Upcoming in St. Charles, Mo.
The River is a Classroom – Leave no Child on Shore
Presentation by teacher and river guide Mike Clark
Mike Clark of Big Muddy Adventures has been hard at work finding ways both to get kids out on the river and to bring the river into the classroom. History, biology, ecology, engineering, language and art – you can find all subjects reflected in the waters of our regions rivers. Through expeditions electronically shared with classrooms of all ages to direct student excursions on the big rivers, Mike will share some of the ways he and his partners have worked to integrate learning into a deeper exploration of the rivers that tie us together.
And why it’s so important.

Big Muddy Adventures and Missouri River Relief guide a group of students on a backwater of the Mississippi River at Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary. photo by Melanie Cheney

Art is one of many ways students can connect to their rivers. A student submission from the 2013 Washington River Festival. See more here.
Presentation by teacher and river guide Mike Clark, Big Muddy Adventures
6. p.m. Meet at Big A’s Restaurant
6:30 p.m. Presentation
At Big A’s Restaurant
308 N Main St. – St Charles, MO
(directions below)
In these days of digital tablets, standardized testing and liability fears, a generation of children is growing up with a limited experience out in nature. There’s plenty of research showing that direct experience in nature reduces behavior problems, fosters learning and provides students with experiences they remember for a lifetime.
Mike Clark of Big Muddy Adventures has been hard at work finding ways both to get kids out on the river and to bring the river into the classroom. History, biology, ecology, engineering, language and art – you can find all subjects reflected in the waters of our regions rivers. Through expeditions electronically shared with classrooms of all ages to direct student excursions on the big rivers, Mike will share some of the ways he and his partners have worked to integrate learning into a deeper exploration of the rivers that tie us together.
<b>And why it’s so important. </b>
Directions
To Big A’s on the Riverfront, our host for the Speaker Series.
To get there from I-70
- Take I-70 to exit 229B – the 5th St. Exit
- Merge onto 5th St. headed north toward St. Charles.
- After about 1 mile, turn right on Monroe St.
- Turn left onto N. Main St.
- Big A’s will be on your right (308 N. Main St.) Additional parking is available in the rear.
- View on Google Maps.
The Big Muddy Speakers Series in St. Charles
is hosted by these wonderful partners:
- Greenway Network
- Missouri River Relief
- Friends of Big Muddy
- Big Muddy Adventures
- Big Muddy National Fish & Wildlife Refuge
- Big A’s Restaurant
All speakers are presenting for free and Big A’s is sharing the space for free! Thank you for sharing your knowledge with all of us!
The Big Muddy Speaker Series also takes place monthly in Rocheport and Kansas City.
A special thank you to Greg Poleski of Greenway Network and Mike Clark of Big Muddy Adventures for making this happen!
Resources and Links
- Big Muddy Adventures website
- Project WET – Worldwide Water Education
- “River Quest – Big Island Circumnavigation explored a seldom-seen Arkansas wilderness and exposed schoolchildren to the beauty and power of nature” – article, Memphis Flyer, May 10, 2013
- “Mississippi Lessons (Completed): Expedition paddlers circumnavigate St. Louis, cyber-schooling as they go” – article, Canoe & Kayak magazine, April 3, 2012
- “Men turn river trip into virtual classroom” – article, Bismark Tribune, Nov. 7, 2002