2024 Presentations Listed Below. 2025 schedule will be announced ASAP.
Friday, April 5
Saturday, April 6
Presenter: Dave Tobey, Retired ONSR Ranger
Title: The History of River Guides on the Current River
Dave’s love for the Current River started when his family began camping at Round Spring in the late 50’s and by the 60’s they had purchased two small cabins there. Ever since then he’s always considered it home. He worked there in 1982 as an Interpretive Ranger at Alley Spring until he pursued a career in education. Upon his retirement in 2008 he dusted off his ole Flat Hat and made his return where he focused on river safety, trail issues, environmental education, and increasing community involvement. He retired again from the NPS in 2019, then established the Ozark Riverways Foundation in 2020.
Presenter: Cynthia and Steven Truemper
Title: Gearing Up To Get Down at Philmont
Are you heading to Philmont? Learn from Cynthia and Steven Truemper, former Philmont Staff, about what to bring, how to prepare, and what to expect when you arrive. Attendance at this workshop will help ensure the best Philmont experience.
Presenter: Andi Lowry, Founder of Ozark Trail Section Hikers and Backpackers
Title: The Secret Spots On The Ozark Trail
In her free time, Andi coordinates a massive group of folks that are passionate about the Ozark Trail. Come out as she hosts a panel of other backpackers with an array of experiences and knowledge about the trail in our own backyard.
Presenter: Jim Gender, Vertical Voyages
Title: Exploring Missouri And Illinois At A Higher Level
Vertical Voyages’ mission is to bring the sport of climbing to adventurers of all ages so that people can learn how to have positive and intimate experiences with nature. We offer educational sessions in tree and rock climbing for everyone from beginners to seasoned professionals. Our local climbs take place in Missouri, Southern Illinois and Arkansas – the heart of the Midwest climbing scene.
Presenter: Marty Koch, Retired Park Ranger
Title: Mission Impossible- 30 Years a Ranger
Over the course of a 30 year career as a park ranger, Marty has had some bizarre experiences. Your mission, should you decide to accept it, is to determine fact from fiction as Marty recounts stories from his career that may or may not be true. This fun program will provide insight to the life of a park ranger.
Presenter: Bill and Jody Miles, Founders Earth’s Classroom
Title: Earth’s Classroom: Ecology in a Canoe
Founded in 1999, Earth’s Classroom (EC) has worked with over 72,000 participants bringing to life science and history in day-long or multi-day long outdoor educational programs. Hear from the founders, Bill and Jody Miles, as they give you a unique, fun, adventurous taste of their outdoor educational wit. As professional Outdoor Educators, EC has a strong philosophy to teach intriguing sciences while adventuring in the outdoors. From Limnology to Herpetology and Wild Ecology Caving Trips to Ecology Canoe/Camping Trips, join in on learning what makes EC unique for your classroom, scout group, family or friends! Also hear about EC’s BOURBEUSE BLUEBELL RACE: Paddling Race On MO’s Most Crooked River! CHEERS!”
Presenter: Jason Rose, Site Services Director at Wyman Center
Title: Paddling into the Canadian Wilderness at Quetico Provincial Park
Jason has made an annual trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area or Quetico Provincial Park for years. He spends a week at a time on the water finding remote beaches, island campsites, and wonderful views of wildlife. Come learn what you need to know to plan your own expedition into one of the largest wilderness areas in the country.
Presenter: Kathie Brennan, President of Ozark Trail Association
Title: Discovering the Ozark Trail
Kathie Brennan leads an all-volunteer army of care-takers for one of the nation’s Top 10 Longest Backcountry Trails and longest multi-use National Recreation Trails with over 420+ miles located in your own backyard. Get an enlightening look at this true “hidden gem” and all it has to offer from hiking to mountain biking, as well as obstacles in keeping it open for the public.
Presenter: Wendy Davis
Title: Fitness And Living Your Best Life
In 2006 I was an obese couch potato. Over these last 17 years I have created a healthy lifestyle, lost the 100 pounds I had gained and became an endurance athlete and cycling coach. At age 55 I feel strong, confident, and empowered, characteristics I was lacking in my early years. I believe that the best is yet to come and encourage people to get out of their own way and go after their life/goals.
Presenter: Laura MacLeod, St. Louis County Park Ranger
Title: Geo-Caching In Saint Louis County Parks
Laura MacLeod is a seasoned outdoor professional with decades of experience working in the outdoors both as a Park Ranger and an educator at the World Bird Sanctuary. Ranger MacLeod is apart of the St. Louis County Park Ranger’s Mounted Patrol and provides over 200 programs a year to the citizens of St. Louis County. Ranger MacLeod is an active member of the Geocaching community and is excited to share her passion with you!
Presenter: Brett Westerbeck, NICA Head Coach, St Louis County
Title: More Kids on Bike: NICA In Saint Louis
Founded in 2009, the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) develops mountain biking programs for student-athletes across the United States. NICA is about having amazing adventures with teammates while tackling both small and epic challenges. Did you know NICA is active in St. Louis, too? Meet the St. Louis MidCounty Composite (MidCo) Head Coach Brett Westerbeck at the Showcase to find out how your family can get involved in this inclusive group where everyone is welcome and everyone rides!
