Discover the Missouri River through experiential, place-based educational programming that connects students from across the state to the Missouri River. Our menu of presentations and field trip options can be found below. We also invite you to collaborate with our staff to develop your own program that meets your needs.
Complement your classroom lesson or monthly meeting by requesting a presentation!
We teach a wide variety of subjects at Missouri River Relief. As part of most presentations, Missouri River Relief will facilitate a hands-on activity and provide all of the needed materials. When you book your presentation, you will have the opportunity to select from the following list:
Missouri River Relief: Connect, Care, Act
What inspires a group of people to clean-up the Missouri River and dedicate their life to connecting people to this cultural and natural treasure? In this presentation, participants will learn about why Missouri River Relief cares about cleaning up the Missouri River and how you can jump aboard and join our dedicated crew at the next Missouri River Clean-Up near you.
The Incredible Missouri River
In this presentation, participants will build their knowledge and understanding of the Missouri River while learning about the ecology and history of the Missouri River through experiential and place-based activities.
Missouri River Relief: Education Booth
Would you like us to engage participants at a booth during your event or festival? Our education booth highlights unique river trash treasures and the impacts of litter on a river ecosystem while promoting some of the ways to get involved with Missouri River Relief.
Customize your program to maximize connections to your student's learning. Choose from suggested activities or propose something new!
If you customize your own presentation, you will be asked on the presentation request form to describe what you are looking for in the presentation.
Bring your participants to one of nature’s most incredible classrooms—the Missouri River!
Our programs focus on the practices of science and align with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Students actively participate in activities by making observations, asking questions, and constructing explanations about what they find. Through hands-on experiences, our programs seek to engage participants’ innate sense of wonder and natural curiosity to explore the Missouri River, fostering a deeper connection and sense of responsibility to its care and stewardship.
We can accommodate kindergarten through college. Trips are focused in central Missouri and we can accommodate between 30-250 students per day. We also offer teacher professional development opportunities.
Download our Missouri River Education Field Trip Policy to learn more.
Our field trips provide a wide variety of opportunities for participants to engage with the Missouri River. All field trips include a motorboat experience. Field trips are categorized under four different tracks, depending on the primary goal of the field trip and group size.
Investigating the Missouri River (Science - Medium Groups: 30 to 60 participants per day)
Experience science Missouri River Relief style! Leave your lab coats and pocket protectors behind. Participants investigate the mysteries behind the longest river in North America and learn what makes it tick. The cottonwood forests and the river will be the laboratory. Participants might get the chance to get up-close and personal with the fish that call the Missouri River home, go on a hike through a Missouri River bottomland forest, create a watercolor sketch while exploring the journals of Lewis & Clark and go for a one-of-a-kind learning experience that incorporates a motorboat ride where participants will learn about the channelization of the river from knowledgeable staff.
Stewardship on the Missouri River (Service Learning- Medium Groups: 30 to 60 participants per day)
Students divide into stewardship teams to learn through laughter, challenge, and making a difference on the Missouri River. They will spend half of their time developing teamwork skills through a variety of fun challenges and half of their time working together in service to the Missouri River. This service involves digging tires out of the muddy, picking up dozens of plastic bottles and finding unique river trash. Through these activities, the student will get to know one another, the Missouri River, and themselves much better.
Missouri River Days (Science - Large Groups: 125 to 250 participants per day)
Missouri River Relief created the Missouri River Days program because every student should be afforded the opportunity to connect with the Missouri River. This is a one of a kind on-the-river learning experience. This program is similar to “Investigating the Missouri River” but it allows for the possibility of a large group or grade level to visit the Missouri River.
Missouri River Excursions (Experiential—Small Groups: 30 or fewer participants per day)
All aboard! Discover the cultural and natural wonders of the Missouri River. This is your chance to be a river explorer! Our custom excursions near Columbia incorporate spectacular views of limestone bluffs, Bald Eagles' nests, and prehistoric artwork, as well as insider’s knowledge about the river imparted by our organization. Every moment brings a new experience and fosters a deeper understanding for our beloved Missouri River.
If we did not answer your question about our programs, check out our Field Trip FAQ's.
Customize your program to maximize connections to your student's learning. Choose from suggested activities or propose something new!
If you customize your own program, you will be asked on the Field Trip Request Form to describe what you are looking for on the field trip.
Field trips are based on the Missouri River and are focused on the central Missouri area. We operate out of four area boat ramps. When determining which location please research the distance and travel time from your location. Our central Missouri boat ramps include:
Once we receive your request, we will contact you with a program proposal that includes a breakdown of the field trip cost. Examples of costs associated with programs include motorboat usage and operators, program coordination, materials, lunch for volunteers and a port-a-potty rental. This program proposal will not include bus transportation or participant lunches.
As a non-profit organization, we understand that not every school or organization has the funds to cover the program cost. Missouri River Relief has limited funds available for financial aid and we aim to share this resource with as many schools or organizations as possible. We ask that schools or organizations contribute to their ability and seek additional funding from other sources.
We have compiled a Funding Guide for Teachers for your convenience.
If you have any questions check out our Field Trip FAQ or contact Kristen Schulte at kristen@riverrelief.org 573-443-0292. If you are interested in volunteering for one of our public Missouri River Clean-Ups, please contact our Operations Manager, Kevin Tosie, at kevin@riverrelief.org or call (573) 442-0292 to begin the registration process.
