After 85 years, my Mother recalls her time as a Missouri Nature Knight

I love this time of year as families post their back to school photos and their children anticipate the start of another school year. So, I thought it might be an appropriate time to share a few comments on the impact of an elementary learning activity that still influences my mother after eighty-five years.

The Missouri Conservationist published a couple of references to a Nature Knights program over several issues this spring. One Letter to the Editor from the May 2025 issue caught my mother's attention and triggered memories of her time attending a one room school house. Amazingly, she was able to find a scrapbook she kept as a youngster recording her school activities and it included a pledge card and pin for the Nature Knights program, one of many accomplishments on her path as a lifelong learner that continues today. 

She is also still very proud of her time in the program and recalls how it supported her passion for learning about nature that she developed growing up on a farm in the Loutre River Valley south of Minneola, MO. 

She maintains a subscription to this day for The Missouri Conservationist and reads through each issue before passing them along with notes when she finds a particularly interesting article. She has also over the years made sure to encourage a love of nature by giving various Missouri Conservation Department publications to her own children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. 

 

The Missouri Nature Knights program was aimed at every Missouri boy and girl between the ages of 

six and fifteen. You can read more details about Missouri Nature Knights in "Conservation Commission Sponsors Plan For Young Missourians to Aid Wildlife Program," from the January 1939 issue of The Missouri Conservationist, pp.1, 2 and 7.

The article explains that any elementary student could become a Missouri Nature Knight by signing a pledge card designed by Walt Disney. 

The program included ranks of Squire, Knight and Conservationist, each with unique buttons or badges awarded on completion of activities prescribed by the Conservation Commission. The highest award was the gold medal awarded for outstanding achievement. 

Participants kept their own records of "...self-improvement projects such as bird, tree and animal identification, starting conservation museums and libraries, exploration of brooks and farm lands, winter feeding of birds, planting food patches, building bird houses, making conservation posters, making field trips."

Nature Knights was part of a broader effort by the Conservation Commission to provide cumulative experiences over a number of years to help restore Missouri's natural resources.

Consider leaving a note below if you or someone you know has an experience with the Missouri Nature Knights or a similar program.

RV Shipments thru June 2025

Data from the RV Industry Association’s monthly survey of manufacturers for June 2025 was recently posted.  Total RV shipments for the first half of 2025 that ended in June were up 6.8% with 190,705 units. Additionally, this 6-month total represents over on-half (57.1%) of all 2024 shipments.

In June 2025 29,332 units were shipped, a 15.9 percent increase over the 25,308 units shipped in June 2024. 

For comparison, shipments for all of 2024 were 333,733 well below the peak of 600,240 reached in 2021. 2024 shipments were also higher than the 45-year mean of 295,146 units. So, it looks at this point 2025 RV shipments will maintain the upward momentum building since 2023.

You can see in the chart below that most of the volatility arises from Towable RV shipments. These include four categories [travel trailers, fifth wheels, folding camping trailers, and truck campers]. Motorhome shipments have been more stable in recent years and include those from the larger Class A's and C's, as well as, the Class B vans. 

While the motorhome shipments have been relatively stable overall, there is more variability month-to-month when looking at the subcategories. Class C's are the largest of the three categories. And, Class A shipments historically exceeded those of camper vans. Though this latter pattern changed in late 2021 and since then, more Class B's are shipped each month. 

While relatively small when compared with other categories, Class B shipments of 8,349 units in 2024  were several times larger than the 2,123 units in 2012 or 2,177 units shipped in 2013. However, they were quite a bit lower than the 17,026 units shipped in 2022 or 11,932 units shipped in 2023. 

With 4,265 Class B units shipped through the first six months of 2025, it looks like Class B units shipped this year will just about equal the total for 2024.

Class B's represented roughly 7% of motorhome units shipped from 2012 through 2016, they peaked at 29% of motorhomes shipped in 2022. Since this peak, the number of Class B units shipped has fluctuated in a range between 20% and 30% of all motorhome shipments.

