How to Prepare for the Pioneer Trek: Preparing Physically!!

- Daily Walking - start at least 4 weeks before the trek!
- If you are planning on wearing unfamiliar footwear try them out on walks at home, you may need to add arch supports, gel-pads, or other modern medical aids to complete your trek experience in good health and comfort. It's better to find out before you leave than when you get there!!!!!
- Drink More Water- at least 2 weeks before
*Dehydration- is a main cause of discomfort and illness when engaged in living history activities. Pre-hydration is vital, as is drinking steady, small amounts of clear liquid at the event. Tepid (not hot, & not cold) water is better than ice-cold water or boiling hot liquids
- What to Wear- wear 100% natural fibers (wool or cotton, micro-fleece, and lycra) can cause problems with over-heating on warm days. Natural fibers are safer around fires and candles. Remember, light layers of wool will insulate better than one thick layer of anything else!!
- Wagons & Carts- be careful around wagons & carts -- never try to climb in or out of a moving conveyance. Don't fool around with, or play pranks with, carts, wagons, or livestock.
- Learn to Recognize the Signs of Dehydration, and heat, and cold emergencies in yourself, and in others- keep an eye on your friends and companies -- if someone stops sweating on a hot day, seek emergency medical aid immediately; if someone has an altered state of mind on a cold day, seek help for hypothermia. If you feel dizzy or disoriented, tell someone immediately!
- Don't Forget to Bring Any Needed Medications!!- if you have severe health problems, talk about the trek with your doctor first, and get his advice. Normal medical conditions can become severe emergencies if poorly managed "in the field." Asthmatics should always have a rescue inhaler in a handy pocket; those allergic to bees should keep an epi-pen handy, etc. Be sure your leaders know of your medical needs before the trek.
- Prepare for the Weather- you may experience extremes of heat, and cold, wet and dry, all in one day. Dressing in historically-accurate layers and textiles is a good plan. If you will be camping, bring something to wear on your head at night.
- Warm up from the Inside- If you get chilly at night, warm up on the inside: do some jumping jacks or vigorous dancing for 10 minutes, until you have a nice glow worked up. Then briskly towel off any sweat, change to clean, dry socks (and into clean, dry clothing if possible), put something over your head, and snuggle down to sleep. Going to sleep in socks you wore all day, or with a bare head, is a sure recipe for getting chilled!
- Sun Screen/Sun Block- bring modern sunblock (unscented), and take the time for a quick water wipe-down and reapplication every 3 hours. Use sunblock on your face, neck and ears,upper chest, hands and fore-arms; everything else should be covered with light cloth layers.