Gold Rush Overnight
The Gold Rush Overnight tour combines our ever-growing Gold Rush daytime tour with a period miner camp out in our 1800’s Packing Shed. Students learn how to work together in moving a wagon train of supplies up to their camp and staking out a site. Students learn the challenges of 1840’s living and the tools prospectors used in our Miner’s camp. After they form their own candles for the night by process of Candle Dipping. And lastly they retire just before dinner for a try at the backwoods sport of Tomahawk Throwing. Enjoy a miner’s dinner of cornbread and chicken in our barn, and after try their hands at country dancing.
In the morning the sun will greet them with a miner’s coffee (Hot cocoa) as they pack their gear away and set off on hike up into the California mountains in search of a Claim Jumper that has made off with all the goods! Upon return, a hot breakfast of bacon and flapjacks wait in a sea of hot syrup. After their morning meal, a bit of free time and games on the prairie green will be had just before joining our day adventures.
Don’t miss Riley’s 1848 Gold Rush experience your students won’t forget!
Itinerary
Gold Rush Overnight Itinerary
Arrival time – 4:45 p.m.
Students arrive and check in gear at the boarding house. Welcome and briefing of rules.
5:30 p.m.
Load up supplies onto wagon train and move goods from the bottom ground up to the campsite.
6:10 p.m.
Craftsmanship: Tomahawk Throwing, Candle Dipping, and Camp Life.
7:00 p.m.
Miner’s Dinner inside the boarding house.
7:40 p.m.
Country-style Dancing.
8:20 p.m.
Stories, legends, laughter, and bedding down.
9:30 p.m. – Lights out.
7:00 a.m.
Wake call, ‘Miner’s coffee’, and morning trek.
8:00 a.m.
Breakfast in the Boarding house.
9:00 a.m.
Morning Games on the prairie green.
10:00 a.m.
Gold Rush Daytime Tour begins.
FAQ
When should we arrive?
5pm.
What is the maximum group size?
Groups can be a maximum of 80 people.
Can we buy food?
There is on site food at the Bakery and Restaurant which can be ordered or purchased throughout the day. A “miner’s ration” of cornbread and beef jerky is normally provided unless we are otherwise instructed by your school or group leader.
Can we bring our own lunch?
Most schools bring lunches for the students, and they will be given a picnicking area for lunch.
How do we get there?
See Map for driving directions.
What is the typical age group for this tour?
This tour is geared towards 4th and 5th graders, but is fun for all ages, young and old.
Do I need reservations?
Yes.
Testimonials
“On behalf of Cub Pack 242 of Grand Terrace, we attended your Gold Rush tour today. I must say our guides, Jeremiah & Brandon were absolutely amazing!! We were truly taken back to 1849! My son who is 7 on the way home was talking about how he loved digging for gold, how he even pushed the mining cart in the mine shaft. The auction was an eye opener for the scouts they said that is why we always carry water with us! I cant thank Jeremiah & Brandon enough for such a great time not to mention how the life lessons of 1849 were subtle but my cub scouts got the moral of the lessons taught today. Gentlemen I congratulate you on a tour that we will be back on! Thank you thank you!!” -Brandy from Grand Terrace
“My son and I participated in your Gold Rush on Thursday with our Cub Scout pack. I have to tell you how much I truley enjoyed the experience. I’m a teacher in the Colton Joint Unified school district and I fully intend to bring my class for this every year from this point on. I really enjoyed the lessons our boys learned about California’s past.” -Dawn from Upland
“I wanted to tell you how much my class enjoyed the Gold Rush Experience at Riley’s Farm last week. It really helped to drive home how gold fever took over people. We had read and studied all about Sutter’s Mill and Samuel Brannan, but the experience at the farm and the auction really made it stick for them. Your three educators/reenactors were great as well. They had just the right amount of entertainment as well as being able to keep order over the rush of gold fever that took over the hillside. I look forward to your other reenactments. Thanks again for everything.” -Andrea
