MDC Runge Nature Center invites kids to creek crawl

Kids can discover nature by exploring Nature Center creek with MDC staff July 15.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The Missouri Department of Conservation’s Runge Conservation Nature Center invites children ages 7-12 years to discover nature this summer at a “creek crawl” at the Nature Center on Friday, July 15, from 10 a.m. to noon.

This free event offers kids the chance to explore the Nature Center’s North Wears Creek bed, wet or dry. Whether splashing through puddles or playing with rocks, the creek crawl will provide a trail of a different nature. Before the heat of the day peaks, children will have an opportunity to make new discoveries and experience a different part of Runge.

Nature staff reminds parents to make sure kids are ready for the day with water bottles, bug spray and sunscreen, as well as appropriate footwear such as old tennis shoes.

Parents do not need to come, but are welcome to attend. Registration for this event is required and begins July 1. To register, or for more information, call the Runge Conservation Nature Center at (573) 526-5544. For information on this and other events and programs at the Nature Center, visitmdc.mo.gov and search “events” at the top of the webpage.

Runge Conservation Nature Center is located on Hwy 179 in Jefferson City approximately .5 miles north of Hwy 50. Building hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday with extended hours until 8 p.m. on Thursdays. The building is closed on Sunday and Monday. The outdoor trails are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

122 MoNASP student archers compete in 2016 World Archery Tournament

MDC congratulates all Missouri student archers who took part in world archery tournament.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The National Archery in the Schools (NASP) World Tournament and 3D Challenge were held June 23-26 at Myrtle Beach, SC. More than 2,100 student archers in grades 4-12 from 271 schools in three countries competed – including 121 Missouri students from 10 schools.

The following Missouri students placed in the top 10 of the NASP World Tournament:

• Junior Caleb Stillians from Sarcoxie High School took second out of 2,135 archers. Stillians shot almost a perfect score of 299 out of 300. Stillians also showed his skills with a bow placing fifth out of 1,120 student archers competing in the 3D NASP World Challenge.
• Senior Sam Stewart from Lee’s Summit West High School took eighth out of 2,000 female archers with a score of 293 out of 300 in the NASP World Tournament.
• Sixth grader Max Wangler from Sarcoxie Middle School shot an impressive 294 out of 300 placing him fifth in the middle school males division. Wangler also showed off his skills in the 3D NASP World Challenge by shooting a score of 288 out of 300 to take fourth place.
• Fifth grader Michael Kloeppel from St. Joseph Catholic School Westphalia took eighth place out of 644 elementary males in the NASP World Tournament.

The following Missouri students and schools placed in the top 10 of the 3D NASP World Challenge:

• Kat Smith from Jasper R-5 placed third out of 253 middle school female archers.
• Gage Weist from Sarcoxie Middle School took sixth place out of 271 middle school male archers. Teammates James Filbeck and Justin Brooks took ninth and tenth place in the same division.
• Isabelle Smith from Lee’s Summit West High School took sixth place out 166 high school female archers shooting a score of 287 out of 300. Teammates Sam Steward and Shelby Winslow took seventh and tenth place in the same division.
• Sarcoxie Middle School took second place in their division.
• Carl Junction Middle School took eighth place in their division.
• Lee’s Summit West High School took fifth place in their division.

To see all tournament scores, visit: http://bit.ly/29lKcC9.

NASP promotes education, self-esteem, and physical activity for students in grades 4-12 through participation in the sport of archery. Since NASP's beginnings in 2002, more than ten million students have participated in the program through 10,000 schools in 47 states and 10 countries.

Missouri student archers participated through the Missouri National Archery in the Schools Program (MoNASP), which is coordinated through the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) in partnership with numerous schools and supporting organizations throughout the state. MoNASP is an affiliate of NASP and also promotes education, self-esteem, and physical activity for students in grades 4-12 through participation in the sport of archery. More than 135,000 Missouri students from 500 schools participate in MoNASP. To learn more, visit the MDC website at http://on.mo.gov/291G89E.