Blog Post: June 29

Most of our time on June 29th was spent on the bus; it was a big travel day for the OSNV crew. We used some of the bus time to reflect on our experiences and the experiences of Civil War soldiers.

Lorie S.
OSNV is a one in a lifetime experience. How many people can say they traveled to many historical sites in 12 different states within the time of two weeks? I've even watched the sun set from the to of the St. Louis Arch! We have stayed in tents for more than half of the time. How amazing this trip is! A challenge Civil War soldiers faced was the lack of uniforms and wet gun powder. The experience of camping has helped me understand the life of a CW soldier because of the temperature and conditions that the soldiers slept in.

Erika
My experience at this year's OSNV camp has been great. We've been to nine of the twelve states that we planned to go see. So far, we've camped out four nights (all but one at a KOA campsite), once in a hotel and one in the University of Kentucky dorms. Along the way we've been to museums, battle sites and best of all, a water park! We have so much more to do in such little time. It will be fun. Many Civil War soldiers had troubles such as bad hygiene, bad communication and uniforms and flags that didn't match. Camping out every night has helped me see how hard life as a soldier is.

Lissette D.
I would summarize my OSNV experience so far by telling you that it has been fun. The most fun thing so far has got to be staying in the hotel. I had lots of fun! Some of the challenges facing the Civil War soldiers are that if it rained their gunpowder would get wet and they wouldn't be able to use it. Also if their horse got shot they would be out of luck. The experience of camping each night helped me assume my role as a Civil War soldier by putting myself into that person's shoes.

Alexis
I would say that through these six days of being on the road, I have had the best adventure ever and I can't wait for what the week will bring later on. I would hope to have an awesome time! My experience has made me think about the life of Civil War soldiers because if it rained their gun powder would get wet and messed up. I also learned that the soldiers sometimes did not have matching uniforms even on the same side. I've also learned that soldiers really had it tough and they were very brave and very aware of what they were doing for their country. I want to be like them.

Katie
So far everything in my OSNV experience has been really fun. I really liked going to the water park and going down the slides. I also LOVED the boat and the night we slept at the University of Kentucky. Some challenges facing Civil War soldiers were poverty and mismatched uniforms. It was also very hot and sometimes water wasn't easy to find. This experience has helped me understand why the soldiers felt and how hard it is to sleep on the ground.

Cheyene M.
This experience has been very fun and interesting learning about Civil War history. One of the challenges facing the Civil War soldiers was that sometimes they didn't have the right supplies. Camping each night has helped mt to see what it was like to be a soldier.

Skyler
My OSNV trip has been fun so far. I have made a lot of friend and had new experiences. This is a once in a lifetime chance. Some Civil War soldiers were facing food shortages, communication problems, and non-matching uniforms. Wearing wool was difficult in the summer and if your horse was shot you fell on the ground. When it rained your gunpowder got wet and was useless. This experience helps me to understand how hard it was to be a soldier.

Mandi B.
OSNV has been ve3ry fun. We went to the water park and camped outside. We also went to the St. Louis Arch and sang a lot. Some of the problems facing Civil War soldiers were communication problems, problems with their gunpowder and they had to walk a lot. I now understand how hard it was to be a soldier and how much we have to work together.

Jensen M.
OSNV has been so much fun. We are making new friends, learning a lot, and having an awesome time. The camping is tons of fun and the bus rides are awesome. There were many challenges faced by Civil War soldiers: not enough food, running out of water, rain, heat, communication problems, and different uniforms (they didn't know who was on which side). This experience has taught me that camping is fun on the first night but after a while it is a pain. It helps me appreciate what I have. The soldiers had it tough. I would hate to camp out every night.

Jessee U.
I would summarize my OSNV experience so far as exciting and fun, and I am glad that I came. Civil War soldiers challenges were mismatched uniforms, wet gunpowder This experience has heped me understand how the soldiers slept and what they would do during the day.

Claudia M.
My experience at OSNV is amazing because traveling across 2/3 of the country is awesome! Some of the challenges that Civil War soldiers faced were that they couldn't get their gunpowder wet and their uniforms were very hot. This experience has made me feel like a soldier becuase I'm camping at the same places the soldiers camped.

Sissi
My experiences so far have been very fun. I have made tons of new friends! We've been to tons of new places that I haven't been before. It's a great opportunity and very fun. One challenge Civil War soldiers faced was having no toilet paper or showers so they would be unsanitary [Editor's note: But would they have missed it? Modern toilet paper was only invented in the late 1850s.]. Also weather would be a problem because the weather is unexpected. The experience of camping each night has helped me understand what Civil War soldiers went through.

Jade
This trip has been fun, exciting and long. During the Civil War, soldiers faced communication problems and the problem of not having the same uniforms. This trip has taught me how soldiers lived every day.

Taylor R.
I would summarize my OSNV trip like this: I have had fun on our trip and I have made lots of friends. The bus rides are long but I can have fun with friend when we are driving. I really like camping but all the bugs keep me up. I like the food that we are eating. All of the information we are learning is cool and fun to listen to. I'm a little homesick but I am really glad that I cam on this once in a lifetime trip. Some challenges that Civil War soldiers faced were the lack of communication and supplies, different uniforms and similar flags that made battle confusing. Camping each night has helped me understand the life of CW soldiers by making me think about how the soldiers felt only having a blanket and clothes -- no tents.

Eledina
I would summarize my OSNV trip by talking about all the fun things that I did. A challenge faced by Civil War soldiers was that it took a long time to load their gun. Because of this trip I have learned to act different and put myself in a soldier's shoes.

