GNS: Retracing the Steps of the Voyageurs
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Ms. Gunderman’s Grade 5-6 class from Wildwood School went on an amazing field trip to Eagle Point in February!
The theme of the day was the History of the Fur Trade. In the old rustic cabin, students watched a play performance about David Thompson, the famous mapmaker. The set was full of authentic artifacts that made them all feel like they were inside a real trading post far back in time!
After the play and time to ask questions, the kids headed outside and divided up into two teams representing competing fur trade companies: the Hudson’s Bay and the North West Company. Wearing the brilliantly coloured red and blue wool capes of their “team”, the kids trekked off into the forest in search of wood tokens that represented “furs”. These weren’t easy to see, but both teams found a
basket full! Then the students returned into the trading post to tally up their total gatherings and determine what goods they wished to barter for.