Boone Trail Elementary Celebrates Boone Trail Days

It’s not often that elementary school students gets to shell corn, churn butter, spin wool and visit with a blacksmith all in the same day, but at it’s an annual tradition as old as the hills.

Boone Trail Days is a week long celebration of early American life that starts in the classroom, where teachers incorporate lessons about Native Americans and pioneer life into the curriculum.

On Oct. 6, students spent the day outside enjoying hands-on exhibits including sawing wood, washing clothes by hand, making rope and square dancing.

Fifth grader Caleb Wickman has enjoyed the tradition for years. “I like all of the activities, it’s really fun the stuff we do. We learn how the pioneers lived back then, and the Indians!”

Students get to play with the same types of toys children had on the frontier, and explored the inside of a tee-pee. Authentic period food is served as well, including pioneer stew and apple butter.

“Boone Trail Days has been around for years, it’s something the community really looks forward to, and we have parents and students that still come back to participate even though they don’t go to school here anymore,” said Principal John Schulte. “Friday night is the culmination of the week, the PTA sponsors our chili supper and they have games and hayrides for everyone.”

One of the students who came back to give back was 18-year-old Addie Rowles, dressed as a cowgirl.

“I went here all the way through fifth grade, and it was always the best time of the year and we all looked forward to Boone Trail Days,” said the senior. “I just got my horse last year, and ever since elementary school I wanted to bring my horse here, so I contacted the PTA, and I’m glad I came because the kids really like to see him and pet him.”

This year marks the 21st anniversary of Boone Trail Days, one of the longest running traditions in the .