2025 STL Schedule is LIVE!
Check back here for any edits or changes!
Check back here for any edits or changes!
Friday, March 28th
$5 Donation is required for entry with all donations to St. Louis Bicycle Works. Come find your new Canoe, Kayak, SUP, or Bike!
Saturday, March 29th
Presenter: Dave Tobey, Retired ONSR Ranger
Title: Paddling the Upper Jacks Fork in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways
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: Members of the Saint Louis Orienteering Club
Title: Orienteering and Why You Should Be Doing It
Saint Louis Orienteering Club welcomes you to try your new favorite thing: Orienteering! A sport that welcomes folks of all skill levels, we’ll walk you through what it takes to come give it a try and even have a demo course setup for you at Kirkwood Park!
Presenter: Andi Lowry, Founder of Ozark Trail Section Hikers and Backpackers
Title: Meal Planning for Trail Adventures
We are definitely not giving nutrition advice, but we’re going to talk about planning for day hiking, backpacking, weather considerations, ideas and suggestions for meals and snacks, etc. Often people don’t even know where to start and food planning can be daunting. Let us take out the worry!
Presenter: Alex Clerc, Member of Missouri Whitewater Association
Title: Whitewater Kayaking… Household Sport? Here?
Alex will cover some of the obvious and not so obvious challenges of becoming a whitewater kayaker including how to access instruction for adults and youth, the new youth instruction model and what it takes to build youth programs. He’ll also talk about the need for local whitewater feature along with its benefits and how we could see one in Saint Louis.
Presenter: Andi Lowry, Founder, Ozark Trail Section Hikers and Backpackers
Title: Hiking and Backpacking with Dogs
Join us as an OTSHAB panel presents “Hiking and Backpacking with Dogs”. We’ll talk how-to’s, gear, safety, and things you should know.
Presenter: Ryan Roe, Alpiner
Title: Camping With Kids
Ryan is a long-time Alpiner whose love for the outdoors is shared by his three young kids. Not one to be deterred by the thought of changing a diaper in the woods, Ryan has taken his kids camping since before they could walk. Come learn some of the tips and tricks Ryan has to share about getting your kids outside!
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: Will Crimmins, Paddlesports Ambassador and Sales Rep with Jackson Kayak, Werner Paddles, and Eddyline Kayaks
Title: Grand Canyon Self Support- Against All Odds
In January 2011, a team of 15 experienced whitewater paddlers undertook a self-supported expedition through the Grand Canyon on the Colorado River. Beyond the inherent challenges of navigating the canyon’s formidable rapids and winter weather, the team was confronted with a critical medical emergency requiring immediate and decisive action. This is the narrative of their extraordinary resilience and their successful life-saving efforts, revealing how they overcame unforeseen adversity.
Presenter: Marty Koch, Retired Park Ranger
Title: Amazing Places within 100 miles of Saint Louis
With 30 years of experience as a park ranger and a lifetime of adventure, Marty has done everything from trips to the Canadian North to trips in the West, and right here in the Ozarks. Let Marty show you the hidden gems close to home!
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.
We’re here so you know the right knot in the right application!
Presenter: Steve Schnarr, Race Director @ Missouri River Relief
Title: Big River Paddle Racing
The muddy Missouri is a big river that can be intimidating, but it is a great river for a paddle trip or for racing. Steve and Missouri River Relief host two big races you may have heard of – the Missouri American Water MR340 and Race to the Dome. Come learn some tips and tricks about preparing for and finishing these two esteemed races. Good for beginners and veteran paddlers alike.
Presenter: Elliot Bulejski, AT & PCT Thru Hiker
Title: Pack Fitting With The Pros
Our friend, thru hiker, and pack fitter, 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: Don Ficken, Missouri Master Naturalist, Founder DarkSky Missouri
Title: In The Shadow of The Stars: Discovering the Nighttime Wilderness
For millions of years, Earth’s climate has changed, but nature has learned to rely on the predictable patterns of day and night. While we rest, the planets and stars move across the night sky and nature’s nocturnal realm comes to life, with at least 30% of vertebrates and 60% of invertebrates active at night. If we only knew how, we could experience the wonders of the night sky and the remarkable nighttime wilderness.
Presenter: Jason Rose, Outfitter @ Alpine Shop
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.
They called themselves Fun Hogs. In 1968, five friends took a road trip to climb Cerro Fitz Roy, and documented the whole thing on a 16mm Bolex. Along the way they surfed undiscovered breaks, skied on sand and snow, spent 31-days in a snow cave and made a first ascent on the mountain. Fifty years later this film, which defined a lifestyle and became an underground classic, is in its first wide release.
