Lewis and Clark
The Rocky Mountains of Montana and Idaho: People, Place, and Perceptions
Experience history and challenge your historical lens as we hike, paddle, and contemplate our way along the Lewis and Clark Trail. This trail travels through paths and land stewarded by Native peoples long before these American explorers set foot in these pristine and majestic wilderness areas. Take-in and consider a landscape that Native peoples captured through oral histories and Lewis and Clark captured in their meticulous journals to develop your own sense of people, self, and place.
We'll explore how "people" and "place" shape decision and group dynamics through the historical experience of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark among the Indians during their famed expedition from St. Louis to the Pacific Coast — and back — from 1804 - 1806. Our parallel experiential and historical trip will focus on how Captains Lewis and Clark made strategic decisions amidst Native peoples and their traditions in the Rocky Mountains while developing conceptions of people and place that would inform American westward expansion in the years to come. While this meticulously documented historical expedition will guide us, we'll also rely on experiencing place through a Native American lens.
Phase One (5-6 Days)
Starting in the Rocky Mountains in Helena, Montana. We will see the Gates of the Rockies, travel along forest roads and camp across Lemhi Pass, then paddle the Salmon River, as Clark did as men from the Lemhi Shoshone nation led the Corps. We'll examine how "place" changes over time as we discover landscape continuity and changes since the vivid accounts in the journals.
Phase Two (3-4 Days)
This phase will focus on mountain survival and decisions under pressure. We’ll begin our journey at Traveller's Rest State Park to learn about the famed Lolo Trail, along with the Corps' Shoshone guides and horses, then backpack along the rugged Nimipuu Trail in the Bitterroot Mounts, following traditional Nez Perce trails along a 6,000 - 7,000 spine of the Bitterroots. We'll read the Corps' extensive journals while we journal on our own. We'll examine navigation skills, along with Native conceptions of maps, geography, and travel.
Phase Three (2 days)
This phase will involve people and place in history. We'll spend time with members of the Salish-Kootenai Confederation to learn about modern issues affecting their nation, focusing on the Hell Gate Treaty of 1855 and native rights to rivers, fisheries, and hunting grounds. Tribal representatives will lead us as we hike, swim, and experience the place that affected a people so significantly.
Phase Four Reflections (4 days)
We'll reflect on Leadership along with people and place in history. We'll paddle along the Missouri River from Loma, MT to Judith’s Landing as we camp and hike in the exact location of the Corps. Experts will accompany and lead us on various hikes in landscapes that will "place" ourselves in a natural landscape in which we can engage in critical lessons of culture, people, and place.
Sign-Up Instructions
Participation for all Lawrenceville Harkness Travel Programs is dependent upon a review of student applications, Head of House/Advisor recommendations, medical fitness for participation, and financial and disciplinary standing. Seniority and gender balance is also considered in the selection process.
Application to this program is not considered complete until both of the following items have been submitted:
Head of House/Day Advisor Recommendation must be completed and submitted to Louise Wright by Monday, November 1, 2021.
Application Survey must be completed by Monday, November 1, 2021.
Dates
July 17 - 30, 2022
Cost
$5,000*
*Includes all ground transportation, flights, meals, accommodations and excursions.
Families will receive a list of all MANDATORY vaccines. All travelers must be up-to-date on routine vaccines; if routine vaccines are administered on campus families will be charged.
Program Leaders
Andrew Inzer
History Teacher
John Hughes
Director of Experiential Education
Sujin Seo
English Teacher
Pre-Trip Work
Prior to departure, there will be mandatory meetings for all students accepted into this program.
