Our pioneer experience endeavors to recreate all the work that went into making the daring overland journey from the eastern United States out to the wilds of California. Students learn of the difficulties faced by those overland emigrants as they made their way, often on foot, across two thousand miles of land they had only heard about through word of mouth or read about in books! This camp is a three-day session and upon arrival students first learn the basics of what a wagon train was. They pick who among them will represent oxen, a driver, wheels and wagon train officers. The second day students begin a simulation of life on a wagon train and the overland journey that takes them on trails all over camp. Students face important decisions to be made along the way.

Besides a historical simulation, we have found this program to be excellent in building team work skills and learning the necessity of working together. The duration of the simulated journey depends on the variables with which students are confronted. Will they take the shortcut that will supposedly save them one week’s journey? Will they take extended breaks? How will the wagons fare? Will wagon axles break? Will animals become dehydrated? The journey is an organic experience that takes on a different slant every time it is attempted just as it did one hundred and fifty-six years ago.

At the end of the "emigration", students "arrive in the gold fields" and celebrate the conclusion of such a long journey. Now they must set to work and make the transformation from emigrant to gold miner and begin the process of learning how to mine. Day three is typically an excursion day to Columbia. Because the wagon journey is such an essential part of the pioneer camp curriculum, the journey is conducted in any kind of weather. We ask that those groups who choose the pioneer camp come prepared with rain gear and extra clothes in case of ill weather.

Pioneer Experience Curriculum

What Is a Wagon Train: Students learn the particulars of the long trains of wagons that shook and creaked across the country in vast numbers. They learn that they were highly organized and cohesive. To travel independently meant failure. Dependence on fellow company members was key to success and team work was absolutely essential.

Organize Your Company: Students learn the intricacies of the highly organized wagon companies that traveled west to California. Students choose a company name, split into more manageable wagon groups of seven students each (called messes), and then from inside their messes they nominate fellow students for the positions of Captain, Lieutenant, and Scout(s). They must hear why each nominee feels confident in their possible appointment and then vote on the candidate they feel best fits the job. Choose well! The Captain commands the train and makes all final important decisions.

Stocking the Wagon: What to take? That was perhaps the biggest question that an emigrant had to ask him or herself. Too many took too much and had to abandon supplies so as to not overtax their oxen and be able to complete the perilous journey. Your students will have to determine the most important supplies with which to load their wagons. Choose carefully!

Trail Dangers: Until the journey was finally behind them, no emigrant truly knew what to expect of their overland journey. The outset of the move was full of both excitement and trepidation. Indians? Disease? Wild animals? What is out there waiting for me? The journey puts students in the emigrant’s shoes and they experience some of the dangers faced to reach the gold fields.

Journal Writing: Throughout the pioneer experience students make journal entries (in journals provided by OORGC) that describe (as though it were 1849) their experiences before, during, and after the journey. They write as though they are prospective miners dealing with all the trials and tribulations of the trail. These journals are used as reinforcement tools later in the program to provide context for the overall lesson.