Meeting Dates

I know you all were hoping to have more to add to your calendars.  I'm here for you.  Here is the list of meeting dates for RK this year.  Note that some dates are for Board Members only.  Some additional dates for Board meetings and events will be added as the year continues.

All meetings will run from 4-5pm in the library.  All members who are currently attending NCS should go to Extended Day at 3:30pm for check-in and snack.  There is no charge for this time in Extended Day.  And who doesn't love free stuff?

All members who are not picked up by the end of the meeting will be sent back to Extended Day until pickup.  Regular Extended Day fees will apply for this time period only.

RK Meeting Dates ­

Sept ­ 10, 24
Oct ­ 1,15
Nov ­ 5, 19
Dec ­ 3, 10
Jan ­ 7, 21, 28 (Board Meeting)
Feb ­ 11, 18
Mar - 4
Apr ­ 1, 8, 15, 22 (Board Meeting), 29
May ­ 6, 20 (Final Meeting - RK Party - location/time TBA)

Additional Important Dates to Note -

Thursday, September 2 - RK Open House - RK Board Members asked to attend

Friday, September 17 - Confluence Watershed Festival - No school that day so I will get a bus for all those who want to join in the fun
Saturday, September 25 - Living Lands and Waters Cleanup at STL Riverfront
Sunday, March 27 - Annual participation in Confluence Trash Bash
Sunday, April 17 - Annual booth at STL Earth Day Festival in Forest Park
August 10 - Ben's birthday

I have checked all of these dates against the school calendar (avoiding days off and early dismissals) and most religious holiday calendars...however, if you think I've missed something important (still possible) and there remains some avoidable conflict, please let me know.  Of course we can't foresee the inevitable sports team practice schedule conflicts right now, but I'm sure we'll work those out as they happen...

Let me know if you are in need of even more dates to place on our calendar. As I said, I'm there for you.

I'd love to hear from some of you about summer adventures and such!  See you at school soon!

Ben

RK Distribution List...

Hello all!

This email list is due for it's annual update...as of right now, this
distribution list contains the emails of last year's active members plus anyone who has not requested removal from the list.  If you are receiving RK updates and would no longer like to do so, please simply email me with your removal request.  Otherwise I'll assume you are either:

1) Still interested in reading my amazingly witty emails
2) Uninterested but too lazy to remove yourself
 or
3) Completely annoyed by my emails yet too kind to insult me with a blunt removal request

In any of these situations, you will remain on the list and receive the
general emails I send out about events, activities, latest news, code words for entry into the secret RK Yacht Club, yada yada...

Let me take this moment to invite all graduates to stay in contact with RK and participate in meetings/events as you are willing/available.  Though I know many of you will find it challenging to attend all meetings, you may still choose to visit occasionally or serve on the Board and maintain your connection with the  organization.  Still others may choose simply to show up at cleanups and such.  I want it to be clear that graduation from NCS does not at all mean you need to graduate from RK.

Now on to business...

Here's the official ALL CALL for this year's RK Board...I am aware that many RK would like to serve on the Board.  Board membership is voluntary.  The only requirements are that you must have been a member the previous year and be willing to meet one additional meeting per month throughout the year.  It is in these meetings where many of the guiding decisions regarding the organization are made.  It's where new projects are conceptualized, old projects are revitalized, poorly contributing members are ostracized... kidding... sort of...

RK who are planning on serving should send me an email, stop by my classroom this week, or show up at the first Board meeting of the year to express commitment.  I will then create a separate RK Board email list for emails that concern only Board Members.

To give you a taste of some of the early decisions the Board will be making, we'll be discussing all of last year's projects and decide what projects we will maintain and which we might table or abandon altogether.  We'll also discuss new ideas, so bring on the brainstorm...Will there be an RK Benefit Concert????

We will follow the same format as last year in general - meetings twice a month on Fridays from 4-5pm in the library.  Snack will be provided in Ext. Day (at no additional charge to RK members) before meetings.

Upcoming events already on the calendar:

Aug 30-Sept.3 - First Week Back - RK Enrollment Forms available in Ext. Day Office for all returning members.

September 2 - 3:45-4:30pm - Open House for potential RK families - 4th-6th grade families who have not participated will be given the opportunity to check out what we have to offer. RK Board Members are requested to attend this Open House.

September 4-11 - River Camp???? - Mo River Relief is interested in working with us to arrange some unique educational outings along the Missouri River. They can offer us the chance to spend the afternoons and evenings with some of the amazing folks at MO River Relief - Actual activities and timing to be determined.  No plans for missing out on school.

September 11 - St. Charles River Cleanup with MO River Relief - Big one...tons of fun.

September 17 - Confluence Watershed Festival - Special Invitation - In certain situations, RK Board Members are invited to take part in outside events during school hours.  In this case, there is an educational festival near the Confluence of the MO and Miss Rivers all morning.  RK has been invited to provide a booth with hands-on activities related to rivers.  This is a large educational festival hosted by Missouri River Relief involving fantastic river folks from all over the bi-state region.  RK members and parents interested in participating should contact me so we can arrange participation.  This would involve obtaining special permission from teachers and admin.  Missed school work will need to be made up of course...nothing in life is completely free.

