Boone Trail Elementary celebrates Boone Trail Days

Classroom lessons came to life this week for students at Boone Trail Elementary in the Wentzville School District.  Students had an opportunity to shell corn, churn butter, spin wool, and visit with a blacksmith during the school’s Boone Trail Days. This year marks the 22nd anniversary of Boone Trail Days, one of the longest running traditions in the Wentzville School District.

The annual tradition 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 Thursday, Oct. 11, students spent the day outside enjoying hands-on exhibits including sawing wood, churning butter, making rope and square dancing.

Fifth-grader Alexis Becker has enjoyed the activities for years. “It’s a lot of fun,” Alexis said. “I look forward to learning about what life was like and how people lived hundreds of years ago.”

Students played with the same types of toys children had on the frontier, and explored the inside of a tee-pee.

“I’m learning all kinds of stuff like making ropes and cutting logs,” said kindergarten student Landon Steinmann. “It’s really cool.”

Authentic period food was served as well, including pioneer stew and apple butter, which students helped make.

“Boone Trail Days has been around for years, it’s something the students and the community really look forward to. We have families that come back every year to participate even though they don’t go to school here anymore,” said Principal John Schulte. “The kids enjoy all the activities and the stew and apple butter and the opportunity to live like pioneers – even if it is just for one day.”

Friday, Oct. 12, is the culmination of the week when the PTA sponsors a chili supper with games and hayrides for all.

“I like everything about it,” said first-grader Emily Wisker. “Especially grinding the corn and learning about Indians.”