In President Roosevelt’s words, “The atmosphere of a whole glorious chapter in our history has been recaptured.”

As you travel down historic Highway 89 you’ll see remnants of days gone by. Travel past ghost towns, ranches, farms, and signs left from travelers of the area, in another era. Hear inspiring stories about the Old West, Outlaws, ancient Native American cultures, resolute pioneers, Utah’s gold rush and Spanish explorations. Listen as the story unfolds of our own renowned artists, writers, and famous movie stars, which are all a part of the fascinating legacy of Utah’s Heritage Highway 89.

There are a multitude of options to stop and see on the way to Wind Walker, like the Fairview Museum (home of the Wooly mammoth, found in the canyon) or the Mount Pleasant Relic House Museum, you can see a fiddle being made or furniture being built, the pioneer way. How about Maple Canyon State Park, or traveling the Mount Nebo loop? Next on the trip is Wind Walker Guest Ranch where:

WE MAKE HISTORY COME ALIVE
AT THE WIND WALKER LEARNING CENTER

During a field trip at Wind Walker Guest Ranch Kids will experience hands on, hands in experiences that will make history come alive for all that participate. Programs are hands-on, hands-in programs designed to give a unique learning experience. All day programs for students require 3 adult chaperones, admitted free of charge. A maximum of 6 adults is allowed per every 35 children. Our activities have been timed to take about 3 hours plus lunch. Each student will be given a set of props that must be returned at the end of the day.

There are different learning experiences to meet your core curriculum or learning objective:
Each activity theme requires a min. of 15 kids and a max. Of 25 kids per each grouped activity. Price is $10.00 each plus $3.25 for a “worry free” lunch. Reserve now for your field trip.

Life in a day of a cowboy/cowgirl:
When your group arrives, each child will be given a hat, chaps and a handkerchief to use while you are here. Students will learn first hand about the cowboy, his life, dress and work. They will learn how to use and throw a rope, care for and saddle a horse, ride horseback, use a branding iron (animals are not used during this demonstration). Why horses should or should not be shoed and more. The class is available to both boys and girls

So you want to be a pioneer:
When you arrive you will be given a pioneer bonnet or tall hat. The boys receive a long coat; the girls are given long skirts. We will begin by sharing the stories of how Sanpete County area was founded. It is now time for our little pioneers to settle the new frontier. In this adventure the children will be given an overview of their journey as in days of old. They will then be sent to the Storehouse and choose the supplies for the journey. They pack them in an authentic looking pioneer handcart (this is a teamwork activity, as each handcart has up to 8 kids assigned to it) Some push some pull. They are given a map and the journey is on. We have added some challenges on the way. The goal of settling this new frontier is to complete their assigned chore mission and get to the place where the trail boss is before lunch.

Life in a day of an 1800’s Utah Native American:
When your group arrives, you will receive a native tunic and a feather head band.
We share the stories and history of what is known of the Natives that lived in this area. Students will take part in daily activities of the Native Americans learning to use flint and steel, native crafts and tracking animals native to the area. They will also learn basic archery and tomahawk throwing (all arrows and tomahawks are safe for children use). You never know the children might have to put to use their newfound knowledge that day.

Life in a day of a Spanish Explorer:
Children will be equipped with a compass, conquistador hat, and a map from yet another explorer.
We will share the history and legends of the Spanish explorers that frequented the area. After their lesson the queen will arrive to give the Explorer their mission. She gives the request to bring back a detailed report of all findings in the New World and any found treasure. Students must find the shortest way to the West Coast (really the pond) and are in search of treasures: gold, spices, and fame. The must document all findings on their map to present to the queen and peers. If a group of students are the first to arrive to bring findings to the queen you are knighted and become Sir (name)_________ with special honors at lunch.

Discover the way of the Mountain Man
Children will receive a raccoon hat, mountain man tunic, and a map.
We will teach the history about the life of a Mountain man and the different obstacles they had to endure as a part of their lifestyles. Then it’s off for your adventure. Children will learn tracking skills on how to hunt wild animals. They will learn the precision of how to use a sling shot and beebee gun to try to hit stationary targets. The kids are then sent to the “wild” to hunt for stuffed animals and skins to prove their mountain man skills. Safe obstacles have been up to give a taste of what mountain men triumph over. Once the animal and skins are found, they will have the opportunity to trade findings at the post.

A day in the life of a Gold Rush 49ner:
Upon arrival, children will receive a pan for panning gold, set of raggedy levies, shirt, and a map.
A lesson about the typical life of a gold miner and tips to finding and excavating gold will be given first. Your students’ job is to find the gold, stake their claim and start panning, or picking. This gold may be in a mine (we have made it quite safe) or in the water or buried on the trail by a band of outlaws that hid it. Your job is to find it and take it to the trading post to redeem the fortune.

A day to discover ancient History
Upon arrival, children will be given a shovel, pair of gloves, and a clue map.
Sanpete County has some very old history that is yet to be dated. Rock writings, lost mines and mysterious treasures have been found. We will share with you the many stories, legends and lour about what it may be. It is time now to do some exploring. We have areas to dig for artifacts, and things just lying in plain sight. Students will analyze what the artifacts meant to the people of before. What were their lifestyles, hobbies, eating habits, and theories on why they disappeared? Collect all the clues and see if you can find the missing links. Return all the clues and you will be crowned the ancient god or goddess for the day at lunch.

Discover why Wind Walker is called Sacred Land
When you arrive you will be given a mystical cape to set the stage of the ancients. Wind Walker has many special vortexes that are sacred. As defined: a sacred site is a locale where the earth’s power radiates more strongly in a vortex of energy. Sacred sites are usually situated on natural energy streams that run beneath the earth’s surface. Ancient people intuited power places, worshipped Nature, the goddess and other deities there, performed healing and other ceremonies, and used them as “temples of learning”. Take a walk with us and see what you find or better yet feel. We will share some things like native smudging before we go and take gifts of cornmeal to give thanks as the native way teaches. The Native American teachings say we are all one no greater or smaller. We will explain what they mean by that. As we go we will share with you some history of the area and how we came to find out about the sacredness of the land.

After lunch choose as a group from:
Pioneer Stories
Frontier Games
Frontier Toys
Cowboy Poetry and songs
Native American stories
Native round dances
Native music making

WE MAKE HISTORY COME ALIVE
AT THE WIND WALKER LEARNING CENTER…