A Brief Snapshot of My Summer as a National Great River Research & Education Center Intern with Missouri River Relief

By Carly Hopkins

Sunglasses on and covered in unidentifiable bug bites after attending National Great River Research & Education Center (NGRREC) training week, I drove down I-70 to my research placement city: Columbia MO.  Admittingly, I was a little nervous.  I attend school at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and had never visited Columbia before.  Looking back, it was such a waste of nerves – Columbia turned out to be amazing!  The downtown area radiates life, and there never seems to be a shortage of things to do.  However, the crown jewel of the town is undoubtedly Missouri River Relief.

Unlike my nerves about Columbia, I was just mostly excited to start work with Missouri River Relief.  Once I got my placement email from NGRREC, I immediately researched all about the program.  From their website and news clippings, it seemed like Missouri River Relief was run by passionate people that wanted to make heartfelt changes in their community.  That ended up being entirely true, but what I didn’t know was exactly how much heart, sweat, and blood goes into making their mission happen.

Headquartered in a cozy office, you couldn’t find a place filled with better people.  I could write paragraphs about each of the people I worked with – along with Indigo and Baby, the two office dogs - but for the sake of (relative) brevity, I won’t.  I would be remised; however, if I did not mention my supervisor, the education director of Missouri River Relief, Kristen Schulte.

With her unmatched wit and sharp mind, you honestly couldn’t ask for a better supervisor.  On the first day of meeting each other, we sat down and discussed what I would be doing that summer.  I would be mainly focusing on one event that Missouri River Relief puts on called Missouri River Days.  Missouri River Days is a half-day field trip on the Missouri River that takes the entire 4th grade on the Missouri River in Columbia, Missouri.  My primary mission over the summer was to write pre and post curriculum for teacher’s use. This would also be the area where I would develop a research project.

No big deal.  I had written some educational material before and thought I knew generally how it was going to go. Research, write, go through 2-3 drafts, and call it done.  I even thought I could complete the project way ahead of schedule.

Boy was I wrong.

Learning how children best learn and writing lesson plans around a certain layout was all new to me.  In the past, I had written things more to just have concepts flow from one another and kind of wrote a lesson plan based on that format.  Kristen soon taught me the importance of having set understandings, knowledge, and skills you want students to walk away with along with specific exercises for them to use while learning.  The hardest part of it all was letting go of my previous conceptions about curriculum and diving headfirst into relearning about proper development.

Observing lessons being pilots by Russell Blvd Elementary Teacher

We then piloted these lessons with some local grade school teachers during their summer school sessions.  This may have been one of my favorite parts of the whole internship - there’s something amazing about seeing your work unfold. The feeling of hearing the teachers read the words that went through countless revisions, and the kids absorbing it, falls nothing short of complete elatement.

The teachers gave us their feedback through surveys, and we tweaked lessons accordingly.  Their comments also helped establish my research project that looked at ways to interweave formal education into and informal learning experience.  But the most impactful part of it all is that we actually get to compile all the lesson plans and supporting material to be distributed in the local grade schools.  As I type this, piles of binders, laminating paper, and plastic envelopes sit beside me ready to assemble once the lessons are done being printed.

Leading the introduction to the Missouri River Creative Art Project 

Although my main project was the curriculum development for Missouri River Days, I also helped write short lesson plans for a creative art project for Missouri River Academy.  Missouri River Academy is an overnight camp that connects 8th-12th graders to the Missouri River.  I was a little hesitant about the camp – I had never been in charge of leading high schoolers before and was worried they would be difficult to handle.  Instead, I was met by an incredibly smart and eager to learn group of kids.  Even though we weren’t able to go on the river (due to flood stage), it was still a fantastic experience.  Watching so many kids having fun while actively learning about the environment was heartwarming.  I was even blown away by what they ended up creating in the creative art project! I learned that kids – whether they be the 4th graders in Missouri River Days or high schoolers at Academy – will never stop surprising you.

Guiding students on their Missouri River Creative Art Project

It was also just fun being back at a camp again – it was very nostalgic of my other camp experiences and made me remember what kind of experiences made me first fall in love with the environment.
That pretty much summarizes it all.  I wish I could tell you about every single event that happened during my internship, but there simply isn’t time.  It’s your turn to make your own Missouri River Relief stories.  But there is some advice that I can share with you that I learned from my internship experience.

 Some snippets of advice for future NGRREC interns

1. Be open to learning new things – even if you think that you already know it.  Believe me; you don’t know it as well as you think you do.
2. Organize your file folders first thing.  The number of documents you will save and download will surprise you.
3. Although sometimes an 8-hour workday may seem endlessly long, just remember that the summer is unfairly short (I can’t believe my internship here is already ending). When that mindset doesn’t do the trick, music and a snack can help.
4. Have some more confidence in your work.  Everyone is incredibly busy and if you can solve smaller problems on your own it will make everything run much smoother.
5. Pick your research project and outline exactly what you are going to do early.  I had never done a social science project before, which proved to be more difficult that I originally anticipated. 
6. Explore Columbia and everything it has to offer (if you’re an ice cream fanatic like me, go try Sparky’s)

But most importantly remember how lucky you are.  Not only to be an intern for NGRREC but that you got the opportunity to work with Missouri River Relief.  I am incredibly biased in saying this, but it’s the best placement of all the projects you could have gotten.

