A Student’s Perspective

Have you ever thought of traveling west like a pioneer? Well, we got to be pioneers when we (fifth graders) went on our annual Westward Ho trip. We started by making cornbread, gingerbread cake, biscuits, and applesauce. It was a lot of work preparing for the trip. We had to learn a lot. Then we could be able to accurately simulate the pioneers.

The day of Westward Ho was here and our wagons that we built with canvas covers were full to the brim! We started by walking around the blacktop three times. Everyone came out and waved us goodbye. Then we started really moving. We started off on sidewalks, but then we got to go off road on grass one to two feet high. Our leader, Wild Bill, would stop us periodically and give us information about the real pioneers. After, we did a lot of creek crossings where we would have to pick up the wagon. I really liked the water!

By 11:30 we stopped for lunch at one of the holes on the Norbeck Country Club’s golf course. Whenever someone was about to hit the ball, everyone would get silent. Then once they hit the ball, everyone would start cheering.

After lunch we got to go into the forest. There was a really big hill we got to go down which was fun. There were many other creeks. Then we had the biggest hill ever. We needed to go up it. It was a lot of work, but we made it up. At the last creek everyone was sad. We wanted to go over another creek. The last main part was this really wobbly bridge with no sides. It was really dangerous!

Finally, we got to the Smith Center. Everyone was relieved. It was the hardest field trip I’ve ever gone on. We made Santa Fe Stew and ate a lot. It was really good. We also had the sides we had made before hand. Next we did square dancing. Then we went home from the best field trip ever!!!

A.B.
former 5th grader,
Mrs. Bowles' class