California. Before the Gold Rush. What was life in Sacramento like at the time? Step back in time and experience it first-hand! From the moment you step into the fort, you will be surrounded by the sounds, activities, and smells of life in early California. Students will experience life at the fort through demonstrations and hands-on activities. They will learn how to efficiently pack a wagon, bake bread, churn butter, spin & weave, grind wheat, and watch the blacksmith at work! Of course, no day at the fort is complete without a little square dancing and entertainment, and that is exactly how we end the day! Feel free to explore our website for more information and please contact us with any questions.
How it works:
This experience requires the participation of parent volunteers. After signing up for the field trip with your charter school, you will receive a link to register for the event and select the station you would like to manage on the day of the event. The stations reflect the jobs people at the fort would do on a daily basis: baking, cooking, washing, trapping, spinning and weaving, making rope, grinding wheat, and caring for cattle, There will be several parent volunteers at each station - nobody will be expected to run a station by themselves! Training will take place virtually, via YouTube, and we will be in contact to answer any questions you might have, including an optional pre-visit zoom meeting which will specifically address any station questions you might have.
Student groups will rotate through the various stations, actively participating and learning along the way, and there will also be several demonstrations throughout the day, rounding up the educational experience. Together we will prepare lunch and supper to eat at the fort, the day concludes with music and dancing. Please note: Period clothing is not allowed at the fort.