Annual Pioneer Day is here!

At Gilpin School

Jane Yerkman

04/24/2008 - Pioneer Day is a full day of student-centered activities that takes place at the end of April each year. Our students are given the assignment when they get back to school after Winter break. For months they work to pull together various projects that culminate into a full day of activities based on life in the Old West. One of our fifth grade teachers, Joyce Campbell, started this program five years ago when she came to Gilpin Schools. Based on a similar program that she taught for 15 years while in Idaho, Campbell also enjoys bringing our local history to the classroom for all fourth grade students to learn by participation.

  One of the activities is called the Colorado Box Museum project where students are given the assignment of researching and presenting one topic area representing life in the Old West. Some of these topics include Mining, Clothing, Trails, Native Americans, Transportation, Towns and Buildings, and Antiques. Students design a box museum using a large box to display the various articles to describe their topic. After completing research, and putting together their box museums, students write a two-page report and present their findings to our third graders. This is a great way to get our “incoming” fourth grade students enthusiastic about what they may research and present next year.

  Starting early in the morning with Native American designed face painting, and the coordination of a Pioneer breakfast for all students, The Pioneer Reader’s Theatre will be  the adaptation of, “On the Banks of Plum Creek.” Presented by Campbell and Manier, this is a play based on the Little House on the Prairie series about the experiences of Laura Engels Wilder growing up in the Old West. Later on, our very own local historian, Neal Standard, becomes Henry Teller, and teaches our students about what became known as the "Richest Square Mile on Earth." Central City’s mayor, Buddy Schmalz, speaks to our students about the history of Central City and gold mining. Ms. Crowe will teach our students about Indian Regalia and our very own Ron Berg “cowboys up” with songs and his guitar.

  In the early afternoon the Trail Walk starts. Students become team members in a pioneer family wagon pull. With wagons that have been decorated to represent what people during the Old West traveled in, each team stocks its wagons with water and snacks, and start out on a “trail ride” around the school district campus. They pull their wagons once around the football field to represent 100 miles the Pioneers traveled. The goal is to travel 1000 miles. Some make it, some don’t. The lesson teaches students what our Pioneers went through to travel and keep their families alive. It’s also a lesson in teamwork.

  “It’s a full day of activities, and the kids love it,” explained Campbell. “I really have to thank all of the staff members, community members, and parents, who volunteer their time throughout the day to make it such a success. I think teaching our students about the Old West, and our own history, gives them an idea that even though it was tough back then, the Pioneers developed a strong sense of family and friendship that has been passed on throughout history.”

  This year our 5th and 6th grade students are presenting a World Market Day and Food Fest along with Pioneer Day. Presentation of World Market Day takes place in the multi-purpose room. Students will learn about ten countries and nineteen different states.