Indian/Pioneer Camp--June 24-June 27

Our week started out Monday morning, coming home from Canby, to do laundry, and prepare for the busy week ahead. Tuesday we were to start our Pioneer camp. Tracey & I needed to over some things, and I had errands to run in Lebanon, so we picked up pizza and got together for supper. (I know...you're all so surprised...haha). We went over all of our items needed for our cooking classes this week, made some lists, and worked out our schedule for the week.

Tuesday started bright and early, arriving at the school at 8:30--as we started at 9:30, and we had to "organize" our items into the kitchen at the school.



We had a great day, learning about the Calapooia Indians that were in our area. We did crafts, learned some Indian dances and of course made Indian flat bread, fruit leather and jerky. The kids really liked all three stations (Cooking, crafts, dance) and we prepared for our next day--our hike to the Cascadia Caves. We cleaned up and headed home exhausted. I needed an hour & a half nap prior to being able to fix supper!!

Wednesday started at 9AM being in Brownsville, only to drive back through Sweet Home on the bus to head to the caves.



We met Mr Farquay of the Forest Service at 10:00 AM. He talked to us until about 11:30, and we hiked back to the caves. It was an incredible walk and a beautiful day. We enjoyed our lunches at the caves while Mr Farquay talked with us. The kids really enjoyed putting together the things that we learned. I felt bad that we were on a time schedule, as I wasn't ready to head back yet, but when you have a group of kids that are being picked up at a certain time, it kind of stinks!! We still enjoyed the time we spent, and hope to do it again someday.

Thursday was another fun learning day. This time we were working on pioneers. We had three stations again--foods, crafts & dancing. Tracey & I were in the kitchen with the kids again, making biscuits, fresh butter and fresh strawberry jam. We made enough jam that each student got to take home their own small container to share with their families. The kids also made trapper journals, rag dolls and learned some fun dances.




Kristin brought the O'Hara girls home with us, as well as her friend Sydney--they had a great time playing together. We had lots of plays and dress up time.



Friday we were off again on a field trip. We visited the Historic Moyer House in Brownsville as well as the Brownsville Museum. This museum is packed with info..and a great place to take the kids. We had a neat gentleman (sorry, forgot his name) who made a replica of the wagon that is the museum (which is one of only 3 remaining wagons from the Oregon Trail), but his wagon is miniature. It is a cutaway version, and he has just about everything you would pack in a wagon too!! Check out the pictures. The kids also got to do a scavenger type hunt in the museum...a great activity where they had to seek items, read things, and look around. We also have Mrs Nelson give a tour of the Moyer House...she is so awesome with the kids. She gave us "grandma's apron" talk where she put on the apron and told us all those things that an apron was used for back in the old days! It was a great day.



We walked the kids to the park, where parents picked them up and it was a nice ending to a great week. Tracey & I let our kids swim in the river there at the park for a few hours, and then we headed home...me with 5 girls, and Tracey with 2 boys.