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Missouri River Academy

Cancelled in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic
After a successful summer of operating a virtual summer camp, we are preparing to operate virtually for our Summer 2021 camp programs. If you are interested in a 4 week combination of Camp in a Box and Virtual Camp for 4th-12th Graders in July visit our webpage.
Watershed Expeditions at Home

Are You Yearning For an Adventure this Summer?

We invite you to join our knowledgeable and experienced instructors for a week-long journey. You can be an explorer on the Missouri River and develop new river skills and knowledge. Investigate how this incredible river has changed over time and how you can help protect this natural and cultural treasure!

Overnight Camp Details

  • July 5th-9th, 2020
  • 5 days and 4 nights
  • New Haven, Missouri
  • Age: 13-17 years old 
  • Tuition: $400 per student

Registration Deadlines

  • Financial Aid Application  –  June 24, 2020
  • Notification of Awards  – Mid-April 
  • Enrollment –  June 24, 2020
  • Registration – June 24, 2020

Academy in the Media! 

Read about a return participants account of the Missouri River Academy in the Washington Missourian Newspaper. 

View pictures of the Missouri River Academy on our Flickr Account

Education Programs

Professional DevelopmentField Trips & PresentationsSummer CampsPast Education ProgramsBig Muddy Speaker Series

Resources

Missouri River Information PacketsMissouri River Virtual Field Trip 

Volunteer with Our Education Programs

Our education programs provide a variety of opportunities for volunteers to connect to the Missouri River. Are you interested in volunteering? E-mail our Education Director, Kristen Schulte
"What a great, well-organized experience! Registration, communication, and scheduling was so much better than we have experienced anywhere else. Programming, well, I was jealous of the programming and I am 43".
-Impressed Parent
“She is a different young woman after the Missouri River Academy. She has a new standard for fun, connection, and community. I don’t know if the rest of her life will measure up. Thank you a thousand times. She wants to know how she can do more and soon!”
-Happy Parent
"Thank you so much for providing this rich experience. He returned home so fired up about environmental issues and incorporating new practices. He's also inspired to do more for river and environmental issues in his long-term academic plans"
-Proud Parent

Learn More about Missouri River Academy 

Program Schedule & Information Packet

Program Schedule 

Want to know what a typical day is like at the Academy? Download the program schedule. This schedule outlines the variety of activities and experiences that range from motorboat rides, water coloring, fishing, swimming and even riding bikes. This schedule could be subject to change due to weather and the availability of resources during the program. 

Information Packet 

Want to know what to expect? Download the information packet. This packet contains lodging and dining information, a packing list, driving directions, travel information, and general policies.

Dining & Lodging Details 

Tucked away in the Missouri River Valley, is the community of New Haven, Missouri. At the Missouri River Academy, you will be mostly spending your time exploring the Missouri River while staying at Camp Trinity, perfectly poised 4 miles from the Missouri River. During your stay, you will enjoy the shade of the oak trees and the cool water of the in-ground swimming pool. 

Camp Trinity Information 

Camp Trinity is owned and operated by a local family and was established as a Lutheran retreat center in 1970s. There are religious symbols that are present at Camp Trinity; however, Missouri River Relief is not a religious organization. We are welcoming to all religions and spiritual worldviews. Please see additional information in the FAQ. 

Residence Lodge

During the Missouri River Academy, you will stay in a lodge. Each air-conditioned room will sleep 5 students, with 5 bunk beds; each room has a shared bathroom. The lodge rooms are simple and comfortable without the distractions of televisions or phones. 

Dining 

You will enjoy delicious, healthy meals in the dining lodge, courtesy of our caring and hard-working kitchen staff. We will provide breakfast and dinner in the dining lodge while lunches are eaten in the field. We will have snacks available throughout your stay and our kitchen staff is happy to accommodate special needs. In addition, if students would like to pray at meals, they are more than welcome too but we do not require anyone to pray. 

Allergies & Dietary Needs

When registering, simply indicate the student’s dietary needs on the registration packet. From there, the information goes to both our education coordinator and our food service director at Camp Trinity.  In the case of severe food allergies, our education coordinator will contact you prior to your student’s arrival to discuss any concerns.  It is our desire that all students be able to experience the Academy without concern or anxiety about dietary restrictions. Please see additional information in the information packet.

Missouri River Creative Art Project

During the Missouri River Academy, students will work in partners to identify an issue that in some way affects the Missouri River. They will conduct research - using MRR resources - to develop a creative solution that addresses their given problem. Students will learn how to use art to communicate about their issue and each student will have the option to share their messages in a public presentation.  

At the end of the Academy, 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 Thursday, July 9th, at 2:00 pm at Old New Haven School House at 810 Maupin Street, New Haven, Mo 63068.

Response to COVID-19 Pandemic

Updated: May 18th, 2020

Each summer, families across Missouri 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 Academy. Over the last few weeks, we have been communicating with our families and sharing our 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 has made the difficult decision to cancel Missouri River Academy as scheduled.

The health and well-being of everyone during Missouri River Academy 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, to roll over their tuition to 2021, or convert their tuition fee to a tax-deductible donation to Missouri River Relief. We will also prioritize any financial aid applications received this year in 2021. 

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. 

Registration Process

If you are not applying for financial aid, please complete the online enrollment process here or by calling 573.443.0292. Please have your payment information ready when enrolling.  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: (a) student medical form, (b) general risk release form, (c) student standards of behavior agreement, and (d) travel form. 

Financial Aid

Financial aid is available to qualified participants. To apply for financial aid, complete the financial aid form below and click the "Submit Form" button. 

We will begin awarding financial aid in 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. The applicant will then be given a deadline and separate link to register for the course. Do NOT register before you are notified of your award.  

Financial Aid Form

Questions

If you have any questions check out the Missouri River Academy FAQ or contact our Education Director, Kristen Schulte at kristen@riverrelief.org 573-443-0292. 

Ready for Action?

This website is created and maintained by Missouri River Relief, P.O. Box 463, Columbia, MO 65205
MRR is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Federal Tax ID (EIN) 03-0425187
© 2023 Missouri River Relief | Website development and design by Pixel Jam Digital
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