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South Dakota:
Lewis & Clark, Creating a Family Field Trip.
Getting out and
doing as well as seeing the real stuff is energizing for everyone, which
is why field trip days during the school year are happy days for kids.
Organizing a family version takes a little more time but is definitively worth
the effort. Just for the fun of it, try
"milking" the cow at the South
Dakota Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre, SD, just like their descendents used
to.
First
encounter of the Sioux kind.
Lewis and Clark Visitor Center, was built on a
bluff overlooking Lewis and Clark Lake and Gavins Point Dam, on the Nebraska
side of the Missouri River across from Yankton, South Dakota. It is an ideal
place to learn more about the expedition, the tribes they encountered and the
river itself. Near this site Lewis and Clark met with the Yankton Sioux and as
the exhibits explain there were many discoveries made.
Bonus Points:
There is a 30-minute video presentation about
the entire Lewis and Clark expedition. Adjacent to the Center is a short trail
leading to the Dorian Prairie Garden with variety of grassland plants labeled to
make identification easy. The Lewis and Clark Recreation Area frames the
Missouri River (Nebraska and South Dakota) upstream from the Visitor Center.
Discovery:
The area offers a full-service
marina, sandy beaches, hiking/biking trails and paved trail that traces the
South Dakota shoreline. (Lewis and Clark Visitor Center. Highway 121. 1(402) 667-2546 or
Lewis and Clark Visitor Center)
River
mission impassable?
The Adams Homestead & Nature Preserve is one
place visitors can see some of the natural “roadblocks” discovered by the
members of the expedition. The river is still unpredictable but no one needs to
pull keelboats over sandbars anymore, nevertheless, this is one of the last
free-flowing segments of the Missouri River that retains its original character.
More than ten miles of hiking and biking trails crisscross the preserve. Located
near southeast corner of state and north of Sioux City, Iowa. (McCook exit off
I-29 and follow the signs. McCook Lake. (1(605) 232-0873 or
The Adams Homestead & Nature Preserve)
Campsite
on a haunted hill.
Spirit Mound Historic Prairie is located along Highway 19 about six miles north
of Vermillion. This location is important because most of the sites where the
Lewis and Clark Expedition camped are now underwater. This prairie mound is one
of a few places described in the journal and accessible today. There is a trail
for hiking to the top. The land is currently being restored to original grasses
similar to the prairie 200 years ago.
Discovery:
According to historic accounts, this is the hill that local tribes believed was
inhabited by dangerous spirits. The explorers could not find evidence of the
danger but a journal entry indicates that from the vista they did see herd of
bison in the distance. (NW corner of the intersection of
SD Highway 19 and 312th Street, Canton. 1(605) 987-2263 or
Spirit Mound Historic Prairie)
When
worlds collide.
The South Dakota Cultural Heritage Center exhibits on Sioux life and culture
include a walk-through tipi as well as clothing and tools typical for North
American Plains Indians. European-American exhibits include France's claim to
the area and a replica of the Jefferson Peace Medal that Lewis and Clark
presented to tribal leaders along the way west. (900 Governor's Drive, Pierre. 1
(605) 773-3458 or
The South Dakota Cultural Heritage Center)
Celebrate,
celebrate!
There is still time to plan a family field trip to South Dakota. Even without
the Lewis and Clark connection , it is an amazing place to enjoy with kids. We
have several dozen cow pictures taken during one of our first drives through the
state. Our then five-year-old had never seen real cows. She did on that
trip and we have photos to prove it. On our next pass through we discovered
bison, less curious than cows they did not pose as well, but our picture
collection increased.
For planning
purposes there are oodles of festivals and reenactments to commemorate the epic
journey through 2006. The checklist from our research starts with the
family-friendly events that provide a living history experience for all ages.
Bonus points: South Dakota has a terrific online visual journey location.
While it is no substitute for the real thing it is a nice way to get a sense of
the journey. Click here to view
Lewis & Clark Online Journey
July
Lewis and Clark Days.
A living history festival with costumed interpreters and crafters.
Demonstrations include flint knapping, forging, storytelling, tipi life and fire
starting. Chamberlain/Oacoma. 1(605) 734-6541.
August
Elk Point
Heritage Days.
