Frequently Asked Questions

The Dana Brown Overnight Center (DBOC) is Shaw Nature Reserve's environmental learning campus.  The campus consists of 2 dining halls, 4 cabins, and a shower house.  We use this space to host day field trips and overnight experiences for children in grades 4-12.  Want to learn more?  Here is a virtual tour of the Nature Reserve and DBOC campus.

Our DBOC staff consists of 1 school programs coordinator and 2 outdoor educators.  All staff have expertise in teaching children in the outdoors, have undergone federal and multi-state background checks, and are trained in first aid and CPR/AED.  For more information about DBOC staff, check out their bios here!

Students will be sleeping in 4 historic cabins.  Each cabin has a student bunk area, a separate chaperone sleeping area, and a bathroom with a sink and a toilet.  All DBOC buildings have central heating and air conditioning.  Interested in learning more?  Check out this virtual tour of the Nature Reserve and the DBOC campus.

The DBOC does not provide any food.  You will have access to a full kitchen, complete with appliances (fridge, microwave, coffee maker, oven/stove, toaster, dishwasher) and cooking and serving ware.  We stock enough cooking and serving ware to accommodate approximately 50 people at a time.

For the safety of our buildings, grills are not allowed at the DBOC. There is a fire pit located next to each dining hall that is available for your use.  To prevent the spread of exotic species, please do not bring your own firewood; DBOC will provide wood for you onsite at no charge.

Nope!  Our dining halls stock enough cooking and serving ware to accommodate approximately 50 people at 1 time.

Teachers and chaperones are responsible for scheduling and leading evening activities for their students.  Many school groups enjoy nighttime activities such as campfires, roasting marshmallows, and going on night hikes.  You will have access to a fire pit, firewood (please do not bring wood), matches/lighters, and roasting sticks.

 Your school programs coordinator is happy to suggest and chat about possible nighttime activities with you!

DBOC staff will do everything we can to provide superb education programming regardless of weather.  DBOC staff reserves the right to cancel or modify programs for weather-related concerns including thunderstorms, heat, snow/cold, unsafe trail conditions, and more. If your reservation is canceled entirely, we will do our best to reschedule you at a later date.  Click here to check out the current weather forecast for the Nature Reserve.

Ticks, chiggers, and mosquitos are present at the Nature Reserve.  We recommend applying an insect repellent that contains at least 40% DEET.  We also recommend doing frequent “tick checks". Here is a great resource to learn more about tick safety.

Our area’s most common venomous snake is the Eastern Copperhead.  Copperheads are relatively reclusive snakes who avoid heavily trafficked areas. Snakes are sometimes seen sunning on the gravel roads throughout the Nature Reserve.  Please be respectful of all animals at the Nature Reserve by observing them from a safe distance.  Here is a great resource to learn more about Missouri's snakes.