Baker City, Ore.__The National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center is offering special activities for families during Spring Break, March 27 to 30!
Ninety minute workshops start at 10 a.m. each day. The daily themes include:
Monday, March 27: Pioneer for a Day – Dress up in pioneer clothing and work with other kids in an interactive overland simulation. Make decisions and explore the Trail as you tour the Center with Ranger Rachael. Try your hand at kneading hardtack and have a taste of dutch-oven grub.
Tuesday, March 28: Heirloom Gardening – Ranger Rachael leads this workshop about foods that pioneers grew. Hear the legend of the three sisters (“corn, squash, beans”) and make your own seed pellet to take home and plant.
Wednesday, March 29: Solar Eclipse – Ranger Cheri teaches eclipse legends of the Native Americans, and helps you build a model of the sun and moon, so you can show others how solar eclipses happen.
Thursday, March 30: Making a Fire the Old-Fashioned Way – Ranger Jeremy will help you make your own char cloth and practice safely starting a camp fire with a flint and steel.
Workshops are suitable for ages six and up. There is a charge of $5.00 for each workshop. All supplies included. Entrance fees apply; all visitors 15 and under are always free. Space is limited, so pre-registration is encouraged. For more information or to register, call (541) 523-1852 or email ots1844@gmail.com.
Films for youth will also be shown daily in the theater at 10:00 a.m. and noon. Junior Explorer Activities and the interactive children’s exhibit “Wagons Ho! Experience the Oregon Trail” are also open daily, with a puppet box activity for younger visitors. On Friday, there will be pioneer themed hands-on activities for all visitors at no additional charge from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
The National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center is located five miles east of Baker City, Oregon on Highway 86. Take Exit 302 from I-84. The Center is currently open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily. Admission for adults is $5 and $3.50 for seniors; children 15 and under are admitted for free. Federal passes are also accepted. Call (541) 523-1843 for updates on programs and events or visit oregontrail.blm.gov.
