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Current Caravan to begin journey around the Midwest in Wichita

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Wednesday, September 24th 2025 at 18:07 GMT by KCTV News
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Wichita Launches “Current Caravan” on a Midwest‑Wide Mission

On a bright, breezy September morning, the city of Wichita—known for its deep roots in aviation and a growing emphasis on sustainability—took a bold step toward community activism and regional solidarity. At the heart of this initiative is the “Current Caravan,” a volunteer‑led, electric‑powered journey that is set to weave through the Midwest’s most iconic towns and rural landscapes. The caravan, organized by the nonprofit Midwest Caravans Initiative (MCI), will travel for 60 days, covering roughly 2,500 miles across eight states before returning to Wichita in late November.

Why a Caravan?

According to MCI President and Wichita native Maya Patel, the idea germinated after a local farmers’ market discussion where participants lamented the dwindling support for regional agriculture and the environmental costs of freight transport. “We wanted a way to physically and symbolically bring the Midwest’s voices together,” Patel says. “The caravan is both a traveling community and a traveling billboard for change.”

The caravan’s mission is twofold: to showcase the benefits of electric‑powered vehicles and to fundraise for rural education programs. The team plans to partner with local schools along the route to host pop‑up workshops on renewable energy, and they’ll also host “Ride‑and‑Learn” sessions where students can experience electric vehicle (EV) technology first‑hand.

Logistics & Route

The caravan will launch from Wichita’s Edison Avenue on September 24, a date chosen to coincide with the city’s annual “Renewable Energy Week.” A convoy of 12 vehicles, each equipped with solar‑powered charging units, will travel northward, stopping in key towns such as Oklahoma City, Tulsa, and Wichita Falls. From there, the route will shift eastward toward Oklahoma’s heartland, including Tulsa, Oklahoma City, and Oklahoma’s “Sooner City.” After the Oklahoma leg, the caravan will head into Missouri, with scheduled stops in Joplin, Springfield, and Kansas City.

From Kansas City, the caravan will traverse the Gateway to the Midwest, visiting Independence, MO; Columbia, MO; St. Louis, MO; Cincinnati, OH; and Dayton, OH. A significant portion of the journey will also take the caravan through Indiana’s agricultural belt, with planned stops in Bloomington, IN and Indianapolis. Finally, the caravan will wind down through Michigan’s Grand Rapids and Detroit before looping back into Wichita for a grand finale.

The journey will be documented daily on MCI’s official website and Instagram page, allowing residents in every state to follow the caravan’s progress and learn about the EV innovations being showcased.

Participants & Partnerships

While the caravan is driven by volunteers, the MCI has forged partnerships with several local organizations. The Wichita Board of Agriculture is providing logistical support and farm‑to‑school curriculum resources. Sparks Energy, a Wichita‑based solar‑electric firm, will supply the solar panels and charging infrastructure for the vehicles. Green Valley High School will host an EV workshop on the first day of the journey. In addition, Wichita Public Library has pledged to host a “Caravan Library” event at the library’s main branch, where community members can read up on sustainability topics while listening to the caravan’s radio station.

“Having these partners gives us the backbone we need to keep the caravan moving and maintain high visibility,” says Patel. “We’re not just a traveling group; we’re a community partnership that brings tangible benefits to the towns we visit.”

How the Public Can Join In

MCI has set up a dedicated portal at www.midwestcaravan.org (link available in the original KCTV5 article). Residents can sign up for daily newsletters, contribute to the fundraising campaign, or volunteer at any of the caravan’s stops. The website lists volunteer roles ranging from logistical support—such as parking management and food service—to educational outreach and digital media production. For those who prefer to stay at home, the portal offers an interactive map that updates in real‑time, allowing citizens to see where the caravan is on a given day.

The caravan also runs a “Ride‑Along” program for high‑school students from participating schools. Students who register through their school’s transportation office can join one of the caravan’s vehicles for a day. This initiative aims to inspire the next generation of engineers and environmental advocates.

Funding & Support

Funding for the caravan comes from a combination of small‑donation campaigns, local corporate sponsorships, and a generous grant from the Midwest Environmental Foundation. The foundation’s website, linked in the KCTV5 article, details the grant’s criteria: “We seek projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions while supporting rural community development.” MCI’s fundraising page includes a tiered donation system, offering donors perks such as personalized thank‑you videos, exclusive caravan merchandise, and VIP access to the final rally in Wichita.

The caravan’s financial transparency is highlighted by a quarterly report posted on the MCI’s site, where donors can see exactly how much is allocated to vehicle maintenance, educational materials, and community outreach.

What to Expect Along the Way

Patel says the caravan is not just a logistical feat but an experiential journey. “We want people to see how easy it is to drive an electric vehicle for long distances,” she explains. “Our vehicles have been tested for range and reliability; each can travel up to 250 miles on a single charge, and we have mobile charging units that can top up in as little as 30 minutes.”

In addition to EV demos, the caravan will host a series of “Community Conversations” at each stop. These forums, designed to encourage dialogue about sustainability, food security, and rural development, will be moderated by local university professors and MCI staff. The conversations are free to the public, and all participants receive a certificate of attendance that can be added to their academic portfolios.

The Road Ahead

The “Current Caravan” is poised to become a hallmark of the 2025 Midwest landscape. As the convoy sets out from Wichita, the collective enthusiasm of volunteers, partners, and local residents creates a buzz that is expected to ripple through the region. By fusing sustainable technology with community engagement, the caravan promises not only to illuminate the benefits of electric transportation but also to nurture the agricultural roots that have long defined the heartland.

In its final week, the caravan will return to Wichita for a “Grand Rally” on November 20. The rally will feature a live music lineup, a showcase of the vehicles, and a press conference where the caravan’s impact will be reported. The event will also serve as a fundraiser for the rural education programs that the caravan has supported throughout its journey.

For those curious to follow the caravan’s every mile or to learn how they can contribute, the Midwest Caravans Initiative encourages all to visit www.midwestcaravan.org and stay tuned to the KCTV5 “Current Caravan” page for updates. As the caravan winds its way across the Midwest, it carries with it a promise: that a united, electrified future is not just a dream but a road we can all travel together.