Pilar D.
My experience so far at OSNV is an experience that I"ll never get a chance to do again. It is so fun and cool. Challenges face by Civil War soldiers include non-matching uniforms and and communication problems. My experiences of camping each night help me assume my role as a Civil War soldier because I can be in their shoes. My play also helped because I stepped into the role of a slave.

Devyn
My experience at OSNV has been very interesting and I want to keep learning. SOme soldiers didn't have uniforms, food, weapons and horses, which was a big challenge for them. This trip has helped me understand the soldiers struggles in the Civil War. They had to sleep in tents and carry the tents and all the stuff they brought with them.

Jerveil
My experience so far has been great and exciting. Also it has been informative. One of the challenges that the soldiers had to face was not running out of suplies and not getting insured. This experience has helped me understand the life of a Civil War soldier because I know more about their lives and I can teach someone else now.

Issac
On day1 we were at Glorieta Pass, on day 2 we went to Honey Springs, on day 3 we went to wilson's creek/St. Louis Arch, day 4 we went to the Spirit of Jefferson ship. Soldiers faced the challenge of lack of food and water, injuries, diseases and wet supplies. Sleeping outside has helped me to understand the life of a Civil War soldier.

Nathaniel
My experience has been amazing so far and I think it will get better as we go along on this fun trip. The soldiers faced gangrene, being shot and never seeing their families again. Camping has made me understand the life of a soldier because I know the soldiers didn't get to sleep in beds and they had to make their own fun.

Tommy T.
My experiences so far at OSNV have been great because I love to learn about history. Some of the challenges soldiers faced were eating bad food and drinking bad water. They also had to wear wool uniforms every day. This experience has helped me to understand everyday life for soldiers.

Bennett T.
Glorietta Pass was really fun. Honey Springs was also fun but it was a little humid. St. Louis was cool and the arch was breathtaking. Louisville was really neat. Soldiers faced challenges including disease, hunger, water shortages and the enemy. Camping has helped me to know that the soldiers slept under the stars.

Austyn J.
My experiences so far have been awesome and fun! A challenge that soldiers faced was that sometimes they got mixed up because of mis-matched uniforms. This trip helps me learn how soldiers lived.

Anthony G.
On this trip so far I have seen many places and battlefields. Soldiers faced the challenges of camping and a lack of medicine and food. This trip has taught me what being a soldier was like because I'm doing what people in the old days did.

Coleton B.
I liked going to the arch and camping in the tents on the battlefields best on this OSNV trip. One challenge that Civil War soldiers faced was that they had to walk all day for weeks. This trip has helped me understand their lives becasue we are not sleeping in beds most of the time.

Lanny M.
I have had a lot of fun at this camp. Challenges that Civil War soldiers faced were illness and battle wounds. I have learned that soldiers had to work very hard.

Jared E.
I love the camp because I see a lot of my friends that live far away. Civil War soldiers faced diseases and loss of supplies. They were also hungry a lot. This trip has taught me that soldiers had it hard when they were putting up tents.

Fernando
This OSNV trip is awesome! I am really enjoying it. One challenge that Civil War soldiers faced was having to get all of their supplies ready. After being on this trip I now know a lot about being a soldier.

Tristan H.
OSNV is fun and we've seen a lot of stuff! The life of a soldier was challenging because they had to camp in the wilderness and make their own food. Putting up my own tent in the dark has taught me what it might be like to be a Civil War soldier.

New Photos!

New photos have been posted to Flickr! Check 'em out!!

Blog Post: June 28

On June 28th, we took a small tour of the city of St. Louis, learned about the Dred Scott case and took a ride on the riverboat, Spirit of Jefferson. Here are everyone's thoughts on the day:

Madi B.
St. Louis is known as the gateway to the west because of the Arch and the west part of the USA is beyond the Arch. I learned that Dred Scott was famous for taking a stand against his masters and the system. I would like to know more about his life as a slave. My experience at the Spirit of Jefferson was fun, we did lots of singing!

Jade
The St. Louis Arch was more like a gate than a tour sight today -- it's facing west of the Mississippi River, making it a gateway. I learned the Dred Scott was an African American. I would like to know why they did not free him. The Spirit of Jefferson boat tour was amazing, fun, exciting and relaxing.

Sissi
I think that St. Louis was the gateway to the west because of the Missouri and Mississippi River. I learned the Dred Scott basically got his freedom. I would like to know what he did after the case. My experience on the Spirit of Jefferson was PHENOMINAL!! It was so much fun. I felt free on that boat and I got to hang out with all my firends.

Skyler
St. Louis is known as the gateway to the west because it has the huge Arch, which is a gateway. I learned that Dred Scott had a wife and kids and that they were all slaves. I would like to know what happened to his children. My experience aboard the Spirit of Jefferson was such a fun time. I got to learn about when the boat was made.

Brytnee L.
I think that St. Louis is the gateway to the west because there is a giant arch and Missouri is a state in the west. I learned that the African-American named Dred Scott sued his owner for freedom and his case ended up in the Supreme Court. His case lasted ten years. My experience on the Spirit of Jefferson was thrilling. I love the feeling of being free on the Ohio River!

Jessee U.
I think that St. Louis was known as the gateway to the west because of the big archway! I learned that Dred Scott was a freed African-American. I also would like to know what he did after his freedom. I thought that the Spirit of Jefferson boat was very fun and our tour guide taught us a lot and I had so much fun for my first time on a boat in the water.

Taylor R.
I think that St. Louis is known as the gateway to the west because people from the east could come across the Mississippi River and the Arch looked like a large gate. What I learned about the Dred Scott case was that it took 10 years and that he was set free for three months. I would like to learn some of the things that were said by Dred Scott. My favorite experiences on the Spirit of Jefferson were the wind blowing against my face and the refreshing air.

