Oregon Trail Live-Action Simulation

The program began by dividing the eight attendants into two parties. Each party was allocated $1,000 in greenbacks in random denominations. A staff member was stationed at the trading post to sell goods. Original prices of materials were $200 per oxen, $20 per 5 ammo, $100 per spare part, $50 for medicine and $20 for ten food rations.

Players debated with their teams and then spent some of their money on what they would need: 2 oxen were needed to pull their wagon and begin the game, a player had to sacrifice one food ration each to roll the die and take a turn, and other items such a medicine were needed in case players ran into calamities. Each turn, a party rolled the die. Sides were marked with numbers one-three, and "Calamity." Players either moved that number with their party or had to draw a Calamity Card. Calamities included a party member getting an illness such as dysentery, the party facing extreme cold or a thief stealing some of their supplies. A party could also choose not to roll and instead hunt for food, which was simulated via cornhole. Each bean bag in the hole meant five extra food rations.

Calamities could be resolved by using supplies. Medicine could cure a sick party member, etc. If adequate supplies were not available, however, party members would die or be set-back, depending on the circumstance. Party members who did die were given a homemade button stating how they perished, which players found very fun. Dead party members could not help alive ones but had fun heckling the other team. Parties who landed on a River space had to either sacrifice wagon parts or pay a toll to cross. Parties who landed on a fort could choose to buy new supplies or trade in their supplies for others, depending on what they needed. However, prices gradually rose along the trail in order to present a challenge. Rivers and forts were spaced along the trail to reflect the actual Oregon trail route as accurately as possible.

The program, though attended by only eight individuals, was a success. Although no one was encouraged to dress up, one player did wear a bonnet, and another came in an Abraham Lincoln costume. Players had a lot of fun during the game, and many had actually read up on the Oregon Trail prior to coming since they knew there would be references to both the video game and the actual trail. Many of them had actually played the game as part of a school lesson and were excited to see the references to the game and the aesthetic choices made for the game that reflected the low-res, 8-bit style.

They found the prizes fun, though many of them said they came because the actual gameplay and activity looked fun and unique. Interestingly, a large portion of the gameplay was actually dedicated to budgeting. Each party spent a great deal of time budgeting what they would need to buy before setting off on the trail, and what they would save if they needed it later. This was therefore a success in terms of financial literacy and was much in the spirit of the original video game. The library plans to repeat the program during the school year and attempt to partner with the local schools to encourage their students to register when they teach the Oregon Trail and related history in class.