Pioneer Days Spring Rendezvous coming

Van Wert independent/YMCA information

The Jennings Creek Council (JCC) and Van Wert YMCA are again bringing a fun, interactive re-enactment of 1800s mountaineering life to the community. The YMCA’s Camp Clay will be the site for the Pioneer Days Spring Rendezvous throughout the entire weekend of May 17-20, and is open to the public on both Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Jennings Creek Council re-enactors show what life was like in the early 1800’s when men traveled deep into the American wilderness in search of beaver pelts and other furs. If a man was skilled enough to survive the winter trapping season, he would then gather his furs and travel many miles to prearranged places for a rendezvous (French for “gathering place”). At the rendezvous, the men reunited with their families and exchanged furs for money and supplies, as well as renewing friendships, storytelling, singing, dancing, and competing in tests of woodland skills, such as flintlock shooting and tomahawk throwing.

According to history, the rendezvous meetings were the most important part of the year for these men. Whether they were called mountain men, buck-skinners, trappers, or voyageurs, they opened the doors to the unknown, leading to the eventual taming of the land by pioneers and settlers.

“The Jennings Creek Council re-enactors come from all over Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana. and are looking forward to being able to again use the YMCA Camp Clay campus for their rendezvous,” said Larry Morrison, president of the JCC.

Almost everything in the members’ camp areas accurately reflects Rendezvous life in the 1800s. The camps are allowed to have some modern conveniences; however, these must remain hidden during visiting hours to give visitors the most authentic period experience for visitors.

“The YMCA is very excited to offer this special event to the Van Wert community,” said YMCA Executive Director Hugh Kocab. “The pioneer camps will provide some great family fun and a local opportunity to experience life in the 1800s.”

Events will include black powder muzzleloader competitions, tomahawk and knife throwing, open fire cooking, period games and other demonstrations of skills and camp life.

Information on this and other programs available at Van Wert YMCA Camp Clay can be found by calling the Van Wert YMCA at 419.238.0443, visiting www.vwymca.org or emailing clint@vwymca.org.  Camp Clay is located at 9196 Liberty Union Road in Van Wert.

The YMCA of Van Wert County is partially funded by The Van Wert County Foundation and United Way of Van Wert County.