Presenting my Research Project at the National Great River's Research & Education Center Symposium 

Missouri River Academy, July 7-11, 2019

By: Katie Hathaway

It’s hard to believe another Missouri River Academy has come to an end. Every year is unique and incredibly special, but this year was really one for the books. The lessons learned and friendships made will not be soon forgotten.

Campers and a few staff members pose outside of Peers Store during their bike ride on the Katy Trail!

During this year’s Missouri River Academy, high school students from across the state gathered for 5 days in New Haven, Missouri, to learn about the Missouri River, all while not actually being able to go on the Missouri River, due to this year’s flooding and high water level. Despite not being able to get out on the river, this year’s academy was just as magical to be a part of.

To give you a better idea of how the week flowed, here is a day-by-day breakdown!

Sunday, July 7th – Welcome to Missouri River Academy

Twenty-one eager campers arrived at Camp Trinity and were welcomed to the 2019 Missouri River Academy! The first day of camp was focused on getting to know one another and gearing up for the next four days of learning about the Missouri River!

Campers prepare for the first round of Missouri River Olympics!

An Academy staple, Missouri River Olympics, kicked off and four fierce Olympic Teams were formed! Children of Lupa, Below Sea Level, Better than Kampbell, and GELEC competed in a series of games and activities throughout the week for a chance to win a special prize.

The day finished with a night scavenger hunt hike, where students got to know each other better and learn about the stars.

The campers embark on their night hike!

Monday, July 8th – Connecting to the Missouri River

With the question “How do I explore my connection to the Missouri River?” in mind, the second day of Academy included getting to know the history behind the Big Muddy, and learning about how it functions.

The day started at Pinckney’s Bed & Breakfast on a beautiful overlook above the Missouri River, where we learned about the history of the Missouri River, and some of the extinct wildlife that once roamed the watershed by examining fossilized teeth!

Campers Mackenzie and Emma practice using hand lenses to refine their observational skills.

We then headed to the riverfront in downtown New Haven and learned about sedimentation of the Missouri River. While along the waterfront, we broke out the blue trash bags and did a river clean up, Missouri River Relief style! Students picked up trash and also looked for their own trash treasure, which they could use for their creative art project later in the week.

Charlie and Gabe disposing of some trash during the river clean up.

In the afternoon, students participated in an 8-mile bike ride along the Katy Trail, stopping along the way at Peers Store to learn about the history of the area. After a day being out in the sun, the pool at Camp Trinity was a favorite hangout spot for most students during community time.

Later in the day we explored a nearby stream and met wildlife along the way. Many toads, grasshoppers, and other insects were caught!

Campers check out some captured wildlife during the stream exploration activity!

During Missouri River Olympics the competition was fierce, but Below Sea Level took the lead after winning a couple rounds of a tag game called Keeper of the Castle!

The night capped off with stargazing, during an astronomy and night sky lesson, where students learned more about what’s beyond Earth. They even saw the rings of Saturn!

Tuesday, July 9th – Behind the Scenes of the Missouri River

During the third day of academy, we explored the ecology of the Missouri River. Students focused on the question, “What components make up the Missouri River ecosystem?”

We started the day off at Shaw Nature Reserve for some serious birding with Missouri River Bird Observatory! We saw and heard 17 different bird species, including an Indigo Bunting, a Summer Tanager, and a Blue Herron!

Campers look for birds using binoculars and bird identification books. 

The fun continued as we did some nature journaling with artist and outdoor educator, Angie Jungbluth. To prepare us for capturing the natural world on paper, Angie challenged us all to rethink how we draw with various sketching techniques, such as blind sketching and gesture drawings. We even learned how to draw a bird song! She also led a watercolor lesson, where students painted the forest at Shaw Nature Reserve.

Angie reviewing what birds campers had just listened to during the "draw a bird song" activity.

River Academy wouldn’t be complete without a little time on the water! We headed to the Meramec River where we participated in some fisheries activities with Sarah Pepers and her staff from Missouri Department of Conservation. We caught fish using nets and through electrofishing! The Missouri Department of Conservation folks were kind enough to educate us on what fish species we caught as well. We caught a wide variety of fish, two of which were the Stoneroller and Brook Silverside!

Campers trying out electrofishing on the Meramec River!

After spending some time out on the river, we came back to Camp Trinity where Darby Niswonger and a couple other wonderful folks from MDC had a fish fillet demonstration waiting for us! Many students got to test their hand at preparing catfish to be fried, while others had the opportunity to enjoy fishing!

Campers fishing around the lake at Camp Trinity.

Missouri River Olympics were tough! All teams played their hearts out in a game of Capture the Flag, but after solving a tough riddle, BTK took the lead.