The first American election held west of the Mississippi took place in 1804 at
Elk Point. The re enactment of the voting event by the members of the expedition
is part of the annual celebration. There is plenty of period music, costumed re
enactors and crafters. Elk Point. 1(605) 356-2465.
Lewis and
Clark Festival.
Learn how the expedition members lived during the journey westward. View an
encampment, living history demonstrations, cultural entertainment and
educational seminars. Yankton. Lewis and Clark Visitor Center, 1(402) 667-7873
#3246.
Lewis and
Clark Corps of Discovery.
The festival is packed with homemade entertainment. There is a farmer’s market
and Indian dancing and family fun. Mobridge. 1(605) 845-2387
Spirit of
Lewis and Clark Festival.
This festival celebrates the occurrence of a hike completed by the two explorers
while they were in the area. The hike to Spirit Mound is re enacted as part of
the festivities. Visitors will also enjoy heritage demonstrations and Indian
dancing. Vermillion, 1-800-809-2071.
September
Lewis and Clark
Goosefest. The
best of the season and tons of prairie fun. Pierre, 1-800-962-2034.
To obtain a
free Lewis and Clark Trail Guide call 1-800-732-5682 or check out
www.travelsd.com
for a virtual tour.
Read the
book. Explaining
prairie life to children is truly enjoyable. One of the best references is a
series of books written by Laura Ingalls Wilder. The Little House on the
Prairie series provides youngsters with a reference point.
Many of the stories center around her life in the small town of De Smet. In
celebration of her pioneer sagas the residents of De Smet recreate the spirit of
the “Little House” series in an outdoor drama each summer. The location is just
south of town and on the prairie near the five-cottonwood trees planted by Pa
Ingalls. 1(605) 692-2108 or 1-800-880-3383.
www.liwms.com
The photo
below shows visitors at the South Dakota Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre, SD,
as thy gather around to see a demonstration of panning for gold like prospectors
did in the 1800's.
Additional
Resources
USA National Park Service. The National
Park Service’s award-winning "Corps of Discovery II: 200 Years to the Future" is
traveling the country through 2006 the details may be found at
www.lewisclarkandbeyond.com/schedule/ The Lewis & Clark National Historic
Trail offers a general resource for events nationwide. The information is
www.nps.gov/lecl/
National Council of the Lewis & Clark
Bicentennial. This is a a comprehensive website
offering materials to enhance any family adventure. For example available to
parents and educators a CD-Rom (underwritten by Qwest), which contains an
educational curriculum developed by the Missouri Historical Society for
elementary through high school students. Saint Louis, MO 63112-0040. Toll-free
888-999-1803 or
www.lewisandclark200.org
Montana: Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation.
This is a marvelous resource site with not only pages for kids
but many useful links by region and season. Toll-free 1-888-701-3434 - 600
Central Avenue Suite 327 Great Falls, MT 59403 or
www.lewisandclark.org
South Dakota: Lewis and Clark Association.
The Yankton Area Chamber of Commerce along with the Yankton Daily Press and
Dakotan has created Lewis and Clark's Historic Trail site to celebrate Yankton's
place in history. The maps showcase not only South Dakota but the entire route.
The site is great and it provides one more resource for community events.
Yankton Area Chamber of Commerce. 1-800-888-1460.www.lewisclark.net
Lewis and
Clark Audiotape. A useful companion on the road the
audiotape is available on loan at any of the South Dakota Information Centers
along I-90 and I-29. Listen to the stories about the Corps of Discovery as you
drive the trail. Additionally some businesses along the trail sell the tape or
you may order one from the Southeast South Dakota Visitors Association.
1-888-353-7382. The cost is $7.99 plus shipping of $2.50.
www.southeastsouthdakota.com
Lewis and
Clark Audiotape.
A useful companion on the road the audiotape is
available on loan at any of the South Dakota Information Centers along I-90 and
I-29. Listen to the stories about the Corps of Discovery as you drive the trail.
Additionally some businesses along the trail also sell the tape or you may order
one from the Southeast South Dakota Visitors Association. 1-888-353-7382. The
cost is $7.99 plus shipping of $2.50.
www.southeastsouthdakota.com
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Content updated
by TravelComunications.net 8/2009. Details, accurate at the time of
writing, need to be confirmed prior to making plans. Images provided by
South Dakota
State Historical Society.
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