La Verne Stake Pioneer Handcart Trek 2019
Clothing
What Should you Wear?
CONTENTS:
1. General Instructions
2. Young Women
3. Young Men
4. What Else Should You Bring?
5. Instructions for Making Pioneer Clothing
1. General Instructions:
Both youth and adults are encouraged to wear pioneer-era clothing. Doing so helps participants immerse themselves in the trek experience.
You don’t need to spend a lot of time or money to obtain appropriate pioneer clothing. Many items can be found in existing wardrobes or at secondhand stores. Making simple skirts can be a great Young Women’s activity!
Appropriateness:
Clothing styles and fabrics need to be appropriate for the anticipated climate and weather conditions to help avoid overheating—or to stay warm.
Protect from Sun & Insects:
§ To help protect from sun and insects, participants are encouraged to wear long sleeves, wide-brimmed hats or bonnets, and sunglasses.
§ Clothing should be appropriate for the weather conditions that might occur. Trekkers should bring protective over-clothing if rain or cold weather is likely. If they get wet, they should put on dry clothes as soon as possible.
§ Support: Choose shoes with good arch support
§ No New Shoes: Don’t wear new shoes! They may cause blisters. Bring shoes that are already broken in.
§ In Water: Use water shoes, or old tennis shoes, for river crossings
§ NO flip-flops: Not even in the campgrounds.
To help reduce the likelihood of blisters, participants are encouraged to wear
(1) walking or hiking shoes that are broken in and
(2) two pairs of socks at a time. Ideally the inner sock is thin and synthetic, while the outer sock is wool or a wool blend. Socks that wick away moisture are the most helpful. Socks that are a wool-synthetic blend can also help reduce the potential for blisters.
2. Young Women:
§ Blouses should be lightweight and long-sleeved. The long sleeves will help to prevent sunburn and insect bites.
§ Skirts should reach mid-calf and be made of cool, light-weight materials like cotton.
§ During River Crossings, dresses should not be lifted up, or tied up around the waist (modesty at all times!)
§ Bloomers or Pantaloons provide modesty, and can help prevent chafing. Young women could also choose to wear shorts of scrubs underneath. Avoid wearing leggings in warm weather because they can lead to overheating.
§ A Bonnet of Wide-brimmed Hat will provide shade for the head and face. Make sure your hat has a stampeded strap in order to keep your hat on your head in the Wyoming wind.
§ Aprons are optional.
3. Young Men:
§ Shirts should be lightweight and long-sleeved. Light colors will be cooler than darker fabrics.
§ Pants – loose fitting pants in cotton fabrics are recommended.
§ During River Crossings, young men should not roll their pants up.
§ Suspenders are optional.
§ Wide-brimmed hat – a cowboy or western style hat, a felt pioneer-era hat, or even a modern trekking style hat are acceptable. Just make sure it has a stampede string to secure it in the Wyoming wind.
4. What Else Should You Bring?
§ Lightweight Work Gloves – They will help to prevent blisters when pushing or pulling the handcart.
§ Neck Coolers – You can make your own neck coolers with water-absorbing polymer crystals, available online. Or even a regular neckerchief or bandana dipped in water can provide immediate cooling power.
§ Rain Gear – Bring a poncho or a rain jacket with a hood. Something that can be rolled up tight and stuffed inside your possible bag – just in case.
§ DON’T BRING AN UMBRELLA!! It will be in Nebraska before you can even get it opened.
§ Coat or Jacket – in the high desert, a light wind resistant jacket is needed for cool nights, even in summer. Hoodies work well for cooler weather.
Links to Instructions for Making Pioneer Clothing:
Information about clothing and instructions for making the following articles of clothing items are found in the Handcart Trek Reenactment Booklet on pages 15 and 28-33.
§ Two-seamed Gathered Skirt
§ Simple Apron with Ribbon Ties
§ Pioneer Shirt
Please click on the link for Handcart Trek Reenactments: Guidelines for Leaders below:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BxyClVnZN6YoUU5idVZWbklzMk0/edit
Instructions for Making Pioneer Clothing
Links to simple pioneer patterns, instructions and tutorials, and minor adaptations of existing clothing into pioneer attire
For instructions for making a Simple Gathered Skirt, a Simple Apron with Ribbon Ties, and how to turn an old collared shirt into a Young Men's Pioneer Shirt please see pages 28-33 on the link below:
For a pattern and instructions on sewing a Pioneer Bonnet,
please click the link below:
For instructions on sewing a Pioneer Skirt from a thrift store sheet, please click the link below:
For instructions on sewing a Pioneer Apron from a pillowcase, please click the link below:
For instructions on turning an old shirt into a Young Men's band-collar Shirt, please click the link below:
For instructions on sewing a Possibles Bag (AKA satchel or haversack), please click the link below:
Link to instructions on how to make a Neck Cooler:
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ReplyDeleteJust want to make sure that athletic shoes are acceptable for the trek, right?
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