Presenter: Nathan Graves
Title: Adventure Racing: What Is It And Why It’s Different
Alpine Shop has a long history of Adventure Racing. Find out more about this growing sport from Nathan, a veteran of over 50 Adventure Races throughout the region.
Presenter: Perry Whitaker
Title: MR340 for Beginners
Perry is an avid paddler and Alpine Shop’s lead kayak instructor. He’s raced over a dozen times; and 5 times he even brought home a trophy! Come learn important information to help your MR340 experience be the best it can be.
Presenter: Marcus Janzow
Title: Nature Photography
Ever since he was a kid, Marcus enjoyed exploring the creeks and woods around him where he realized he was at his happiest outside. His hobbies include backpacking, fly fishing, and photography, so he’s found ways to capture and preserve all of these moments through the lens. Join him as he shares his tips and tricks to help you save all of life’s adventures and moments!
Sunday, April 7
Presenter: Mike Dowell, LNT Master Educator
Title: Leave No Trace Workshop
In 2013, Mike graduated from Southeast Missouri State University with a degree in Outdoor Leadership & Recreation and was a backpacking and fly fishing guide for two seasons at Teton Valley Ranch Camp in Wyoming. In 2015, he was hired full-time by TVRC as the Backcountry Trips director, where, for five years, he managed an extensive backcountry program across three National Forests and two National Parks. Mike is a Leave No Trace Master Educator and former Wilderness First Responder.
Presenters: Savannah Gagnon and Elliot Bulejski, AT & PCT Thru Hikers
Title: A Thru Love Story: Tips and Tricks from Two Thru Hikers
In the spring of 2017, Savannah and Elliot set out separately on the Appalachian Trail. What they didn’t know was that they would meet and fall in love, and go on to hike the entire 2,190 miles together. 6 years later, they have conquered both the Appalachian Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail totaling over 5,000 miles and gained invaluable knowledge of outdoor ethics, backpacking tips, and more. Sound like an adventure you’re up for? Listen in as they share their story and pointers with you!
Presenter: Maxine Stone, Missouri Mycological Society
Title: Missouri’s Edible Mushrooms
Maxine is retired from a career in the nursing home business working with the elderly and mentally ill. She is the past President of the Missouri Mycological Society, and a current board member. She’s a Master Gardener with Missouri Botanical Garden and Master Naturalist with the Missouri Department of Conservation. She is a member of the North American Mycological Society, instructor with the Missouri Mycological Society teaching mushroom identification and author of Missouri’s Wild Mushrooms.
Presenter: Joette Reidy, St. Louis Chapter of Americans on the Camino
Title: Camino 101: An Introduction to the Camino de Santiago
The Camino de Santiago is a network of routes through Spain, France, and Portugal. Join us for this presentation by Joette Reidy, who hiked the 500-mile French Route in 2016, the Way of Saint Francis of Assisi to ROme in 2017 and the Portuguese Route in 2018. The 101 seminar will cover general information on completing the Camino de Santiago. The 201 presentation will go into the specifics of long distance hiking, different routes available, training and how to pack.
Presenter: Elliot Bulejski
Title: Packfitting and Packing 101
Our friend and thru hiker, Elliot, invites you to bring in your own backpacking gear and let him help you feel more comfortable, stable, and able to tackle more miles on your next adventure!
Presenter: Joe Stryjewski, Bike Mechanic/All Around Good Guy
Title: Bike Maintenance 101
Come join our bike shop technicians for a clinic on “What everyone should know about basic bike maintenance”. Bring your bike for a free evaluation!
Presenter: Joette Reidy
Title: Camino 201: Beyond the Basics of Hiking the Camino, Technology, Trails, and Tips
In her “101” presentation, Joette covers general information on the Camino de Santiago. The “201” talks will get into the specifics of long-distance hiking, the different routes of “The Way”, how to train and how to pack. See the 101 info for Joette’s bio.
Presenter: Dennis Martin & Anna Zelinski
Title: Trail Running Tips: Getting Started and Moving Forward on St Louis Trails
Anna Zelinske and Dennis Martin are long-time trail runners. They are both board members and race directors with the St. Louis Track Club. Together they co-direct the Club’s trail races which include the Corps of Discovery Trail Half Marathon and 5-Mile Trail Race, the DeClue Loops Trail Race and the Weldon Spring Trail Marathon and Half. They both have impressive ultra-running resumes, with thousands of miles on local trails. Anna and Dennis look forward to sharing their experiences with you.
Demonstrations
Our friends from Kuat will be here showing off the latest and greatest! Stop in and say hi for some goodies and check out the new IBEX and Piston racks!
Yakima will be here to show you how to #TakeItEasy and demo some of their boat racks, EXO System, and more!