LMRD 729, Tuesday, June 11, 2019Lower Mississippi River Dispatch"Voice of the Lower Mississippi River"2nd Annual Mississippi River Summer Leadership Camp
We set out downstream last week for one week on the biggest river in North America -- with 7 high school youth, 2 adults, 2 big canoes, 2 small canoes, several big river guides, and one big muddy river, June 3-7, 2019.
Campfire Classroom
Led by Shannon McMulkin of the Lower Mississippi River Foundation
For the youth involved it was all about learning the critical life skills of survival and health and leadership, in the setting of teamwork and exploration; for the river it was all about fostering a new generation on life-long stewards! Wild places like the Mississippi River have a way of leveling the field where we all stand as equals, and a fresh opportunity for growth is allowed... in gentle and graceful ways, like the curling of the river as it flows downstream.... and then in violent and challenging ways, like high winds, big waves, thunderstorms and heavy rain.
Learning Leadership Skills by Becoming Canoe Captain
Kids: If you missed boat, you can get your chance next year! Call the LMRF (870) 228-2421, or email info@lowermsfoundation.org for more information. 
Canoe Classroom -- Flooded Forests of the Lower Mississippi River
71 miles on Lower Miss from Helena to Rosedale, every night at different wild big river island campsite, all primitive, no conveniences of any sort.
Responsibility: Navigation
Activity: Art Table
Watercolor Painting at Camp on Island 62
Critical Skill: Shelter Making
Time for solitude and Self-Reflection
Exploration
Teamwork in the Profound Depth of the Wilderness
The Joy of the Journey
Beauty and Brawn
Lone Wolf: Quiet Time to let the Soul Flow
Some Creatures and Scenes:
A Napping Beaver on Log
Beaver Lodge: Not often seen on Lower Miss -- except in flood conditions
Leopard Frog? Green Tree Frog?
Duckweed in Oxbow Lake
Water Snake, Raindrops
Our Road Begins Where Your Road Ends
Go to LMRF Blog for more photos and day-by-day description. This historic 1st time ever camp (on Lower Miss) was made possible due to many friends, family, and river supporters from near and far. (PS: many of you read this newsletter: from the bottom of our muddy hearts: thank you! thank you! THANK YOU!!!!)
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The Lower Mississippi River Dispatch
is brought to you courtesy of
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Our Projects:
Rivergator: 1Million words describing the Lower Mississippi River, overseen by the LMRF:
www.rivergator.org
Wild Miles: 71% of the Lower Miss is wild according to river rats. Will it stay that way?
www.wildmiles.org
Our Friends:
Lower Mississippi River Foundation is dedicated to promoting stewardship of the Lower and Middle Mississippi River through deep engagement.
1Mississippi River Citizen Program: River Citizens are people who want to clean up and protect America’s greatest River. Whether in armchairs or wading boots, River Citizens protect the River by speaking up on its behalf and caring for it in simple ways that make a big difference. Together, we can protect the River for future generations. Take the first step today and sign up for free as a River Citizen at www.1Mississippi.org. 1Mississippi, can the River count on you?"
Big Muddy Adventures: adventures on the Missouri, Mississippi, Meramec and Illinois -- covering the Grand Central Station of America's rivers from home base St. Louis.