Dutch Oven Cooking and Gold Rush Songs: California Trail Center Announces July Programs
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ELKO, Nev. – Learn the basics of Dutch Oven Cooking and enjoy songs about the California Trail and the Gold Rush at the California Trail Interpretive Center during July.
The Trail Center is presenting a variety of programs throughout July. The following programs are free and open to everyone:
July 1, 2:00 p.m.: Dutch Oven Cooking
Dutch oven cooking is a wonderful way to connect with our pioneer past. Join Duane Jones in the pioneer camp and learn the basics of Dutch Oven Cooking. Jones serves as a board member of the California Trail Heritage Alliance.
July 2, 2:00 p.m.: Junior Ranger Program: Shoshone Sage Houses of the Great Basin
Sage houses provided shelter for Native Americans living in the Great Basin. Learn how these structures were built, and work as a team to build a miniature reproduction of a sage house.
July 7, 14, 21, 28, 10:00 a.m.: Pioneer Story Time on Multiple Fridays
Parents are encouraged to bring their young pioneers to the Trail Center for pioneer stories, followed by fun art projects and games. For youth ages four through six.
July 8, 2:00 p.m.: Hank Cramer: Songs from the California Trail and the Gold Rush
Hank Cramer uses folk songs as a vehicle to teach history. Join Cramer for a performance on traditional emigrant and gold rush songs. Cramer is from Winthrop, Washington, and he has performed at the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center in Baker City, Oregon. In 2011, Cramer received the Humanities Washington Award for his efforts in presenting historical music programs throughout rural communities.
July 9, 2:00 p.m.: Junior Ranger Program: Pioneer Journaling: A Glimpse into the Past
Attention all kids: How do we know what the pioneers thought and felt? Because they wrote their stories down in journals and diaries. Learn about pioneer journals, and create your own
journal to document your journeys.
July 15, 2:00 p.m.: All about Wagons: Why Did They Pack That?
Pioneers who were planning to travel to California had to plan everything: what animals, tools, household items, and guns to bring, not to mention food for four to five months. Discover how emigrants packed their wagons for their journeys into the unknown.
July 16, 2:00 p.m.: Junior Ranger Program: Leave it to Beavers
Join BLM biologist Beth Wood and learn all about those busy beavers, nature’s engineers.
July 22, 2:00 p.m.: How the West was Stolen
Learn about western expansion from an American Indian perspective. The speaker, Jens Camp, is a recent American Indian Studies graduate from Arizona State. Camp served as a Native American Studies intern at the Trail Center in 2016. He currently serves as a research associate for the Great Basin Institute at the Trail Center.
July 23, 2:00 p.m.: Junior Ranger Program: Youth Archery
Attention all kids: Learn the basics of archery from Brian Pratt, a certified instructor with the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP). All equipment provided. Space is limited, and registration required. For students age 9 through 15. To register, call 738-1849.
July 29, 2:00 p.m.: The Forty Mile Desert: “The Worst Desert You Ever Saw”
The Forty Mile Desert was one of the most difficult parts of the trail. Along with the crippling temperatures and lack of water, many had to leave behind their animals, personal belongings and sometimes even their wagon in order to make it. This program will discuss the different routes across the desert, the emigrant experiences and their perseverance in reaching California against all odds.
July 30, 2:00 p.m.: Junior Ranger Program: Tomahawk Throwing
Join Brian Pratt and learn how to throw a tomahawk like the mountain men of the Old West.
The California Trail Interpretive Center is located eight miles west of Elko on I-80, Hunter exit 292. The Center is open daily, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission is free.
For more information about the California Trail Interpretive Center, call (775) 738-1849. Visit
the Trail Center online at www.californiatrailcenter.org or
https://www.facebook.com/
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.