Erika
St. Louis was a major stop for people going to the west. When they built the Arch it was like a gateway, which is why St. Louis is called the gateway to the west. I learned many amazing things about the Dred Scott case, including that it made its way to the Supreme Court in Washington, D.C. I would like to know what his wife thought about the case. My experience on the Spirit of Jefferson was awesome!!! It was my first time on a boat. I didn't get seasick at all. I was disappointing because I had to get off but I bough some things for my brother and for me. It was fun.

Angelina
St. Louis is called the gateway to the west because it was a place to depart for all points west. I learned that Dred Scott and his wife were slaves for a woman in Missouri. I thought the ride on the Spirit of Jefferson was really cool and fun.

Eledina
St. Louis is called the gateway to the west because it is an ideal place to depart for all points west. I learned that the Dred Scott case went all the way to the Supreme Court. The Spirit of Jefferson ship was so fun and I would love to go on it again and it was my first time on a ship.

Jensen M.
I think St. Louis is known as the gateway to the west because it was part of the Louisiana Purchase and westward expansion. The Dred Scott case was sad because he deserved to be free. He was in the fight to sue. I would like to know more about his family. The Spirit of Jefferson was amazing. I learned a lot about the Ohio River and the boat. The boat had three decks and the top was really cool!

Maria S.
The St. Louis Arch was known as the gateway to the west because it was an ideal place to depart for all points west. I learned that the Dred Scott case was started because there was a slave named Dred Scott and he wanted to get his freedom back. The Spirit of Jefferson was very cool. Except for the fact that the river water appeared to be dirty -- the scenery was beautiful.

Heaven T.
St. Louis is called the gateway to the west because the Arch was like a gate. From the Dred Scott case I learned that if you were a slave and you wanted your freedom you might have to sue for it. I would like to know if Dred Scott ever got his freedom.

Lissette D.
I think that St. Louis was the gateway to the est because of its location on the Missouri River, which made it an ideal place to depart for all points west. From the Dred Scott case I learned that he argued that his long stay in free territory was grounds for being set free. I want to know when he died. My experience aboard the Spirit of Jefferson boat was cool! It was also very refresing. I loved the ride on the boat, it was amazing.

Alexis
St. Louis is called the gateway to the west because when the Louisiana Purchase was added to the USA, the west was a place for travelers to go as many trails appeared. I want to know what happened after Dred Scott finished his court case. I learned that he was a slave and sued for his freedom and the case went all the way to the Supreme Court. The Spirit of Jefferson was cool but it gave me a headache. I saw cool homes from the water.

Cheyene M.
St. Louis is called the gateway to the west because it was part of the Louisiana Purchase. I learned that Dred Scott fought hard for freedom but never got it. I would like to know why he didn't get his freedom. The Spirit of Jefferson was very neat. It was very interesting learning about the history of the boat.

Claudia M.
I think that St. Louis is called the gateway to the west because the St. Louis Arch symbolizes the gateway to the west. I learned that Dred Scott sued for his freedom but lost so it went to the Supreme Court and he was eventually set free. Going on the Spirit of Jefferson was pretty boring I really didn't listen to the person that was talking I just walked around.

Katie
I think St. Louis was named gateway to the west because of the Arch acting as the "gate." I learned that Dred Scott tried to sue his master and lost. I would like to know whether or not the judge was from the south. On the Spirit of Jefferson I felt like I was in a HUGE canoe!

Pilar D.
St. Louis is called the gateway to the west because of the boats on the river. The Dred Scott case taught me that slaves could not sue their owners. My experience on the Spirit of Jefferson was exciting because I had never been on a boat before so I was excited.

Lorie S.
I think St. Louis was referred to as the gateway to the west because it was an easy way for explorers, fur traders and pioneers to cross into western territories. Dred Scott was a slave whose owner died and wanted freedom. Dred Scott then sued for his freedom and his case made it all the way to the Supreme Court in 1857. This was one of the many things that led to the Civil War. The one thing I want to know is who did Dred Scott sue? The Spirit of Jefferson was a very neat boat. Going along the Ohio River, surrounded by beautiful scenery and a cool breeze blowing through your hair on a bright sunny day. Simply amazing!

Will M.
St. Louis is called the gateway to the west because people used this river to travel west. I learned that Dred Scott was a slave who sued for his freedom.

Chris B.
St. Louis is called the gateway to the west because after the the Louisiana Purchase many travelers had to come through the city to go west. I learned that the Dred Scott case went all the way to the Supreme Court. I want to know how much the owners of Dred Scott were sued for. I thought that the Spirit of Jefferson was an amazing experience! I loved the smooth sailing on the magnificent water.

Bennett A.
St. Louis is called the gateway to the west because it is on the Mississippi River and the westward expansion by Lewis and Clark began here. I learned that the Supreme Court decision in the Dred Scott case was biased saying that all blacks were not United States citizens.

Tristan A.
St. Louis is called the gateway to the west because the Arch is shaped like a gate and people were moving west. I would like to learn more about Dred Scott's life.

Owen C.
St. Louis is called the gateway to the west because the arch i's a monument to westward expansion. The Dred Scott case was interesting.

Coleton B.
St. Louis is called the gateway to the west because when everyone went through there, they formed the western United States. I learned that Dred Scott used to be a slave.

Anthony G.
St. Louis is called the gateway to the west because people went through Missouri to the west. I learned that Dred Scott was a slave who sued for his freedom.

Lanny M.
St. Louis is called the gateway to the west because everybody going to the west went through St. Louis. I learned that when Dred Scott sued for his freedom, the US had a lot of unconstitutional laws.