 Meanwhile, the percentage of motorhomes shipped peaked at over 20% of all RVs shipped in early 2023 and has been declining to where motorhomes now account for roughly 10% of all RV shipments.

Comment below if you have any insights and observations or have questions and suggestions. While we are longtime campers, I do not work in the RV industry. I initially pulled together the numbers as a Covid lockdown project and maintain them now as a hobby.

Walking at Painted Rock Conservation Area

We enjoyed a lovely March day visiting Painted Rock Conservation Area. It was our first time visiting this conservation area located in central Missouri and we weren't disappointed.

The 1,480 acre conservation area includes a pleasant loop trail through an oak and hickory forest.  

The loop trail also incorporates several impressive overlooks of the Osage River.

The loop trail is approximately 2 miles in length and we were able to complete it in just over an hour. You can see a map and other details of our walk on AllTrails, Morning at Painted Rock Conservation Area.

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We posted a short video with images of our walk on YouTube, Painted Rock Conservation Area.

Missouri CCC camps in Mark Twain National Forest

I just stumbled across a wonderful map of Missouri CCC camps in Mark Twain National Forest on Google created with MyMaps. 

You can click on a site marker for more information about the specific camp. All of these Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Camps existed from 1933-1942 except one that cannot be located, which is the Hendrickson CCC Camp. Many camps still have remaining cultural features intact at the site.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Ozarks History Archives at ozarkshistoryarchives@gmail.com. Ozarks History Archives stores files on every single camp listed including photographs, newspaper articles, and camp records. You can also contact the archives via PO Box 477, Willow Springs, MO, United States, Missouri 65793 or (417) 252-3361.

Vlog Recommendation...Rock On Van Life

 

We recently found the Rock On Van Life channel on YouTube and are enjoying a number of the videos. 

The vlogger, Christine, offers a variety of content and we particularly appreciate her videos showcasing various campgrounds and trails. 

Videos also prominently feature Esther, her 1997 Dodge Roadtrek 190. The vlog currently offers over 60 videos and Christine promises more upcoming adventures!

The latest video features Nerstrand Big Woods State Park in south central Minnesota.

Quick Analysis of RV Shipments in 2024

 Data from the RV Industry Association’s monthly survey of manufacturers for December was recently posted. The total RV shipments of 333,733 in 2024 were 6% higher than in 2023 and exceed the forty-four year average (1981-2024) of 295,146 units shipped. 

In 2024, shipments were well below the peak of 600,240 reached in 2021 and the 2024 shipments are still higher than was experienced through the 1980s and 1990s.

You can see in the chart below that most of the volatility arises from Towable RV shipments. These include four categories [travel trailers, fifth wheels, folding camping trailers, and truck campers]. Motorhome shipments have been more stable in recent years and include those from the larger Class A's and C's, as well as, the Class B vans. 

While the motorhome shipments have been relatively stable overall, there is more variability month-to-month when looking at the subcategories. Class C's are the largest of the three categories. And, Class A shipments historically exceeded those of camper vans. Though this latter pattern changed in late 2021 and since then, more Class B's are shipped each month. 

While relatively small when compared with other categories, Class B shipments of 8,349 units in 2024  are several times larger than the 2,123 units in 2012 or 2,177 units shipped in 2013. 

Also, where Class B's represented roughly 7% of motorhome units shipped from 2012 through 2016, they peaked at 29% of motorhomes shipped in 2022. And, while a bit lower, 23.9% of motorhome shipments in 2024 were Class B's.

Comment below if you have any insights and observations or have questions and suggestions. While we are longtime campers, I do not work in the RV industry. I initially pulled together the numbers as a Covid lockdown project and maintain them now as a hobby.

Walking at Rock Bridge Memorial State Park

 We enjoyed a lovely morning walking yesterday at Rock Bridge Memorial State Park. 

