MDC offers free Missouri River float trips at Kansas City on Aug. 25 Participants can sign up starting Aug. 1 and must attend orientation on Aug. 14 Kansas City, Mo. – The Missouri River awaits modern day explorers who want to experience the sights and sounds found along a big river. A free series of guided float trips by canoe or kayak will be offered on the river Saturday, Aug. 25, by the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC). Participants must also attend an orientation on Tuesday, Aug. 14. MDC staff will lead and accompany participants for three-hour float trips on Aug. 25. Three different floats are scheduled during the day. The trips will begin at Platte Landing Park in Parkville, and the takeout point will be eight miles downstream at Kaw Point in Kansas City, Kan. MDC will provide canoes, kayaks, and transportation from the takeout back to the launch site. Participants may sign up for one of the three floats offered. A “Day Dawns Bright” float will be from 6 to 9 a.m. Participants should dress for the weather, bring drinking water, a flashlight, and a simple breakfast to enjoy on the river. The “Day Float” will be from noon to 3 p.m. Participants should bring a hat, drinking water, sunscreen, and a lunch. A “Sunset Float” will be from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Participants should dress for the weather and bring bug spray, a flashlight, drinking water, and a dinner to enjoy on the river. The orientation sessions on Aug. 14 will be offered from 4 to 5:30 p.m., 5:30 to 7 p.m., and 7 to 8:30 p.m., at the Burr Oak Woods Nature Center in Blue Springs. MDC staff will talk about navigation on the river and details about the float trip. Participants will get a chance to learn paddle strokes and canoe skills with canoes at the education pond at Burr Oak Woods. This program is for adults 18 and older. Reservations are required and space is limited. MDC will begin accepting reservations at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 1. To make a reservation, call Lisa LaCombe at 816-228-3766.