Nathaniel
St. Louis is called the gateway to the west because everything in the west is west of the Mississippi. Today I learned that the Dred Scott case made it all the way to the Supreme Court.

Joe K.
St. Louis is called the gateway to the west because of the Arch. I learned that Dred Scott was a slave and that his owner died and he went to Missouri because he wanted his freedom but when the case went to the Supreme Court it was denied.

Blog Post: June 27

We're playing a bit of catch up on the blogs and photographs -- look below and you'll see that our most recent photos have been uploaded to Flickr this morning.

On June 27th, we visited the Wilson's Creek National Battlefield and learned all about the first major Civil War battle west of the Mississippi River. As you'll read below, the students learned that communication is key both in battle and in everyday life. From there, we traveled to St. Louis and went up into the famous Jefferson National Expansion Memorial (or as it's more commonly known, the St. Louis Arch.) After a trip up and down the arch, students toured the museum and ate dinner before returning to our hotel for the evening. Below are their impressions of the day's activities:

Lorie S.
Missouri’s location as a border state was confusing because the land would constantly be changing sides so you never knew if they were Union or Confederate. At Wilson’s Creek I learned that it is very important to have good communication because if you don’t have good communication things won’t go as you hoped they would. The St. Louis Arch was so cool! We got to be 630 feet in up in thei air and see the orange sunset go down behind the beautiful city. All that topped off with the rain and lightning.

Taylor B.
Missouri’s status as a border state led to confusing battles because the state wanted to stay neutral in the conflict. From the battle at Wilson’s Creek, I learned that you should always communicate. At the arch, I was okay with going up but coming down was a different story! I thought it would be a free drop until Ezra told me it went slowly. I will never forget this experience.

Heaven T.
Missouri’s status as a border state led to confusing battles early on because many of Missouri’s citizens wanted to stay neutral in the conflict. From the battle at Wilson’s Creek I learned that Union General Nathanial Lyon was the first major general to die in the Civil War. This battle also taught me that if you do not pay attention things can go very wrong. At the St. Louis Arch I felt scared at first but when I got up there it felt magical!

Lisesette D.
Missouri’s location as a border state led to early and confusing battles at the beginning of the war because they wanted to stay neutral in the conflict. The lessons I learned from my experiences at the Wilson’s Creek Battle Site are to always communicate and plan ahead to fight well. This battle also tells me that the importance of communication and consistency in my own life is important. For example, in school communication is important because if you had an assignment you would have to communicate to your teacher and fellow students. My feelings and experiences at the St. Louis Arch was great although I was pretty scared! But I still had fun.

Angelina
Missouri’s location as a border state led to early and confusing battles at the beginning of the war because they wanted to stay neutral during the conflict. From the battle at Wilson’s Creek I learned that you should always plan ahead and figure out a way to communicate with each other. I also learned that the Union Army lost this battle due to poor communication, lack of matching uniforms and common flags. The St. Louis Arch is so pretty. Have you ever thought about how hard it would be to build the arch?

Sissi
Missouri’s location as a border state led to early and confusing battles at the beginning of the war because they wanted to stay neutral in the conflict. A lesson I learned from the Battle of Wilson’s Creek was to always plan ahead and communicate well. The significance of communication helps in our lives today through school projects and when you are planning things with friends. I was very happy yet scared at the St. Louis Arch. It was so high up and it felt like we were falling forward. But it was cool because it was so big!

Jensen M.
Missouri’s location as a border state led to early and confusing battles at the beginning of the war because no one knew if the state was for the Rebels or for the Yankees since it was a border state. From the battle at Wilson’s Creek I learned that you have to communicate and if you don’t communicate it was it very confusing. If you don’t communicate you will never know your next move. In order to be prepared you must always be communicating. At the St. Louis Arch I was in complete awe. It was very neat and cool. At the top you could see everything. The ride up was awesome, you were in a little pod that went really slowly. When we left the lights on the arch made it look like it was falling! (But it really wasn’t!)

Cheyene M.
Missouri’s location as a border state led to early and confusing battles at the beginning of the war because nobody knew who was for the South and the North. At Wilson’s Creek I learned that it is very important to be sure of your actions. I also learned that the Union Army lost the battle due to poor communications, lack of matching uniforms and no common flags. The St. Louis Arch was very amazing. It was enormous! It was one of the neatest things I’ve ever seen.

Jade T.
Missouri’s location as a border state led to early and confusing battles at the beginning of the war because they were on the boarder and some were for the North and some were for the South. I learned that at the Battle at Wilson’s Creek even though the soldiers were on different sides, they all went to the same hospital at the Ray family home. I also learned that if you are on a team it’s always good to have the same uniforms and the same plan. The St. Louis Arch was so amazing! I had a great time. It was so thrilling to be up that high.

Claudia M.
Missouri’s location caused confusion at the battle sights because the soldiers were wearing different outfits. From the battle at Wilson’s Creek, I learned that team work and communication is very important when doing a big job. I also learned that you have to depend upon your friends and work together and know who is on your side. At the St. Louis Arch it was pretty boring but it was a pretty cool experience. Going up was boring and looking down wasn’t scary at all.

Bryttnee L.
Missouri’s location as a border state led to early and confusing battles at the beginning of the war because the state was by water and it was easy to bring in supplies. At Wilson’s Creek, I learned that communication is the key to a lot of accomplishments. Teamwork is also a shining star in a war. At the St. Louis Arch it started to rain and I don’t like being up high in storms so I was a bit afraid. But in the end I was glad I went!!