We walked the loops on the Grassland Trail and Karst Trail. After lunch, we then walked a short distance counter clockwise from the Gans Creek Wild Area - Wagon Wheel Trailhead.

I quickly created a short video clip that you can view on YouTube, Walking at Rock Bridge Memorial State Park.

You can also visit AllTrails to view maps of our routes. 

Late September Hiking at the Prairie Garden Trust

 

We enjoyed a lovely fall morning walking at the Prairie Garden Trust near Fulton & New Bloomfield, MO. Rain was predicted and we worried a bit about muddy trails with all the rain we have been receiving. Fortunately there was no rain and the trail surfaces were good.

PGT welcomes visitors to stroll around the PGT April through October. They ask that you let them know a day ahead if it’s your first visit to the area. Contact information and maps are available on their web site.

You can click on the photo above or use the following url https://youtu.be/Gpoeh6rrN7E to see a short video compilation of photos.

You can also see more details on our PGT walk at AllTrails.

Blog Recommendation...Slow Sally & Crew presents a Realistic Picture of Class B Travel

 

Slow Sally & Crew is an interesting blog for those who own or are interested in vintage Class B van life. Nat and Marc are a Canadian couple traveling in a 1994 Dodge Roadtrek. They travel throughout North and Central America with their dog,Walter. 

Their most recent post, "Vanlife: the Mundane, the Bad, and the Ugly," is especially good. It was posted on February 17, 2024 and offers interesting details from their travels that present a more realistic picture of what happens when a couple and their dog take off for adventures.

RV Shipments for 2023

Data from the RV Industry Association’s monthly survey of manufacturers for December was recently posted and the numbers continue to reflect weakness in the industry.  

RVIA reported that RV shipments through December 2023 with 313,174 units, a decrease of (-36.5%) compared to the 493,268 units shipped in 2022 and a decrease of (-47.8%) from peak shipments of 600,240 at the end of 2021.

You can see in the second chart that towable RVs, particularly travel trailers with almost two-thirds of shipments (65.6%), make up the bulk of RV shipments in 2023. 

Together, conventional travel trailers plus 5th wheels comprised (82.7%) of all RV shipments in 2023.

Motorhomes represented 14.6% of RV shipments in 2023 and Class Cs account for just over one-half of the motorhome shipments (52.6%). 

Class B or van campers surpassed Class A shipments in 2023. The overall Class B shipments of 11,932 in 2023 represent (3.8 %) of all RV shipments. 

Class B shipments in 2023 represented (26.0%) of all motorhome shipments, a decrease from the peak of (29.1%) of motorhome shipments in 2022.

While relatively small when compared with other categories, Class B shipments are over 5 times what there were back in 2012. 

Comment below if you have any insights and observations or have questions and suggestions. While we are longtime campers, I do not work in the RV industry. I initially pulled together the numbers as a Covid lockdown project and maintain them now as a hobby.

Mid-December Day at Graham Cave State Park

 I'm playing around with StoryMaps as a tool for pulling together information from our walks. I downloaded data file from AllTrails as .GPX file. Then, uploaded the file into StoryMaps and added photos to create this post from a walk last week.  

I'll appreciate your feedback or if you know of other software tools people can use to better integrate information. You can leave your thoughts in the comments below. Thanks!!

Older Roadtrek 190 Featured by FMCA

The Family Motor Coach Association published a couple of short sketches on two van owners November 20, 2023, "The Travel Van: Where Compact Comfort Meets Adventure,"

One of the featured vans is an older Roadtrek 190 purchased by a woman, Mary, after her husband passed away. She notes that her Roadtrek offers comfortable sleeping, a small kitchen area, and a bathroom. I found it interesting that Mary sometimes uses her Roadtrek a base camp where she can grab her backpack to hike. 

