Missouri River Bird Observatory

Welcome to our fun summer day camps for all the young explorers in the area. The camp's programs and activities are focused on exploration, improving observational and outdoor skills, encouraging critical thinking, increasing knowledge of Missouri's native species, physical activities, and, of course, having fun! Our activities fall under the Missouri Learning Standards and can further reinforce concepts your student is learning in school. Our campers have fun and go home with new knowledge and new friendships. Each session of camp will repeat some favorite activities, like fishing and exploring the spring, but will also have new activities as well. 

NEW this year, we are adding a camp for youth ages 11-14 called Junior Naturalist Camp. Campers will continue to improve their observational and outdoor skills and then, drawing inspiration from nature, will create a nature superpower t-shirt from stamps that they carve.

For safety and to make sure every child has a quality experience, we are limiting the number of participants each week to 12 campers, so sign up soon!

Why choose Young Explorers’ Camp?

Our camp is more than just an outdoor and social experience for our campers. Our programs and activities aim to not only give our campers a fun experience, but also teach them about their environment and give them new skills. The programs and activities at Young Explorers’ Camp are focused on exploration, improving observational and outdoor skills, encouraging critical thinking, increasing knowledge of Missouri’s native species, physical activities, having fun, and building new friendships. Our activities fall under the Missouri Learning Standards and can further reinforce concepts your student is learning in school. Also, we limit the number of participants each week to 12 campers to ensure a quality experience for everyone.

Where is camp held?

Camp is held at the Lawless Farmstead in Arrow Rock, MO. Arrow Rock is a National Historic Landmark and a great site for camp because of its rich natural and cultural history. We love to visit the Big Spring, Big Soldier Lake, and the Missouri River plus explore the prairie and woodland trails nearby.

Is transportation provided?

We are excited to continue to provide a transportation option for the young explorers who live in the Marshall, MO area. We have partnered with OATS Transit to provide buses to and from Arrow Rock from camper's homes in Marshall or from a central location(s) depending on the number of sign-ups. Pick-up time will be around 7:30-8:00 am and drop-off time will be around 4:30 - 5 pm. If you are interested in this option, please fill out the form on the registration page and email it to the Camp Director. You may also request a paper copy. Note: If you have used OATS transit last year and have the same information and location, you do not need to fill out a new form. Please indicate on your registration form that you will be using the transportation option. 

When is camp?

There will be two sessions of Young Explorers Camp, held Monday - Thursday for two weeks in June. The first week is June 3rd - June 6th. The second week is June 17th - June 20th. There will be one session of Junior Naturalist Camp, held Tuesday - Friday, June 25th -June 28th. Depending on the age of your explorer, you can sign-up for one or two weeks!

Camp runs from 8:30 am until 4 pm. Drop off anytime from 8-8:30 am and pick-up anytime from 4- 4:30 pm. Note: We are a small camp and therefore have the ability to be quite flexible with drop-off and pick-up times, so let us know if there is a conflict. If you live in Marshall, MO there is another transportation option described below. 

How much does camp cost?

Camp costs $100 for one week and $200 for two weeks per camper. Cost includes a healthy lunch, two snacks, a reusable water bottle, camp shirt and an Exploration Kit!

Do you provide scholarships?

We have scholarships available for interested young explorers who require financial assistance. To apply, fill out the form on the registration page and email it to the Camp Director by Tuesday, May 14th. You may also request a paper copy. 

What is in the Exploration Kit?

• Backpack
• Water bottle
• Nature Journal
• Butterfly Net
• Aquatic Insect Net
• Hand Magnifier
• Bug Observation Container
• Pencils and Eraser
• Pencil Sharpener
• Ruler
• Colored Pencils
• CAMP T-SHIRT!