Taylor R.
Missouri’s location as a border state led to early and confusing battles at the beginning of the war because Missouri hadn’t decided if it was Union or Confederate. At the Wilson’s Creek battle site I learned that when the army came in your house they took all of your food supplies and animals. I learned about the importance of communication at this battle site and it relates to my life because if you communicate poorly with friends and family you can drift apart. The St. Louis Arch was very cool! At the top it was fun but it got a little scary. I really liked going to the museum. It was really cool.

Madi B.
Missouri’s location as a border state led to early and confusing battles at the beginning of the war because it was right in the middle of the country. At the Wilson’s Creek battle sight I learned that looks can be deceiving. The St. Louis Arch was very fun. I had a blast but I wanted my sister Chloe to be with me because when we drove by it a couple of years before, we couldn’t go in it and she really wanted to.

Katie
Missouri’s location as a border state led to early and confusing battles at the beginning of the war because it hadn’t yet picked a side. At the battle of Wilson’s Creek I learned that if communication is very bad things can go wrong, which is true in my life today. At the St. Louis Arch I felt kind of scared going up and knowing we were going to be really high up.

Jesse
Missouri’s location as a border state led to early and confusing battles at the beginning of the war because it was so easy to bring in supplies on the river. From the battle of Wilson’s Creek I learned that the Ray family were just down the hill from a war. My feelings at the St. Louis Arch were nervous, scared but excited because the tower would sway 8 inches each way and were in a storm. It also was exciting because it was my first time there.

Devyn P.
Missouri’s location as a border state led to early and confusing battles at the beginning of the war because the state wanted to stay neutral in the conflict. At the battle of Wilson’s Creek I learned that the Union should have communicated more before the fight so they would not have had such a bad fight. At the St. Louis Arch I was really happy and excited because that was the first time I had ever been there so it was a good feeling.

Erika
Missouri’s location as a border state led to early and confusing battles at the beginning of the war because the state hadn’t decided if they were Union or Confederate yet so it was all very confusing. At the Wilson’s Creek battle site, I learned that people used to have to tie ropes for their bed and that the Rays layed General Lyon on their bed after he died as a symbol of respect and honor. This battle taught me that communication is very important because if I, for example, wanted to go to a friend’s house but wasn’t able to communicate with my mom and I went then my mom would be very upset and it would be crazy. Consistency is important too, basically for the same reason. My experience at the St. Louis Arch was amazing. The view was so cool! And the Mississippi River was really wide compared to the river in Alamosa. That was a great experience!

Eledina
Missouri’s location as a border state led to early and confusing battles at the beginning of the war because the uniforms looked the same. From the battle at Wilson’s Creek, I learned that Mr. Ray watched the fight on his front porch. This battle helped me learn that communication is very important and that people get things they need better when they listen to each other. The St. Louis Arch was great!

Skyler
I thought Missouri was confused because they hadn’t found out of they were Union or Confederate. At the Battle of Wilson’s Creek I learned that a lot of people died and one of them was General Lyon, the first general to die in the Civil War. I learned from this battle that communication is important and relates to my life because communication helps me to stay on good terms with my friends. My feelings about the experience at the St. Louis Arch is that it was scary and I was nervous being up so high in the sky and happy to be able to have that experience.

Pilar D.
At the beginning of the war Missouri’s location as a border state led to early and confusing battles because they wanted to stay neutral. From my experiences at Wilson’s Creek I learned that it is important to communicate and know your own team. The Union lost the battle of Wilson’s Creek because of poor communication and this tells me that it’s very important to be planning ahead and to have a lot of communication.

Alexis G.
Missouri’s location as a border state led to early and confusing battles at the beginning of the war because the state was a good place to take hold of for recruits or supplies. It was such an important place that both sides desperately needed it and more battles took place there than any other state. At the Wilson’s Creek battle site, I learned that General Lyon was the first general to die in the Civil war and was put on the Ray family bed before he was picked up by his troops. From this battle I learned that you always have to have communication with your allies to have good leadership and trust. If both are good then your plan is good. At the St. Louis Arch I was terrified at the top. I am scared of heights and I was glad when the group came down.

Maria S.
Missouri’s location as a border state led to early and confusing battles at the beginning of the war because they wanted to stay out of a national conflict. At Wilson Creek I learned that you really need to plan out your idea and always have a backup plan in case something goes wrong or unexpected. This relates to my life because If you don’t communicate you can never get anywhere. You have to explain to others about what you want to do or what you feel like. The St. Louis Arch was so cool! I felt like I was flying. I was in a small pod with Mr. Steve and 4 other people. We fit though.

Bennett T.
Missouri’s location as a border state led to early and confusing battles at the beginning of the war because some people wanted to side with the Union and other with the Confederacy. At Wilson’s Creek I learned that communication is imperative in situations of high importance. I also learned that staying informed is very important for making good decisions. At the St. Louis Arch I felt awe, amazement and a little bit of nervousness and fear.

Austyn J.
Missouri’s location as a border state led to early and confusing battles at the beginning of the war because Missouri was with the Union but people in Missouri fought against the Union. At Wilson’s Creek I learned that if people are shooting then shoot back and to use better communication. When I was at the St. Louis Arch I thought that it was big and I felt sick.

Dalton B.
Missouri’s location as a border state led to early and confusing battles at the beginning of the war because each regiment wore different colored uniforms. At Wilson’s Creek I learned to always have good communication. At the St. Louis Arch I felt nervous!

Fernando
Missouri’s location as a border state led to early and confusing battles at the beginning of the war because Missouri entered the Union as a slave state in 1820. At Wilson’s Creek I learned that you should always keep your kids down in the basement when there’s a war in your front yard. I also learned that you always have to do the things your boss/commander tells you, for example, your uniforms, command flags and communication all need to be consistent.