One of the pleasures of our Roadtrek is this ability to park at a trailhead so we have access to our bathroom and can return after hiking to enjoy a pleasant meal or snack.

Roadtrek Family Featured

The November 2023 issue of Family RVing offers an interesting article by William H. Roberts, "The Roberts Family Loves RVing." 

Roberts describes the family's experiences after they purchased their first Roadtrek, a 190 Versatile, after 2000 and a second 1999 190 Popular ten years later. 

The family of five, was initially attracted to the Roadtrek for pulling a boat and for its compact size.

RV Shipments through July 2023

Data from the RV Industry Association’s July 2023 survey of manufacturers was recently posted and the numbers reflect a continuing downward trend in the number of recreational vehicles shipped to dealers.  

RVIA reported that RV shipments ended July 2023 with 20,520 units, a decrease of (-30.5%) compared to the 29,528 units shipped in July 2022.

For the seven months of 2023 ending in July, total units shipped reached 183,927, significantly below the yearlong totals of 600,240 and 493,268 for the peak year of 2021 and 2022 respectively.

You can see in the second chart that towable RVs, particularly travel trailers with 81.6%, make up the bulk of shipments so far in 2023. These numbers also reflect the increasing popularity of travel travel trailers over the past decade.

While Class Cs account for just over one-half of the motorhome shipments, Class B or van campers have surpassed Class A shipments so far in 2023. The overall Class B shipments of 7,524 so far in 2023 represent 4.1 % of all shipments. Class B shipments, while relatively small when compared with other categories, are over 5 times what there were back in 2012. 

U.S. 54

 U.S. 54 is an east–west United States highway that runs northeast–southwest for 1,197 miles from El Paso, Texas, to Griggsville, Illinois.

For a brief period from 1942 to 1971, US 54 reached downtown Chicago.

U.S. 54 runs through our home of Fulton, MO and we'll be occasionally posting content highlighting our travels on the highway. I created a Facebook page at https://facebook.com/USHighway54 where you can also follow along.

There is also a folder on Pinterest where I am saving postcards and other images that reflect life along U.S. Highway 54.

Walking at the Prairie Garden Trust

 
We enjoyed a lovely afternoon walking at the Prairie Garden Trust (PGT) just south of Fulton in Callaway County, MO.

The PGT offers an amazing area with multiple trails and paths that wind through a variety of settings. You can view ponds, lakes, prairie, or woods. We particularly enjoy dropping down to walk along Hillers Creek.

We walked 3.67 miles with 226 feet of elevation change and you can visit AllTrails for a map and related details for our walk.

Visit the PGT website for upcoming events, maps, and more information.

Camping at Finger Lakes State Park

We looked at the upcoming weather reports with a predicted return1 to chilly temperatures and decided to sneak in a mid-week overnight to Finger Lakes State Park. 

The park is just north of Columbia, MO and primarily designed to serve off-road vehicles and motorcycles.  

The park offers a pleasant campground and one trail for bicycles and hikers. The Kelley Branch Mountain Bike Trail is a 2.75 mile loop. Thanks to work of the COMO Trails Association, the trail surface was in good condition and was quite a bit better than the mud we saw on the ORV trails.

You can find more information on our routes at AllTrails, either the Afternoon hike on the Kelley Branch Trail or the Morning Roadwalk.

Walking at Graham Cave State Park

We enjoyed a very pleasant afternoon hiking several trails at Graham Cave State Park located near Danville, MO.

We walked up to the cave and then followed several trails to ultimately reach the campground. We then walked along the park roads back toward the main parking lot where we parked. You can find detailed trail information including maps and short descriptions of each trail on the Graham Cave State Park website. 

You can also see details of our walk on AllTrails with 3.73 miles and 443 feet of elevation change.

Loutre River serves as a western boundary of the state park.

Trail surfaces were generally in very good condition. We walked through a couple 

of muddy spots, but all-in-all, we returned to Annie, our Roadtrek, with clean boots.