Fun and learning on the trail
After a rainy week, the skies cooperated for another successful Oregon Trail event at Anderson Conservation Area.
Over 200 students from Red Oak, Stanton, Villisca, Lewis, Elliott, and home school students participated in this year’s event, following an over two-mile route meant to simulate the long journey made by settlers on the Oregon Trail.
Organizer Deb Karwal said they do everything possible every year to make the event realistic for the students.
“With a basically zero-money budget, we do our best to give the illusion of authenticity. We keep the cars out of the parking lots, I meet with the students beforehand to talk about the history of the Oregon Trail, and how to make a costume for little to no money so they can wear it on the trail and dress like the original settlers did. When the kids all get together, they just look amazing,” Karwal said.
In addition to the clothes, the lunches are also duplicated to simulate the trypes of food eaten by the settlers, and the participants are only allowed to carry water.
The trail also features presentations on history from in-character presenters. Karwal said there were some new faces this year.
“Charm Carpenter presented for the first time, and she’s already making plans on how she can make it even better next year. Also, our Native American medicine woman was portrayed by Leigh Pfeiffer, who replaced my longtime presenter Diana Kia. She really helped us out. I feel like this is a great program, because we were down three or four volunteers before the event started, and a group of people just showed up and offered to help us out. Also, we had a really great new presenter named Leo Yankton, who shared a lot of detailed information on Native American culture.”
In addition to the new faces, the trail also featured some of the Oregon Trail event’s staples, including fiddler Fay Mullinex, Karen Dean and her family, who discussed games and toys from the 1800s, Danny Robertson, who shared information on trapping, Gary Bourrette, who provided wagon rides for the students, and “Goldie Coin,” once again at her familiar spot at the trading post.
Karwal said as always, the students had a great time.
“They really enjoy it, and for the most part, we have no problems with discipline. They know the coins they get at the trading post are for their good behavior. It’s rare that a kid doesn’t get his coins because they gave their teacher a bad time on the trail,” said Karwal.
Now that the 2018 Oregon Trail is completed, Karwal said they are already gearing up to collect more items for the event in 2019.
“The trading post items are made from items that are donated. We accept any craft supplies such as laces or old quilts, buttons for the button buzzers, and pioneer outfits that can be loaned out to students who can’t find other clothing items,” Karwal said.
Karwal said she would also welcome some volunteers who would be willing to be on standby for serving as a trail presenter.
“I will always take their name, and if I get an opening, I would be glad to put them on the site. Usually we have a maximum of six presenters along the trail, and we can sometimes squeeze in seventh.”
Karwal expressed her appreciation to the volunteers who helped make the event successful again this year.
“I really appreciate that everyone came to have a good time this year and got all dressed up to participate,” commented Karwal.
If anyone wishes to make a donation or be a presenter, call Deb Karwal at 623-4753.