TRAILER: HERE
Sunday, March 30th
Presenter: Emily Hemeyer, Missouri Mycological Society & Founder of Wild Seed Field Museum
Title: Foraging Mushrooms in the Wild
Discover the fascinating world of fungi! Through stories and images from the field, learn about a few easy-to-identify edible fungi that grow in Missouri. We’ll discuss uses, preservation, and ethical foraging
Emily Hemeyer is the founder of The Wild Seed Field Museum, offering edible food hikes, resilience skills and craft classes through community partnerships. She is the garden coordinator, handwork, and nature explorations teacher at the Waldorf School of St. Louis. She is a teaching artist with Artscope and Bread and Roses. Emily holds an MAT in science/environmental education from Miami University’s Project Dragonfly with the Missouri Botanical Gardens AIP Cohort and a BFA in Fibers from the University of Missouri, Columbia. She is a graduate of the community arts training program (CAT) and Tiger graduate programs with the St. Louis Regional Arts Commission. Emily is a member of the North American Mycological Society (NAMA) and an educator with the Missouri Mycological Society (MOMS), holding a wild mushroom identification certification for Missouri.
Presenter: Teresa Willis, Founder Sparkle Travel & RV Services
Title: Women’s Roadmap to Freedom
Calling all adventurous women! Whether you’re hitting the road solo or with a partner, this empowering seminar is your ticket to mastering the RV lifestyle. From tips and resources to the best travel hacks and inspiring stories, we’ll share everything you need ot embrace the freedom of RVing, camping, and exploring. Connect with like-minded women, fuel your wanderlust, and let’s hit the road!
PLUS Check out her RV in our Demo Area!
Presenter: Amy Horton, 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 Amy Horton, who has covered plenty of miles on the trail herself! 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: Randy Norris, St. Louis Canoe and Kayak Club
Title: The Best Places to Paddle in Saint Louis
Saint Louis offers several great spots for paddling weather you’re seasoned or a beginner. Each location offers its own experiences, from calm lakes to scenic river routes, perfect for a day out on the water!
Presenter: Cheri Becker, Missouri Department of Conservation
Title: Stream Teams and How You Can Help
Come join a volunteer group dedicated to protecting and improving the state’s 110,000 miles of streams through activities like stream cleanups, water quality monitoring, habitat restoration and education about water conservation. All ages are welcome!
Presenter: Anna Zelinske, St. Louis Track Club Board President
Title: Beyond 26.2: Running Your First Ultra Marathon
This session explores the transition from marathon running to ultramarathons, covering key differences in training, pacing, nutrition, and mental preparation. Learn how to adjust your strategy for longer distances, tackle trail running challenges, and choose the right ultra for your goals. Whether you’re considering a 50K or a 100-miler, this discussion will provide practical tips and insights to help you confidently take the next step in endurance running. Perfect for runners looking to push past 26.2 miles and embrace the ultramarathon adventure!
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: MidCo Flow, NICA Team, 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) Coaches at the Showcase to find out how your family can get involved in this inclusive group where everyone is welcome and everyone rides!
Presenters: Savannah Gagnon and Elliot Bulejski, AT & PCT Thru Hikers
Title: A Thru Love Story: Tips and Tricks from Two Thru Hikers
Planning a long-distance hike or not sure where to start? 2-time Thru- Hikers Savannah and Elliot want to help! Listen as they share their experiences along the Appalachian Trail and Pacific Crest Trail. Learn about how to make gear choices, top- notch brands to take on your trip, tips from the pros, and stories from their treks. See you there!
Presenter: Amy Horton
Title: Camino 201: Beyond the Basics of Hiking the Camino, Technology, Trails, and Tips
In her “101” presentation, Amy 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 Amy’s bio.
Presenter: Mary Culler, Executive Director of Stream Teams United
Title: Stream Teams United presents Paddle MO
Join Missouri Stream Teams for unique, educational journeys along some of Missouri’s great rivers. Along the way, historical and scientific experts join paddlers to share about the history and ecology of the rivers.
For Paddle MO trips, we are your ground crew! Just bring a boat and your gear, and we take care of the rest. If you don’t have a boat, boats are available to rent or borrow and we can help you find one!
Demonstrations
Yakima will be here to show you how to #TakeItEasy and demo some of their boat racks, EXO System, and more!
Theresa will be here to show you how life on the road may be your next adventure!