Chris B.
Missouri’s location as a border state led to early and confusing battles at the beginning of the war because Missourians needed supplies. And St. Louis is the gateway to the west. Plus it has rich farmland and other natural resources. At Wilson’s Creek I learned that you must have good communication because sometimes good communication can mean life or death. This relates to my life because in France, the only way I could call my mother was with a calling card. If we didn’t coordinate our calls and I didn’t call her she would have been worried about me. At the St. Louis Arch I was so excited to be at the top! I was in awe at the top because it was so amazing and it had a great view.

Will M.
Missouri’s location as a border state led to early and confusing battles at the beginning of the war because at the beginning of the war they could have been either Union or Confederate. From the battle of Wilson’s Creek I learned that you should not separate your army. I thought the St. Louis Arch was amazing!

Tristan A.
At the battle of Wilson’s Creek I learned that a lot of people died. At the St. Louis Arch I thought about how cool the arch was and how awesome the people who built it were.

Nathaniel
Missouri’s location as a border state led to early and confusing battles at the beginning of the war because it was right in the middle of the south and the north so people said yes to secession and some people said no. At Wilson’s Creek the main problems were that the soldiers did not have the same uniforms, there were no common flags and there was too much smoke to see the battle. At the St. Louis Arch I felt like I went back in time.

Kevin V.
At the battle of Wilson’s Creek I learned that you need to be able to communicate well or the result could be disastrous. At the top of the St. Louis Arch I was extremely scared but it was still fun.

Tristan H.
Missouri’s location as a border state led to early and confusing battles at the beginning of the war because they didn’t know if the other states would stay with the Union or join the Confederacy. At the Battle of Wilson’s Creek I learned that if you don’t communicate with everybody then you risk dying on the battlefield. I thought the St. Louis Arch was cool and very high up! We rode the elevator all the way up to the top.

Luis M.
At the Battle of Wilson’s Creek I learned that there was confusion on the battlefield because of smoke and because the uniforms of the Union and Confederate soldiers looked the same early in the war. I also learned from this battle that you have to know where your soldiers are and how they’re feeling or you won’t know what is going on in the battle. Communication is important in my life because if someone is waiting to pick me up from school but they didn’t know where I was we would both be lost. I liked the St. Louis Arch but at the same time I didn’t like it. It was nice because it was cool but it wasn’t like I expected it to be.

Jared E.
Missouri’s location as a border state led to early and confusing battles at the beginning of the war because they couldn’t decide whether to go to the Union or to the Confederacy. At Wilson’s Creek I learned that the Union lost because the commander though that the Confederate soldiers were really the Union soldiers but was mistaken. I thought the St. Louis Arch was very cool because it was built very long ago.

Tommy
Missouri’s location as a border state led to early and confusing battles at the beginning of the war because it was in the Midwest. The lesson I learned at Wilson’s Creek was that it is best if each side wears different uniforms and can tell each other apart, and that communication is very important – without communication you can have bad consequences. At the St. Louis Arch I felt scared because it was swaying!

Anthony G.
Missouri’s location as a border state led to early and confusing battles at the beginning of the war because some people wanted slavery and some people wanted abolition. At Wilson’s Creek I learned that communication is key to finding ways to give and get information and is very important whatever the situation. I thought the St. Louis Arch was a very interesting and fun experience.

Lanny M.
Missouri’s location as a border state led to early and confusing battles at the beginning of the war because some people were slave owners and some people were not. At Wilson’s Creek I learned that communication is the key to finding ways to give and receive information, and that it is very important no matter what the situation. This relates to my life because I got to school and if you do not communicate you will not learn or make friends. I liked when we saw the sun set at the top of the St. Louis Arch.

Joe K.
Missouri’s location as a border state led to early and confusing battles at the beginning of the war because Missouri wanted to stay neutral. At the battle of Wilson’s Creek I learned that communication is key because without it, people don’t know what you are saying. I thought the St. Louis Arch was beautiful because of how big it was.

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Blog Post: June 26

Lissette
I learned that at the Battle of Honey Springs there were Indians fighting on both sides. The difference between the Battle of Honey Springs and most other Civil War battles is that Honey Springs had a lot of different soldiers involved and the others didn’t. I would like to tell my family about the living history re-enactors that we met at Honey Springs.

Erika
I learned many interesting things about the Battle of Honey Springs. One thing that Native Americans fought on both sides. This never happened in any other battle before. The Battle of Honey Springs is different than other Civil War battles because Native Americans were on both sides. My experiences so far have been great. We’ve been to many cool places. There were some rough spots, especially pitching tents but we FINALLY get a hotel [in St. Louis]. I can’t wait for D.C. It feels like it should be our ninth day [when we are in D.C.] But it will be fun.

Alexis
At Honey Springs, I learned that thousands of Indians fought on both sides against their own tribes. This is different from other Civil War battles because the Indians hadn’t fought with the armies before. I would like to tell my family and friends back home about how many different battle tactics could work with the land around Honey Springs. Because of our survival game [“How would YOU survive the Civil War”] I learned how hard it was during the years of being a soldier.

Taylor R
Some of the interesting things I learned about the Battle of Honey Springs are the different bullets that they used. The thing that was different about the Battle of Honey Springs was that American Indians fought on both sides. I would like to tell my family about all of the different hikes that we went on. The Civil War game affects the way I view soldiers because it helps me imagine what was going on.

Cheyene M.
I learned that at the Battle of Honey Springs, Indians fought on both sides of the battle. This battle was different from others in the Civil War because it was the most diverse battle. I would like to tell my family and friends that it is really interesting learning about all of the history. The game helps me understand what the soldiers needed to survive and why they needed it.

