Roaring River WOW School

at Roaring River State Park

10/9/2026 to 10/11/2026 | Roaring River State Park | Cassville, Mo.

Missouri State Parks and Wonders of Wildlife are partnering with a team of agencies to present the Roaring River WOW National Outdoor Recreation and Conservation School. This annual family event offers recreational activities and outdoor skills for beginners to try out with professionals. This year's event features courses on fishing, kayaking, archery, outdoor cooking and more.

Registration is required, and there are fees and age restrictions. Continue reading for more information.

Course Guide:

The most complete information about this event is provided in the Roaring River WOW School Course Guide. Highlights from the guide are provided below.

Location and Transportation:

Check-in will take place inside the Emory Melton Inn and Conference Center at Roaring River State Park. The park is 7 miles south of Cassville in Barry County.

Most classes will take place within the state park and will be a short drive or walk from the park's camping or lodging facilities. Some classes will be held off park property and will require you to provide your own transportation. Please keep this in mind as you schedule your classes. You will receive detailed information about off-site courses in a confirmation letter after you register.

Event times:

  • Check-in starts at 11 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 9.
  • Participants will depart at 5 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 11.
  • A complete schedule is provided in the guide.

Age Restrictions:

  • This event is open to everyone ages 5 and older.
  • Children ages 5-8 must sign up for Kids Camp for Saturday and Sunday. On Friday, they will attend regular courses with their parent or guardian.
  • Children ages 9-12 must be accompanied by an adult to all classes and program activities. This means that the adult/guardian must be registered for and attend the same classes as the child. The only exception is if the child attends the Young Adventurers program on Saturday.
  • Some classes have specific age restrictions or requirements. See the course descriptions in the guide for more information.

Registration and Fees:

  • Registration is required and must be completed online.
    • If you need assistance, please send an email to edu@wondersofwildlife.org.
    • Classes fill up quickly. When registering online, only the classes with availability can be seen for each time slot.
  • Registration opens on Tuesday, Aug. 11, and closes at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 21.
    • Registrations received after Sept. 21, 2026, will be accepted only if space is available and will be subject to a $10 late fee.
  • The fee for participants ages 9 and up is $77.25; the fee for children ages 5-8 is $67.15.
    • These are the total prices for the entire weekend. Service fees are included.
  • The registration fees cover instruction, T-shirts (one per person), use of equipment, dinner on Saturday, and any snacks and meals included in the courses.
  • Financial assistance is available. See the scholarship page of the WOW website for more information.
  • Cancellation and refund requests must be submitted via email to edu@wondersofwildlife.org by Sept. 21, 2026. All refunds are subject to a $10 nonrefundable service fee. Absolutely no refunds will be given after Sept. 21, 2026.
  • Neither a fishing license nor a trout tag is needed during the event.

Overnight Accommodations:

Camping and lodging arrangements and expenses are the responsibility of the individual participant. Various options are available at Roaring River State Park, including hotel rooms, cabins and campsites. 

Hotel and Cabin Reservations at the Park

For hotel and cabin reservations at Roaring River State Park, call 417-847-2330 or book a room through the Roaring River Adventures website. 

Camping Reservations at the Park

Reservations for camping can be made by calling 877-422-6766 or online. Due to the popularity of the WOW school, reserving your campsite as early as possible is highly advised. If you have any problems reserving a campsite, please call the park office at 417-847-2539. 

First-Come, First-Served Camping at the Park

Roaring River State Park also offers other campsites that are available only on a first-come, first-served basis. These campsites can be difficult to obtain, so early arrival is advised.

Lodging Near the Park

For information on other lodging accommodations, please contact the Cassville Chamber of Commerce at 417-847-2814 or browse options on their website.

Meals:

There will be a fish fry on Saturday night. This is included with the price of your registration. Additional meal tickets can be purchased at the registration desk for $10. If you prefer a non-meat option for the Saturday night meal, please note this in your online registration. All other meals will be on your own unless otherwise stated in the course descriptions.

Roaring River Adventures is excited to offer convenient grab-and-go options for both breakfast and lunch during your stay. These meals will be available at the park store. Menus and pricing will be provided at registration and can also be found at the front desk or in the restaurant of the park's Emory Melton Inn.

T-Shirts:

One T-shirt is included in the cost of registration. Additional shirts are available for purchase.

Things to Bring:

  • Participants should dress for the weather, wear closed-toe shoes, and bring a water bottle.
  • All program equipment will be provided.
  • Tents and sleeping bags are available to borrow upon request if booking a campsite reservation.
  • A list of clothing recommendations will be provided with your registration confirmation.

Additional Information:

Contact Information for Roaring River WOW School:

For more information about this event, please contact Wonders of Wildlife at 417-225-1162 or edu@wondersofwildlife.org.

Other WOW Schools:

WOW National Outdoor Recreation and Conservations Schools are also offered in St. Louis and Kansas City. See the WOW Schools website or Missouri State Parks' WOW Schools landing page for more information.