Children Can Experience Trading at Bent’s Fort

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The following press release was published by the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service on Aug. 1. It is reproduced in full below.

The public is invited to join the inhabitants of Bent’s Old Fort on the next two Saturdays, August 5th and August 12th at 10:00 am and 1:00 pm for Buffalo Robes for Beads!

This immersive program teaches kids about the fur trade on the High Plains and how the Native Americans would trade here at the fort. Participants will learn some Plains Sign Language, be “given" a buffalo robe or beaver pelt, and use the Plains Sign Language they learned to trade for a package of reproduction trade beads. The kids then have the option of keeping what beads they already have or trading amongst themselves for different colors, then making their own necklace to keep (a $12.00 value). The programs will last approximately 1 hour to an hour and a half.

Space is limited. Reservations are required. Please email us to make a reservation at BEOL_Interpretation@nps.gov and include your name, phone number, how many children you would like to sign up, and which time slot you request. We will send you an email confirmation.

Programs are designed for children between 6 and 15 years old. Kids 15 years of age and younger are free. The park’s fee of $10 per person aged 16 and up will apply. Fees will be collected at the fort entrance. America the Beautiful passes are honored. https://www.nps.gov/beol/planyourvisit/fees.htm

We recommend those attending to come 15 minutes before the start time. Please be prepared for the weather with comfortable shoes, protection from the sun, and plenty of water. A 1/4 mile (1,275 feet) walk on a paved trail from the parking area is required to reach the gate of the fort. At the end of your visit, you'll return to your vehicle along the same path.

These interpretive programs are sponsored by the Western National Parks Association through direct aid funding.

Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site is located at 35110 Colorado Highway 194, eight miles east of La Junta or 15 miles west of Las Animas. For more information, visit the park’s website at www.nps.gov/beol and click on “Special Events" or email BEOL_Interpretation@nps.gov.

-www.nps.gov -

About the National Park Service: More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 425 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Visit us at www.nps.gov, on Facebook www.facebook.com/nationalparkservice, Instagram www.instagram.com/nationalparkservice, Twitter www.twitter.com/natlparkservice, and YouTube www.youtube.com/nationalparkservice.

Tags: bentsoldfort santafetrail trade

Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service

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