Serves: 5

"Let's take the whole eighth grade and go on a three-day camp out!" In most school districts, a teacher who uttered such a thought out loud would likely be sending out resumes in a very short time. However, a group of teachers from the Kamiah, Idaho, Middle School, came up with just such an idea and have made it an annual event. For those of you not familiar with the Lewis and Clark Expedition, Kamiah is near where the Corps of Discovery met members of the Nez Perce Tribe on their westward journey. The next year, when snow still blocked their passage eastward over the Continental Divide, the expedition spent five weeks at Long Camp with the Nez Perce Indians.

Going on its fifth year, the eight grade undertakes a yearlong class project studying the Lewis and Clark Expedition that culminates with a three day camp-out at Musselshell Meadows. Then, as now, the students from two different cultures learn from and about each other. During the day, the students rotate in groups between various stations where they learn such things as tribal customs and culture from Nez Perce elders, to botany, forestry, map-making, and wildlife management, taught by land management and industry volunteers.

The first evening, I, and a couple of former clinic students, cook a Dutch oven meal of stew, cornbread, and dessert, a meal similar to what the Lewis and Clark Expedition might have eaten after leaving St. Louis while they still had cornmeal. With the entire class gathered around the camp kitchen, I give them a short course in camp cooking, from past to present. The second evening, tribal members prepare a traditional meal of grilled salmon and Indian Fry Bread, for not only the students and staff, but also for parents who drive up after work. This meal is followed by a performance put on by tribal dancers. With only the moon and stars lighting Musselshell Meadows, it is indeed a delightful and unique dining experience!

More Recipes from the Cee Dub's Ethnic & Regional Dutch Oven Cookin' Cookbook:
_A Lot Does A Good Job, More Does It Better!
_Big Pal Passes On Secnds
_Black Jack Scrambles The Eggs
_Breakfast Bull
_Cee Dub Confesses
_Cougar Ranch Patrol Cabin
_Don't Worry Pat, We Ain't To The Bad Part Yet!
_Expensive Lesson
_For A Good Time Dial 1-129-324-3297
_Getting Grub
_Helping Muffin
_If They're Whole, I Can Pick Them Out!
_Musselshell Meadows
_Seven More For Dinner?
_Tater People
_The Best Skunk Cure Recipe I've Ever Found
_The Ultimate In Ethnic Cooking
_Why Be A Camp Cook
_Why Be So Stingy?
_You Know You're...
__Acknowledgements
__Author's Note
__Dedication
__Forward
__Publisher's Note