Day three of Missouri River Academy ended on the best note possible- with an ice cream social at New Haven Ice Cream Shoppe!

Wednesday, July 10th – Forces that Shape the Missouri River

From learning about wastewater treatment along the river, to hearing stories from those who have paddled the river, to discovering how life has developed in a historic river town, we dove into a number of activities to get the kids thinking about the question, “What is the relationship between humans and the Missouri River?”

We kicked off the day touring the wastewater plant in New Haven and got the chance to learn about the importance of treating water, as well as the challenges that go with it. We learned about the hardships various flushed products have on the wastewater treatment process!

Lance presenting a glass-blown sea turtle to the campers!

We then visited Astral Glass Studio in downtown New Haven, where Lance Stroheke and Gary Rice demonstrated glass blowing for us! They created a bluebird and a sea turtle right before our eyes! Afterward, they talked to us about their experience paddling 1,300 miles on the Missouri River! The kids also really enjoyed hanging with their shop dogs.

While downtown, we stopped by Avant Garden, and Charissa Coyle talked to us about the importance of supporting local agriculture, as well as how this year’s flooding and heavy rain has impacted growing produce in the Missouri River Valley. Using ingredients from Avant Gardens, we made fresh salsa together and celebrated with tacos for lunch!

Jay and Bridget cutting up peppers fresh salsa.

After lunch, we headed to Deutschheim State Historic Site in Hermann and traveled back in time to explore Hermann’s German roots while touring historic family homes.

After a day of activities, we headed back to Camp Trinity, where students were introduced to the Creative Art Project. Campers partnered up, chose an issue relating to the Missouri River, and began thinking about how to develop their projects!

The Olympic Games were intense, but after winning the “Face the Cookie” challenge, and solving the most riddles, Below Sea Level took first place again!

The Olympic teams attempting to solve riddles.

We finished out the evening making s’mores around a campfire together. The best way to end a day at camp!

Thursday, July 11th – Connecting Others to the Missouri River

The last day of Missouri River Academy was spent reflecting on the past week and thinking about how to take what was learned beyond New Haven, Missouri. Students focused on the question “How do we deepen a sense of responsibility to the care of the Missouri River?”

We kicked off the day with the final round of Missouri River Olympics. The kids participated in a relay race! It was neck and neck, but after a tie-breaker ring toss between Below Sea Level and GELEC, Below Sea Level took the prize this year! Each member of the team received handmade petrified wood necklaces, crafted by Gale Johnson!

Below Sea Level with their new petrified wood necklaces!

After saying goodbye to Camp Trinity, we all headed to the New Haven Old School House and the kids constructed their Missouri River Creative Art Projects! Trash sculptures, paintings, poems, and bumper stickers were created to raise awareness about specific issues related to the Missouri River!

Elsie cleaning up some trash to use for her recycled trash sculpture!

Before student presentations began and parents and guardians arrived, we all participated in an appreciation activity where we were able to express gratitude to one another. During “Pass the Feather”, we all reflected on our highlights of the week. What was mentioned most was how special it was that we were all able to connect so quickly with one another.

During student presentations, campers were able to show off their creative art projects to friends and family. It was amazing to see the kids talk so passionately about the issues they researched and to call their audience to action!

Bridget presenting her Creative Art Project on Japanese Hops to another camper's family.

The day ended with a bittersweet closing ceremony. Every camper received a certificate for completing Academy, and many heartfelt goodbyes were said to both new and old friends.

To see more photos from 2019 Missouri River Academy, check out our Facebook and Flickr!

Last, but certainly not least, thank you to the following individuals and organizations who made this year's River Academy possible. We are so grateful for the support you have given Missouri River Academy and this year's campers!

·  Better Environmental Education, Teaching, Learning & Expertise Sharing (BEETLES)

·  Katy Land Trust & Peers Store, Dan Burkhardt

·  Scott Mansker, River Miles

·  Diana Papoulias, Board Member

·  Dave and Fran Stous (Former Board and Committee Members)

·  Ellen Zobrist

·  Shelia Voss

·  Camp Trinity

·  Katie Hathaway, MRR Education Assistant

·  Carly Hopkins, NGRREC Intern  

·  Kampbell and Ben, Counselor in Training

·  Bruce Templer

·  BluePrint4Summer, The Clark-Fox Family Foundation

·  Gloria Attoun and Michael Bauermeister 

·  Ann Renee Gargrave

·  Audubon Society of Missouri

·  Missouri River Bird Observatory, Paige Witek

·  Art by Angie, Angie Jungbluth

·  Eastern Missouri Dark Sky Observors, Rick Schwentker

·  Avant Gardens, Charissa Coyle

·  Missouri Department of Conservation , Darby Niswonger, Sarah Peper & Crew

·  Deutschheim State Historic State, Cindy Browne

·  Astral Glass Studio, Lance Stroheke & Gary Rice

·  New Haven Public Works Department, Peter Otten

·  Riverfront Cultural Society 

·  Shaw Nature Reserve

·  Scenic Regional Library, New Haven Branch, Rachel Terbrock