I arrived early to set up my equipment and in the process discovered some edibles on the grounds… some large puffball mushrooms and some garlic mustard plants. I was able to put these on display for the students to see later. I usually use a trash can lid inverted and placed on three rocks in which I build a campfire for the day. I can use this for multiple activities such as how to build a fire lay, how to suspend a can-turned-pot with which to boil water, and it adds a great atmosphere of campfire smoke aroma that spreads throughout the grounds.

There is a bamboo grove at the edge of the grounds which in the past has provided me with materials to make a bamboo pot that I had boiled bamboo shoots to eat in an earlier season. I was able to show the pot to the class and described how it was made and how water can be boiled in a wooden vessel in order to cook food.

I had various items spread out on a table to stimulate questions and give some hands-on learning opportunities. It was a pleasure to see inquisitive minds in action and with the help of the teachers we had an orderly and productive time. This was truly a brief but meaningful opportunity to impart knowledge of heritage and survival skills that may capture the thoughts of these students and may be a springboard to their pursuits of these important skills.

Edith Marie Ferguson Carter, owns and operates Whippoorwill and organizes Daniel Boone Day each year with the help of other volunteers. There were many vendors and demonstrators including flint knappers, knife makers, and quilt makers among others. Other activities included Civil War reenactment, musicians, period theater actors and more. It was nice to hear live music throughout the day.

In my area I demonstrated primitive and survival skills. Because Whippoorwill Village has a bamboo grove, I collected bamboo stalks and emerging shoots then boiled the shoots in a bamboo pot that I made over my campfire. I also used a pair of clam-shelled tin cans that produced a perfectly baked potato. My cooking demos provide me with my day-time meals. I also had the opportunity to try on a bear hide that came from a neighboring county. It made me ponder the fauna of the early days of Daniel Boone.

A number of folks expressed to me that they look for the teepee and follow the campfire smoke to the Survivaltek booth. It’s always fun to connect with friends, both old and new. At the same time I get to learn new things when people share their experiences. This is a great annual event that I highly recommend.