September 25 - 9am-1pm - Living Lands and Waters and A-B team up annually for one of the biggest cleanups in the region AND RIVER KIDS IS INVITED...(This is the rescheduled event from June.)  This is a great opportunity for RK to show it's river pride...This event is not open to the public, but we get invited because of our connection with LL&W.  We love to bring out tons of people, so let me know ASAP if you're interested in attending.

Is that enough to keep you busy for a while?

I'll keep you in the loop and on the river,

See you soon!

Ben
Your RK Captain

Yacht Club Code Phrase of the Week - River Time

Thanks!

Thanks for another incredible experience this year...we have a long list of accomplishments to be proud of, including hosting a successful benefit, paddling the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers 9 times, camping on the Mississippi, participation in cleanups and plantings, the creation of many new projects and revival of some old ones...It's been amazing to work with so many talented kids and parents.

I'm proud of all the current 6th graders have done to move River Kids forward during their time.  I wish them all well as they move on to secondary school.  They are all welcome to come back and work with River Kids at any time in the future!  To me they will always be River Kids...Heck, I'm the biggest River Kid of all, so the age cap just keeps getting higher.

I'm also incredibly proud of the new 4th/5th grade members this year who stepped up to every challenge and worked hard to establish themselves.  The enthusiasm, intellect and energy abounds in these younger individuals.  I know they are absolutely ready to take the reigns of this organization next year and continue to demonstrate that kids are a force to be reckoned with in the fight to preserve and protect our waterways.

As I look forward to upcoming River Kids events, I can't help but feel some excitement about the possibilities that lie ahead.   With a new River Kids park in development, a mural in the making, River Kids camp June the World's Largest River Cleanup ever on June 19, a river festival at the Confluence in September, and a dugout canoe on the way, this next year is surely going to be as exciting as ever!

Housekeeping - I have a yellow drawstring bag of belongings (including a Spongebob pillow) left with me after the RK campout...I can't remember who they belong to, so if it sounds like it might be yours, come on by my room and pick it up sometime.

Summer Fun - I will keep in touch with you all over summer.  There are already some great cleanup opportunities cropping up.  Please plan to join me at the riverfront on June 19 for the largest river cleanup in history. 22 cities up and down the Mississippi will be coordinating their efforts. Plus, our great friends from Living Lands and Waters will be heading up the effort.  We always have a blast with them!  We're thinking about camping out after the cleanup.  I'll keep the chatter rolling on that one.  We'll see what we can arrange depending on who's interested.

Board Members - Though current Board Members are invited to maintain a connection with River Kids upon entering secondary school, there will be many vacancies on the River Kids Board that will need to be filled.  All River Kids who were members this year are now eligible to volunteer for the Board.  The RK Board meets about one extra time per month on top of the regular meetings.  It can mean that RK becomes an even more substantial time obligation, but the rewards are numerous.  The Board is where many of the projects are developed and major decisions about the organization are made. If your River Kid wants to be on the Board, all they need to do is communicate that desire to me, and plan to meet in late August before school starts.  We will likely have a Board Retreat (perhaps a day trip or overnight paddle) to get things rolling at that time.  I will announce more info as we get closer to that time.

Happy summer!  Keep in touch...I love to hear about summer adventures.  I'll certainly invite you all to come create some summer adventures along the way with River Kids.

See you all soon!

Ben

Pics

I'm collecting photos from the year...if you have any pics that you think I ought to keep in the RK archives from this year (or previous for that matter) please send them my way.  I'd love to put together a rockin' slideshow for the party on Saturday...

Also, a long time ago I tossed the idea of going in on an end-of-the-year thank you for Mike Clark.  While he does get paid for his time with us, he gives us a HUGE discount simply because he is who he is, and he loves what we are doing.  He won't let me pay more, but he would have to accept a gift.

So, if you are interested in donating some cash for the "Mike's A River Kid Hero" fund, please stop by my room in the next couple days...I'll present the offering to Mike on Saturday.

Ben

RK Party Reminder

The RK Party is on for this Saturday at the Cassilly's House.  Right now I have about 50 RSVPs...Is there anyone else who forgot to RSVP?  Last chance...

NOTE - There will be a special presentation in honor of the graduating River Kids and an additional surprise announcement!

Reminder on the details:

Email me for details on the party's location.

From Giovanna:

Driveway is at the corner of Riverview and South Chambers Rd. It does sneak up quick.

Please carpool if possible.

Park cars along the grass next to the mail box.

It is also Dylan's B-day...If any one would like to bring a birthday gift, we ask that they contribute to the River Kids on behalf of his 10th birthday.

No need to bring anything other than bathing suit, change of clothes, towel, sunblock, swimming goggles or pool toys.

Let me know if you have any questions!

Ben