Learn2 Paddle
Have you ever wanted to try kayaking but didn't know where to begin? Do you want to get out on the water but don't have your own kayak? You're in luck! Missouri State Parks is offering to teach you how to paddle and have a safe and enjoyable time on the water.
This summer, staff will be offering kayaking instruction at select Missouri state parks. This is a great opportunity to try something new in a welcoming outdoor environment. No experience is necessary.
Learn2 Paddle is open to ages 12 and up. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED and costs $5 per person.
Program Details
Missouri State Parks Provides:
- Kayaks
- Paddles
- Life jackets
- Instructors
You Provide:
- A good attitude and willingness to learn
- Appropriate swimwear and footwear
- A change of clothes and a towel
2026 Upcoming Dates and Locations
| Date | Event | Park | Body of Water | Time | Registration Opens | Registration Closes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 13 | Learn2 Paddle | Finger Lakes State Park, Columbia | Peabody Lake | 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. | May 1 | Jun 11 |
| Jun 13 | Learn2 Paddle | Annie and Abel Van Meter State Park, Miami | Lake Wooldridge | 10 a.m. to noon | May 11 | Jun 11 |
| Jun 13 | Learn2 Paddle | Annie and Abel Van Meter State Park, Miami | Lake Wooldridge | 1-3 p.m. | May 11 | Jun 11 |
| Jun 20 | Learn2 Paddle | Mark Twain State Park, Florida | Mark Twain Lake | 9 a.m. to noon | May 13 | Jun 18 |
| Jun 21 | Learn2 Paddle on Father's Day and the summer solstice -- Celebrate Father's Day and the start of summer. This event will be followed by a Learn2 Aim program. Registration for Learn2 Aim is separate. | Mark Twain State Park, Florida | Mark Twain Lake | 9 a.m. to noon | May 13 | Jun 19 |
| Jul 9 | Learn2 Paddle | Watkins Mill State Park, Lawson | Williams Creek Lake | 10 a.m. to noon | Jun 5 | Jul 7 |
| Jul 9 | Learn2 Paddle | Watkins Mill State Park, Lawson | Williams Creek Lake | 1:30-3:30 p.m. | Jun 5 | Jul 7 |
| Jul 11 | Learn2 Paddle | Finger Lakes State Park, Columbia | Peabody Lake | 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. | Jun 5 | Jul 9 |
| Jul 18 | Learn2 Paddle | Mark Twain State Park, Florida | Mark Twain Lake | 7:30-10 a.m. | May 13 | Jul 16 |
| Aug 8 | Learn2 Paddle | Finger Lakes State Park, Columbia | Peabody Lake | 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. | Jul 3 | Aug 6 |
| Aug 8 | Learn2 Paddle and freshwater jellyfish program -- Learn about the park's freshwater jellyfish and paddle among them. | Mark Twain State Park, Florida | Tom Sawyer Lake | 10 a.m. to noon | May 13 | Aug 6 |
| Aug 8 | Learn2 Paddle and freshwater jellyfish program -- Learn about the park's freshwater jellyfish and paddle among them. | Mark Twain State Park, Florida | Tom Sawyer Lake | 1-3 p.m. | May 13 | Aug 6 |
| Aug 21 | Learn2 Paddle | Thousand Hills State Park, Kirksville | Forest Lake | 6-8 p.m. | Jul 24 | Aug 19 |
| Aug 22 | Learn2 Paddle | Thousand Hills State Park, Kirksville | Forest Lake | 10 a.m. to noon | Jul 24 | Aug 19 |
| Aug 28 | Glow Paddle -- Experience sunset and nighttime on the lake during this Learn2 Paddle event featuring glowing kayaks. | Mark Twain State Park, Florida | Mark Twain Lake | 6-9 p.m. | May 13 | Aug 26 |
| Aug 29 | Learn2 Paddle and freshwater jellyfish program -- Learn about the park's freshwater jellyfish and paddle among them. | Mark Twain State Park, Florida | Tom Sawyer Lake | 10 a.m. to noon | May 13 | Aug 26 |
| Aug 29 | Learn2 Paddle and freshwater jellyfish program -- Learn about the park's freshwater jellyfish and paddle among them. | Mark Twain State Park, Florida | Tom Sawyer Lake | 1-3 p.m. | May 13 | Aug 26 |
| Sep 26 | Glow Paddle -- Experience sunset and nighttime on the lake during this Learn2 Paddle event featuring glowing kayaks. | Mark Twain State Park, Florida | Mark Twain Lake | 5-8 p.m. | May 13 | Sep 24 |
Things to Consider Before You Register
- Missouri State Parks recommends that the safest option is for you to bring your own life jacket for this program; however, there will be life jackets provided if you need to borrow one.
- Please wear appropriate swimwear and footwear, as you may get wet. We recommend closed-toe shoes you don’t mind getting wet and that have a back (e.g., old tennis shoes or water shoes).
- Participants must be at least 12 years of age. Children ages 12-16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian during the entire program.
- Participants should be comfortable around water.
- Each event will be held in a Missouri state park, and all rules and regulations apply.
- Alcohol and tobacco products are prohibited.
- The traditional Learn2 Paddle program is focuses only on flatwater kayaking. If you are at least 18 years of age and would like to gain paddling experience on moving water, be sure to check our new Learn2 Paddle Series.
Registration
Registration is required for Learn2 Paddle, and there is a fee of $5 per participant.
Click on the "REGISTER HERE" link below to register. When you get to the registration website, click on the green “Show sessions ” box. A list of upcoming classes will pop up. Click on the green “Sign Up!” button to register for an event. All slots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Register Here
If a class is full, please enroll using the waitlist function. If an opening in the class becomes available, you will be notified by the Learn2 staff via email or phone call.
If you have any questions, please email Kintauna Myles with Missouri State Parks at kintauna.myles@dnr.mo.gov.
Waitlist
If the activity you are looking to join is full, please join our waitlist by signing up for that program on the registration tab. Once a cancellation has been approved, a staff member will contact the first waitlist individual via email to prompt them to secure their spot within a 48-hour period. No response within that 48-hour time period will result in the customer being removed from the waitlist and the next individual being contacted.
How to Cancel a Reservation
Seven or more business days in advance of the scheduled event date: Customers are able to cancel their reservations themselves and receive a full refund (when applicable). To cancel, the customer should log in to their icampmo account, find the reservations/activities that they are signed up for, and hit "Cancel" for the reservation that they wish to cancel.
Six or fewer business days in advance of the scheduled event date: Anyone needing to cancel a reservation six or fewer business days in advance of the scheduled event date should contact kintauna.myles@dnr.mo.gov. Per Missouri State Parks' refund policy, customers canceling an event registration six or fewer business days in advance of the scheduled event date agree to forfeit their reservation refund (when applicable), regardless of the circumstances.
Event Day Contact Information
To get more information about Learn2 Paddle on the day of the event, please contact the appropriate park office. Each park's contact information can be found by clicking on the location name in the above table.
Event Cancellation Disclaimer
Missouri State Parks reserves the right to cancel programs and events if necessary. If a Learn2 Paddle event is canceled, customers will be refunded in full to the original form of payment within seven business days of the cancellation notice.