Claudia M.
What I learned at Honey Springs that seemed interesting was that Indians were fighting on both sides. The Battle of Honey Springs was different from most other battles because they had Indians fighting on both sides. I would like to tell my family and friends back home that going to all of these battle sights is amazing because even just standing there is being a part of history! The Civil War survival game makes me feel like I’m an actual soldier because I’m doing what they were doing and I’m seeing what they saw.

Jade T.
At the Honey Springs, I learned that there were about 3,600 African Americans fighting. The other thing I learned was that Native Americans fought on both sides. What was different about the Battle of Honey Springs was that when the Confederates were supposed to retreat the middle charged forward and was shot. I would like to tell my family and friends that I’m learning a lot and having fun and that I can’t wait to come home and tell them everything. The Civil War survival game helps me to understand the Civil War because we know what they need to survive and we understand why.

Mandi B.
I learned that at the Battle of Honey Springs, many different people fought: Indians, African Americans and whites. This was what made the Battle of Honey Springs different from other battles. I would like to tell my friends and family that we have been on the road a lot, learned some interesting things on the way and that I am making lots of friends! The Civil War survival game makes me really think of how it was like to not be prepared and how best to handle that situation.

Heaven T.
At Honey Springs, I learned that this battle was different than other battles because American Indians fought on both sides, each hoping that victory would mean better life for their native people.I would like to tell my friends and family that I have learned a lot so far about the battles and that I’m having lots of fun camping and learning about history. Our Civil War game helps me to understand more about how it was very important for soldiers to have everything they need.

Klara C.
Honey Springs was a horrible time for the Confederates. Just because of one rainstorm the Confederates had wet gun powder which didn’t give much accuracy with their firearms and once they were in trouble, reinforcements were too late to defend their army. The difference between Honey Springs was that it was one of the most intercultural battles fought. There were African Americans, whites, Hispanics and many more different cultures from around the world

I really think that this trip is an opportunity of a lifetime. When we got to a fort that was used as a battlefield I can’t believe that I am walking on a land of history. I’ve heard of the Civil War since second grade and now I am walking on the battlefields where they actually took place.

The survival game shows me what the soldier went through and also they never wanted too much weight so you have a limited amount of space to store your equipment. This is amazing. I miss you, Mama. Daddy and Scampi.

Katie
Some of the interesting things I learned about Honey Springs was that the Confederates should have won because they had more men but the Union had the latest technology. The Battle of Honey Springs was different from other Civil War battles because there were Indians in this battle. I would like to tell my friends and family that this had been really fun so far and I can’t wait to take a shower! Our Civil War survival game makes me know, feel and see how poor the soldiers were.

Angelina
I learned that at the Battle of Honey Springs, American Indians and Oklahomans fought on both sides of the conflict. This battle was different from others in the Civil War because it was the first battle to have African Americans fight. I would like my friends and family back home to know that I have had a really fun trip so far. I think it’s really cool learning about all the battles. Our Civil War survival game helps me to understand what life was like for the soldiers.

Bryttnee L.
Some interesting things I learned at Honey Springs was that the army soldiers would hear a gun fire and they would sometimes run and hide. Honey Springs was different from most other Civil War Battles because of the way the soldiers set up the plan to victory. I would like to tell my friends and family back home about the long bus rides and the adventures outdoors. Our Civil War survival game has helped me view the sights and battles by helping me understand what the soldiers carried and went through.

Pilar D.
The interesting things that I learned from Honey Springs was that all the soldiers had a very hard time during the Civil War. The difference between Honey Springs and many other Civil War battles is that Honey Springs had Indians fighting on both sides. I would like to tell my friends and family that these experiences are so cool and that I’m learning a lot of new things. The Civil War survival game affects me because it makes me feel the way that soldiers did.

Devyn
One really interesting thing that I learned today was that Indians fought against other Indians at the Battle of Honey Springs. The difference between this battle and other Civil War battles is that the first African American soldiers fought in this battle. I would like to tell my friends and family that this experience is really fun and I can’t wait to learn more. The Civil War survival game has helped me learn about how hard life was for the soldiers.

Sissi
One interesting thing that I learned about the Honey Springs battle was that the soldiers travelled cross county on foot and didn’t have horses to carry them. Honey Springs was different from other battles because of the involvement of American Indians who fought against each other, and that usually doesn’t happen. I would like to tell my friends and family that this trip is a good opportunity to learn new things and prepare us for the next years. The Civil War survival game affects the way I view the Civil War because it shows us what the soldiers went through and makes me think about if I could actually survive these conflicts and troubles.

Jessee
One of the most interesting things I learned today was that no Nebraska soldiers fought at the Battle of Honey Springs. The difference between Honey Springs and other Civil War battles was that Honey Springs had many different cultures of people fighting. I would like to tell my family and friends thank you for helping me with my homework to go on this trip. And I miss you and that I love you. And I would like to tell my family and friends that I can’t wait to see them on the Fourth of July. And that this experience is really awesome. I think the Civil War survival game helps us figure out what the troops felt like being away from their family and meeting new people.

Lorie S.
I thought the Battle of Honey Springs was interesting because it was one of the most multi-cultural battles fought throughout the way. The Battle of Honey Springs was different from other Civil War battles because it was a very multi-cultural battle. I had some amazing experiences so far! I have always wanted to travel basically everywhere so this is awesome! Get to go through ten states and see many historical sites. The bad thing is my camera has problems so I’m not getting many good photos.* The Civil War survival game helps me understand the soldiers’ living conditions and struggles better. It helps me imagine myself as a Civil War soldier during that time.

