The Missouri River Explorer Badge is a merit badge earned by intrepid explorers of all ages with a focus on ages 5 to 18 years. 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.
Missouri River Explorers are expected to Explore the natural world around them in order to form a connection with the great outdoors.
They should take the opportunity to Learn about how the Missouri River interacts with their lives and the challenges it faces.
Finally, they are encouraged to Protect their watershed for the use and enjoyment of their community.
Part One – Explore the Missouri River
The candidate shall complete at least two of these four activities or similar activities:
Part Two – Learn About the Missouri River
The candidate shall complete at least two of the five activities or similar activities.
Part Three – Protect the Missouri River
The candidate must complete at least two service projects. These may include:
The Missouri River Explorer Activity Card provides prospective Badge holders with a menu of activities to select from in order to fulfill the three tenet requirements. Two activities must be completed and verified by a Missouri River Relief staff or crew member for each tenet. This Activity Card must be kept with the participant as a record until all activity requirements are met.
Activities can be verified by any Missouri River Relief staff or crew member during cleanup events.
Alternatively, a submission form has been provided to the right in order to allow participants to pursue and verify their activities outside of these cleanup events.
Potential Missouri River Explorers may submit the results of their activity through this submission form, where it will be recorded and verified by a member of staff.
During the initial completion of the Activity Card, you will make the Missouri River Explorer pledge in order to receive the large Missouri River Explorer badge and become a Missouri River Explorer cardholder. Subsequent completions of the Activity Card earns Explorers additional River badges.
Participants may either submit their Activity Card in-person at a Missouri River Relief cleanup event or submit a photo of the Activity Card through the online submission form to the right. Should participants need to mail the Activity Card, the office address and contact information can be found below.
Once you complete your first activity card you earn your first patch, you can start over with a new activity card and do it again, earning a blue river patch with each completed card.
"I, as a Missouri River Explorer, promise to continue exploring and learning about the plants, animals and history of this special place.
I will share what I learned with my friends and family so that they, too, can enjoy the Missouri River.
And I will continue to protect the Missouri River for the benefit of my community and future generations."
These resources can help participants for fill their badge requirements: