2023 South Central Region Workshop

2023 South Central Region Workshop

Show Me Interpretation in the Heart of Missouri

February 19th-23rd, 2023
Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Columbia at the University of Missouri
Columbia, Missouri



Registration:

Registration includes sessions and some meals. A banquet ticket is included but pre-registration is required.
  NAI Member
 Nonmember
 Retired/Seasonal/Volunteer Member
 Student Member
Full Registration $185 $260 $160 $155
Single Day Registration
$70 $105 $70 $70

Guest banquet tickets can be purchased below. Tickets are $40 each.

Full registration with confirmed attendance will receive 24 hours of continuing education credit for NAI recertification.

Host Hotel:

Hampton Inn & Suites – Columbia at the University of Missouri. Located at 1225 Fellow’s Place, Columbia, MO 65201. Complimentary breakfast with stay. 

Airport and Shuttles:

We have three nearby airports and a shuttle service listed below. 
St. Louis Lambert International Airport  
     Shuttle Service option: MOX
Kansas City International Airport
Columbia Regional Airport
   

Workshop Schedule at a Glance:

Sunday February 19th
Stop and explore on the way!
2:00-6:00 Registration opens 
3:00 Board meeting
6:30-8:30 Evening Social
9:00-12:00 Hospitality Room open
Monday February 20th
8:30 Registration opens
9:30-11:00 Opening Ceremony and Keynote Speaker Clint Darr
11:00-11:50 Morning Concurrent Sessions
12:00 Lunch provided
1:00-1:50 Afternoon Concurrent Sessions
2:00-3:30 Afternoon Concurrent Sessions
6:00-8:30 Dinner and Interp Olympics at Shakespeare Pizza South
9:00-12:00 Hospitality Room open
Tuesday February 21st
Field Sessions: Have fun exploring Mid-Missouri! 
Dinner on your own
5:00 Silent Auction Starts, Hampton Inn & Suites 
7:00 Live Auction Starts, & Cash Bar opens, Hampton Inn & Suites
9:00-12:00 Hospitality Room open
Wednesday February 22nd
8:30 Registration opens 
9:00-9:50 Morning Concurrent Sessions
10:00-11:30 Morning Concurrent Sessions
12:00-1:15 Business meeting, Lunch Provided
2:00-2:45 Afternoon Concurrent Sessions
3:00-4:30 Afternoon Concurrent Sessions 
6:30-8:30 Awards Banquet with guest speaker Dave Murphy at Memorial Union on Mizzou Campus.
9:00-12:00 Hospitality Room open
Thursday February 23rd
Checkout and return safely home. Inspired with ideas, solutions, and a full heart. 
 

Field Trips:

We’re proud to highlight many of the natural and cultural attractions in the area. We want to show you what Central Missouri is doing in Interpretation! Pick from one of the guided tour options. Additional fees may apply to certain trips.

Volunteers Wanted!

Email Sarah Easton Sarah.Easton@mdc.mo.gov for more information.

In accordance with NAI's mission to "inspire leadership and excellence to advance heritage interpretation as a profession," we have created professional-sounding volunteer categories. (Note: Students and other new interpreters may find these titles and job descriptions worthy of placement on a resume). And yes, you can volunteer in more than one area of specialty. Also, if you would like to volunteer for a task you don't see listed here, but you know needs doing, contact me and we'll see what we can work out. 

Concurrent Session Room Monitor 
When: During one or more concurrent sessions, throughout conference 
Duties: This is one of the most-needed areas for volunteerism. Room monitors should arrive slightly early for their assigned concurrent session, greet the presenter and help set up, start the session on time by introducing the presenter (we will provide an introductory paragraph), monitor the door for interruptions, give presenter "time almost up" signal, end session on time, distribute and collect program evaluation forms. Those forms are then relayed to the registration desk and the program sub-committee chair will see that each presenter gets them after being reviewed. 

Registration  
When: Various times (Sunday afternoon, Monday & Wednesday morning/during breaks)  
Duties: Assist Registration sub-committee with attendee check-in, distribution of swag bags and name tags, answering questions, and running errands. If you know a lot of Region Sixers, or if you want to meet a lot of Region Sixers, this is a great area to volunteer. 

Hospitality OPENING 9 pm AND CLOSING around midnight.   
When: opening 9 pm and closing around midnight 
Duties: If you already plan to do a lot of networking in the Hospitality Suite anyway, consider signing up for a shift—you get to be there and pitch in while you're at it. We especially need coverage in the evenings. Hospitality Suite Specialists will assist the Hospitality Chair with set-up, decorations, refreshments, and other tasks.  

Scholarship Auction  
When: "Set-up—Tuesday afternoon," and/or "During—Tuesday" 
Duties: You can choose your duties. Auction Authorities will assist the Auction Chairs to set up the silent and live auctions, monitor the silent auction, monitor sign-in and bid number registration, "strut" items during the live auction, and assist with totaling and payment logistics. Extroverts do well in this area of volunteering. Dynamic individuals who prove adept at using their "outdoor voice" indoors may be selected as auctioneers. 

Field Session leader  
Check in participants 30 min before trip leaves, assist van driver with directions and have contact information (provided by committee) for the day locations. Help keep field sessions on time through out the trip.  

Van Driver 
When: when shuttling people to and from event space and on Tuesday’s field sessions 
Duties: Make sure van has gas and is in clean working order. Able to drive passengers to field trip locations. Help with moving coolers for your food and drinks as needed per trip. Coordinate with your fieldtrip session leader for directions and participants.  

Help Where Needed  
When: through out conference 
Duties: as needed at the time 

Workshop Contacts:

For questions or concerns contact:
Amber Edwards, Conference Committee Chairperson edwardsamb@missouri.edu 
Sarah Easton, Registration & Conference Volunteer Coordination Sarah.Easton@mdc.mo.gov

Cancelation policy:

Refunds will be given until February 5, 2023, with a $25 processing fee. No requests for refunds will be granted after February 5th, 2023. Cancellation requests must be received in writing and can be sent to Sarah Easton at  Sarah.Easton@mdc.mo.gov.

Require special accommodations?

NAI does its best to follow the ADA guidelines for large events. If you have a special circumstance, please email edwardsamb@missouri.edu as soon as possible so we have adequate time to arrange the accommodation.

When
2/19/2023 - 2/23/2023
Where
Hampton Inn & Suites By Hilton Columbia At The University Of Missouri 1225 Fellow’s Place Columbia, MO 65201
Registration is closed.
My registration status: Not registered

Program

   

1. Regional Scholarship Fund

Description
Scholarship Fund Donation
Please consider a donation to the South Central Region support fund. Proceeds will go toward scholarships for the South Central Regional workshops, NAI National Conference, trainings and other regional activities that serve the membership. The South Central Region is run by a board of NAI members who donate their time to support all the members in their professional interpretive journeys. Run by member, for members. We are strongest when we pull together. All donations, no matter the amount, helps the region serve it's membership.
Category
1. Regional Scholarship Fund
2/20/2023

2. Off-site Field Sessions

Description
Discover History & Nature
Arrow Rock
In 1829, Arrow Rock was founded on a bluff above the Missouri River. By the mid-20th century, this once-bustling river town was a tiny rural village on the decline. Discover how a preservation effort (one that had begun with the restoration of the J. Huston Tavern in 1923) set the stage for Arrow Rock’s future. 

In 1963 the entire town was designated a National Historic Landmark. Its association with Westward Expansion, as the home of artist George Caleb Bingham, and a certified site on the Lewis & Clark and Santa Fe Trails began a new life for Arrow Rock. Now it includes varied stories of site and building preservation, nature conservation, recreation—and a limitless future based on a unique and fascinating history.

Missouri River Bird Observatory (MRBO)
The Missouri River Bird Observatory (MRBO) headquartered in Arrow Rock will be the host for a bird outing and a tour of their new visitor center. The bird outing will include a tour of the natural sites Arrow Rock has to offer as well as tips and tricks on hosting a successful bird outing. Physical exertion will be moderate with some steep inclines and declines. 

We will end the bird outing with a tour of MRBO’s new visitor center including a program demonstration in the “KnOWLedge Nest” that celebrates Missouri’s natural communities. Participants should bring binoculars and water. For those who do not own binoculars, sets will be provided. Bathrooms will be available on Main Street Arrow Rock and MRBO facilities. 

A Walk on the Wild Side-Big Muddy National Fish and Wildlife Refuge Arrow Rock
This walk and talk will follow the easy Lewis and Clark trail of Discovery (2 miles total) to a wild riverbank on the Missouri River. This hike will occur on the Jameson Island Unit of the Big Muddy National Fish and Wildlife Refuge.
 
Refuge Park Ranger Tim Haller will share stories of the history of the area and the ongoing process of converting agriculture floodplain to functioning floodplain that benefits people and wildlife. Dress appropriately for the season and possible off trail adventures. 

Yes, it may be muddy as we live up to the name as do the interesting characters whose stories, we will share on the Big Muddy.
 
Meal: Lunch provided with field trip registration at J. Huston Tavern with fixed menu of Fried Chicken or pot roast plus two sides, beverage, & deserts 
Travel: Carpool, no longer than 50-minute drive at one time
Suggested gear: Dress to be outdoors & to hike, bring water, and binoculars
Minimum Participants: 5
Maximum Participants: 25
Category
2. Off-site Field Sessions
Time
7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
2/21/2023 7:00 AM

Partnership Power
Explore how Mid-Missouri is connecting students through discovery to place, health, wellness, habitats, food and partners to benefit all.
 
Adventure through the habitats at Prairie Fork Conservation Area using Inquiry based learning activities. Continue exploring with Columbia Public Schools Place Based curriculum at Fairview Elementary. Then explore the Urban Agriculture Park and how its curriculum is connecting health, wellness, and food to the local students. See how students and partners work together to connect them to the world around us. 
 
 Meal: Lunch on your own on the west side of Columbia
 Travel: Carpool in Mid-Missouri, no longer than 50-minute drive at one time
 Suggested gear: Dress for the weather, comfortable hiking shoes
 Minimum Participants: 5
 Maximum Participants: 30
Category
2. Off-site Field Sessions
Time
7:30 AM - 4:30 PM
2/21/2023 7:30 AM

For the Birds
Join us for a tour of mid-Missouri’s birding hot spots! Local birding guides will take participants to Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area, University of Missouri Research farms, and more, to highlight a variety of habitats in the area. Participants will search for common winter visitors and elusive rarities. 

Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area is a cooperative partnership between The City of Columbia and the Department of Conservation, allowing the Department to use treated wastewater from the city as a primary water source for the wetlands. The city's recycled wastewater provides a near constant source of water. The area's 17 wetland pools allow the flooding of 1,100 acres of moist soil marshes, emergent marshes, and crop fields. These marshes provide year-round habitat for migrating and wintering birds and permanent wildlife and excellent wildlife viewing and hunting opportunities. 

Meal: Box lunch included in trip cost
Travel: Carpool to local spots, no longer than 30-minute drive at one time
Suggested gear: ess for the weather, comfortable walking shoes, binocular, spotting scopes (optional), field guides, some equipment will be available to borrow
Minimum Participants: 5
Maximum Participants: 25
Category
2. Off-site Field Sessions
Time
8:00 AM - 2:30 PM
2/21/2023 8:00 AM

Bridges, Creeks, and The Future
Take a Hike over the bridges, through the creek exploring future opportunities for local students. We will stop and learn about the history of Rock Bridge Memorial State Park, learn the methods used to produce temporary wayside exhibits about park history and see how several wayside exhibits about caves on one trail were coordinated. Photos, a diary and oral history will shed light on the history which includes a whiskey distillery and rural life of the 1800s, how the park was founded and the exploration and protection of cave resources. Cave features will include a pit cave entrance, Devil’s Icebox, the Rock Bridge, sinkholes and springs. After lunch we will continue to Three Creeks Conservation Area to explore trails, creeks and how multiple user groups interact on site.  We’ll also visit the site of the Boone County Nature School (under construction) to talk about how future generations will have hands-on learning opportunities in their own back yard. These are unpaved trails on natural surfaces, so be prepared for uneven surfaces, mud and downed trees.

Meal: Box lunch included
Travel: Carpool to three local areas, no longer than 30-minute drive at one time
Suggested gear: Dress in layers for the weather, comfortable hiking shoes 
Minimum Participants: 5
Maximum Participants: 20
Category
2. Off-site Field Sessions
Time
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
2/21/2023 8:00 AM

Trail Tram
Join Missouri State Parks staff for a unique 2 ½ hour tram ride on the Katy Trail.

Explore part of our rails to trails system and the opportunities for hiking and biking it offers. Learn how it all got started and how the system is expanding. See how this all ties into the Columbia trails system and how towns big and small have been affected by the presence of the trail?

There is the chance of some Bald Eagle watching along the way, so feel free to bring your binoculars! This is an open-air tram pulled by a truck so please bundle up and feel free to bring cover and hot drinks. Lunch will be on your own at Meriwether Cafe’ & Bike Shop.

Meal: Lunch on own at Meriwether Cafe’ & Bike Shop
Travel: Carpool, no longer than 40-minute drive at one time
Suggested gear: Dress for the weather, wear warm comfortable walking shoes
Minimum Participants: 5
Maximum Participants: 24
Category
2. Off-site Field Sessions
Time
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
2/21/2023 8:00 AM

A Capital City Chronicle
Join us for a day in Jefferson City, Missouri to explore and learn about the history of Missouri as a state and our current governmental structure! You will experience Missouri’s past, present, and future with visits to the state capitol building, the governor’s mansion, the state supreme court building, and the Jefferson Landing State Historic site.
 
 Get a glimpse at life in the late 1820s while visiting the at Jefferson landing, explore some of Missouri’s natural history at the state museum, and experience modern day government operations!  
 
 Meal: Lunch at Prison Brews (Pizza and Pub food) not included in cost of trip
 Travel: Carpool to local spots, no longer than 30-minute drive at one time
 Suggested gear: Comfortable walking shoes, Coat/layers - most of the day will be spent inside but will be walking outside from place to place, money for lunch
 Minimum Participants: 5
 Maximum Participants: 30
Category
2. Off-site Field Sessions
Time
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
2/21/2023 9:00 AM

3. Banquet Tickets

Description
Awards Banquet Ticket - Participant Ticket
Ticket included in price of registration. Pre-registration is required to attend.
Category
3. Banquet Tickets
2/22/2023

Awards Banquet Ticket - Guest Ticket
Up to two additional tickets may be added for guests.
Category
3. Banquet Tickets
2/22/2023