PES students go full frontier for a day
Dan Smit… I mean… John Collins addresses the fourth-grade students at Pinehurst Elementary School during their annual Mountain Man Rendezvous.
Courtesy photo
Pinehurst Elementary School fourth-grade teacher Mrs. Derbyshire, engages students in a game of chance similar to how the frontier men of old days would gamble, during the school's Mountain Man Rendezvous.
PINEHURST — The annual Mountain Man Rendezvous at Pinehurst Elementary School was last week as the students got to participate in a fun-filled day prior to school letting out for spring break.
The event is part of the school’s fourth-grade curriculum and includes a living history lesson, a skills fair of sorts — complete with foot races, tug-of-war, silent bartering, gambling, hatchet throwing (substituting markers for hatchets) and “fur” trading.
Each student came to the rendezvous with 10 furs (which were represented by tickets), which they could then use to enter contests, barter or gamble with.
Following the skills fair, the students got to take an in-depth look at what life was like in the early 1800s as Dan Smith presented his living history presentation of John Collins.
John Collins was an original member of the Corps of Discovery on the Lewis and Clark Expedition and one that Smith believes would have really fit the mold of the early Silver Valley settlers.
“Why John Collins? — Type Casting,” Smith said. “Collins was the single most disciplined person in the permanent expedition. Collins received 150 lashes in two separate court marshals. And he got away with a bunch of other stuff. Even after all this, he was treated with some level of privilege by the captains. It also seems like John Collins would fit right into the Silver Valley.”
Through the telling of stories, and answering questions, Smith performs what he calls "living history."
“Living history can really bring a story to life,” Smith said. “Kids learn in so many ways — reading about the expedition is very different from listening to a skilled interpreter tell it in a totally different manner.”
The students and staff all enjoyed Smith’s presentation, which seems to be the highlight of the annual event.
“Dan's presentation kept the kids captivated and he answered many questions afterwards, both in character and as himself,” said Eli Bourgard, PES fourth-grade teacher. “This presentation corresponded to our Lewis and Clark unit also in our Idaho History curriculum. We’d like to thank Dan for once again volunteering his time to help us learn more about this exciting time in our state's history.”
Idaho History is a regular part of the fourth-grade curriculum for Idaho students.
“The fourth-grade teachers and all the students wish to thank Dan for his time and the unforgettable experience he shared with us,” said PES Principal Mike Groves.
