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

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.