute video covers six 4th grade science and social studies standards and has a companion lesson to support students' learning.
Click HERE to learn more. - Missouri River Scientist Traveling Trunk (lesson plan and materials)
Missouri River Scientists is a traveling trunk program designed to engage students and teachers with the plight of an endangered fish called the Pallid Sturgeon.
Click HERE to learn more. - Clean Rivers Start at Home Traveling Trunk (lesson plan and materials)
Clean Rivers Start at Home is a traveling trunk program engaging students with the creation, use, and impacts of single-use plastics.
Click HERE to learn more. - Missouri River Detectives (lesson plan)
Missouri River Detectives is a video-based resource that is driven by questions from real students to help guide classroom exploration of the Missouri River.
Click HERE to learn more.
Public Education programs
We offer several types of public educational programs throughout the year. All with the goal of connecting people with the Missouri River.
- Catfishing Gear Library and Lessons
You can check out the gear to try catfishing on your own or you can join a free lesson with our catfishing instructors. We’re here to make catfishing on the river easy and accessible for everyone.
Click HERE to learn more. - Big Muddy Speaker Series
The Big Muddy Speaker Series is a series of free presentations that you can attend to learn about Missouri River’s ecology, history and more. The talks are presented by different guest speakers who bring their expertise to be shared with you.
Click HERE to learn more. - Mornings at the River
Mornings at the river is a program for children ages 0 to 5 years old designed to connect children and their families to the Missouri River. This is a free program, but it requires registration due to limited parking.
Click HERE to learn more. - Missouri River Adventure Camp
Adventure camp is five unforgettable days of summer camp for ages 9 through 13. The camp is designed to build a genuine, lasting relationship between young people and the Missouri River through hands-on learning, conservation work, river history, and community.
Click HERE to learn more.
Equity, Inclusion and Cultural Relevance
Missouri River Relief believes in the importance of equity, inclusion and cultural relevance in our community. That is why we embrace our responsibility to work towards equity and inclusion throughout our programs. Together we rise to address the cultural factors that drive inequity and exclusion so that we have the ability to effectively reach and connect students to the Missouri River.
We work to ensure that every student, regardless of ability, age, cultural background, ethnicity, faith, gender, gender identity, ideology, income, national origin, race or sexual orientation has the opportunity to have a safe, fun, and enriching experience with us.