Maria S.
Yesterday we went to Honey Springs. We learned many interesting facts from Civil War re-enactors but the most interesting fact I learned was that American Indians fought on both sides of the battle. About 3,600 American Indians fought in the way, along with Kentucky’s Colored Volunteer regiment.

We took a hike around the battle field. It was a really green place with trees and grass. I think the Battle of Honey Springs was the most interesting battle of all that I have learned about on this trip.

Jensen M.
Today I learned that Honey Springs was the most diverse battle. It’s amazing how many ethnicities fought in the battle. The biggest difference between this battle and many others in the Civil War was diversity. You had Native Americans fighting and the 1^st Kansas Colored Volunteers fighting. I would like to tell my friends and family that this trip is very fun! Everyone is so nice and we are having a blast. The Civil War game helps me understand what different supplies you need at each battle.

Ellie
Today I learned that soldiers at Honey Springs didn’t carry anything that they didn’t need and that they didn’t have tents. What was different about this battle than most other Civil War battles was that the soldiers would go right up to each other and fight. I would like my friends and family to know that the Civil War was for freedom. The Civil War survival game has taught me about how soldiers got paid and that they can only carried what they needed.

Taylor B.
I thought it was interesting that there was a trail near Honey Springs that no one has used so there are trails from the Civil War. In the Battle of Honey Springs, I learned that Indians fought on both sides. I would like to tell my friends and family that it was a very interesting and historical site. Playing our Civil War survival game has made me realize that it was very hard for soldiers to survive.

Skyler S.
The interesting things I learned today was that American Indians fought on both sides of the Battle of Honey Springs. It also was interesting that the confederacy immediately marched in and forma alliances with the tribes. This battle was different because American Indians fought on both sides of the conflict. What I liked so far is getting to go on hikes, going on the bus with my friends and getting to know kids in Colorado and Texas. I also like learning all about the Civil War.

Jared E.
Today I learned that Honey Springs is really dense and had the most ethnic groups at the battle than any other battle. This battle was different because Indians from the same tribe fought each other on different sides of the conflict. I would like to tell my friends and family that it was very hard to sleep with all the noise and it was very hot!

Joe K.
Something interesting about Honey Springs is how the soldiers arrived at Honey Springs. This battle is different because the Union had more modern weapons. The experience that I would take home with me is that some soldiers never had rifles. The Civil War game changes my view because it makes me think like a soldier.

Tommy
Honey Springs was like a jungle to me because it was hot and buggy. I learned that the Battle of Honey Springs was different because the Confederates outnumbered the Union 2 to 1 and that Indians from the same tribe fought against each other. I would like to tell my friends and family that I would not want to fight in the Civil War.

Fernando
I learned that at Honey Springs, American Indians fought on both sides of the conflict. This battle was different from others during the Civil War because the Unions left the frontier in Indian Territory.

Coleton B.
The most interesting thing I learned was that Indians were on both sides of the war. This battle was different from others during the Civil War because there were African American soldiers fighting. If I could tell my friends back home something I would tell them about the tents and food. I’ve learned from our Civil War game that we have to use our supplies and surroundings.

Kevin V.
Today I learned that Indians battled on the both sides at Honey Springs. I would like my friends and family to know that I am having fun! Our Civil War game helps me to understand about the struggles of the soldiers.

Chris B.
I learned that the Battle of Honey Springs was the most ethnic battle in the Civil War and that Indians fought on both sides. I would like to tell my friends that it has been an amazing experience of a lifetime that I think everyone would love. The Civil War survival game makes me think more about how hard the lives of soldiers were.

Bennett T.
I learned today that the Battle of Honey Springs was ethnically diverse, that regiments from Texas participated and that lack of communication decided the battle. I want to tell my friends and family that I am having a lot of fun! There’s so much to learn and I miss you! Our Civil War survival game has taught me that decision today affect you for the rest of your life.

Nathaniel
Today I learned that at the Battle of Honey Springs there were Indians, African Americans and a lot of other people at the battle. I also learned that the Confederates made a lot of mistakes. I would like to tell everyone that I have learned some new things and have seen some amazing places!

Will M.
I leaned that at the Battle of Honey Springs the Union snuck up on the rebels when their powder was wet. I also learned that the Confederates were caught off guard when their gunpowder was wet and they were low on guns. I would like to tell my friends and family that I have enjoyed all the sights I’ve seen!

Anthony G.
I learned that at the Battle of Honey Springs, there were almost 3,600 American Indians and that Honey Springs was the only engagement with large numbers of American Indians that fought on both sides. Our Civil War game has taught me that life must have been very hard for the soldiers in the Civil War.

Tristan H.
I learned that at the Battle of Honey Springs the Union snuck up on the Confederates when they were short on guns and their gunpowder was rained on. I would like to tell my friends and family that we went to a water park and we saw cars planted in the ground that had spray paint all over them and we slept in a tent so far on this trip! I’ve learned from our game that you should just get the stuff you need to survive in the Civil War.

Lanny M.
The most interesting thing I learned about the Battle of Honey Springs was that the First Kansas Colored Regiment participated in this battle. I also learned that there were large numbers of American Indians who fought on both sides of the conflict. I would like to tell my friends and family that it was fun going down the green slide, it was steep and about 100 feet high so I got the butterflies! Our Civil War game changes my whole outlook of battle because if you don’t have the right stuff you will be defeated or die depending on the situation.

Dalton B.
The most interesting thing I learned at Honey Springs was were that the confederates had the Union soldiers outnumbered but they still lost because of lack of technology. This battle was different because it was the most ethnic battle of the Civil War. I would like to tell my friends and family that the trip is awesome and I'm learning a lot!

*If your camper also didn’t get many photos, check out our flickr page.