For nearly a decade Missouri Kids Unplugged has helped young people disconnect from addictive technology by inviting them to explore the outdoors at the organization’s facility near Dittmer and at special events throughout the St. Louis region.
Sunfish are better than screen time; catching crappie kicks computer games; a lake shoreline is way more tranquil than social media. Tony Krieg founded the organization in 2015 to help parents get their children off the couch and away from their devices long enough to get hooked on fun outside.
“My favorite success stories are having young adults coming up to me saying that they caught their first fish at our farm six, seven, eight or nine years ago, and that because of that experience they have continued fishing as a favorite hobby,” Krieg said.
The 167-acre MKU property on state Highway B between Hillsboro and Cedar Hill features three lakes and a pond. Events held throughout the year include Family Fishing Days, recycling education, outdoor crafts programs in cooperation with Home Depot, a hot-air balloon glow in the fall and plans for solar-eclipse viewing this spring.
“At our family fishing days, we get to see so many first-time fishermen catch their first fish,” Krieg said. “The day is filled with smiles and squeals of excitement.” He estimated that about 1,000 people visit the farm for fishing and fun each year, plus they encounter thousands more at events they participate in with partner organizations to promote electronics recycling and getting kids outdoors.
MKU’s annual event this time of year is an auction that raises funds to support the not-for-profit throughout the year. Scheduled for Feb. 10, the event is sold out.
“It’s one of the events that allows us to fund all of our programs for free,” Kreig said. “We will have a casino night sponsored by Express Mart on May 10th, and we will be working with First State Community Bank offering an electronics recycling day on April 18th that will help fund our programs.”
Proper recycling for computers, television screens and other devices with a power cord or that operate with battery power continues to be a point of emphasis for the organization, with proceeds benefiting the outdoor activities for kids.
“I owned an electronics recycling business for years,” Krieg said. “We connect our passion for proper recycling of these items to fishing. We utilize any funds we get from the recycling to fund our free programs to the public.”
The most popular event at the farm is a balloon glow, which attracted more than 400 people for its second annual edition in October. Visitors were asked to bring non-perishable food items for the Peace Pantry in Dittmer and any small electronics for recycling, like telephones and laptop computers.
Volunteers help make the events successful and many helping hands make the work fun.
“We are always looking for helpers to prep for events and help during our activity days,” Krieg said. “We have people to help kids build a toolbox or birdhouse, or help take fish off a hook.”
For more information about the organization, visit missourikidsunplugged.org or follow the group’s Facebook page for regular updates on events and activities.
John Winkelman has been writing about outdoors news and issues in Jefferson County for more than 30 years and was the Associate Editor for Outdoor Guide Magazine. If you have story ideas for the Leader outdoor news page, e-mail ogmjohnw@aol.com, and you can find more outdoor news and updates at johnjwink.com.