2019 Camp Dubois Spring Rendezvous
Experience Mountain Man life at the annual Camp Dubois Spring Rendezvous on May 4-5, 2019 at Camp Dubois near the Lewis and Clark State Historic Site in Wood River, Illinois. The Camp Dubois Spring Rendezvous celebrates the pre-1840s fur trade era with reenactors camping at a replica of Lewis and Clark’s 1803-1804 winter encampment in teepees and period tents. Activities includes tomahawk and knife throwing competitions, black powder and archery contests, and other period demonstrations, food, crafts, and live entertainment.
Camp Dubois Spring Rendezvous
Visitors and history lovers alike are welcomed to the Camp Dubois Spring Rendezvous. Historical reenactors set up camp in the area around and inside the replica of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark’s encampment. Talk with them and learn about starting fires with flint and steel, cooking over open camp fires, making clothes from animal hides, or how Lewis and Clark prepared for their journey. The original Camp Dubois, located toward Hartford, was where their expedition to the newly purchased American west began.
Tomahawk and knife throwing competitions are available for all ages to participate. Black powder shoots, an archery contest, as well as an auction will all take place over the weekend.
Artisans will be providing goods and information about crafts such as blacksmithing, rope making, basket weaving, and making canoes. Many of these artisans will be demonstrating how their wares are made. You’ll see men, women and children cook on open fires, conduct trade, present period demonstrations and tell stories. Just watch, or step back into time with them.
Public Welcome – Admission Free
Camp Dubois Spring Rendezvous Public Hours:
Saturday: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Sunday: 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Features:
* Blackpowder Shoot – $10 Blanket Prize; For reenactors there will be a post shoot sat. $5 per person. 3 man teams; winning team gets 50% of money paid in.
* Tomahawk Throw and Knife blocks
* Long Bow Shoot and a duel shoot. Duel shoot winner will win a very nice long bow.
* Flag Ceremony Daily 10:30 a.m.
* Saturday Night Camp Feed (bring meator veggies for stone soup
* Food vendor and bread ovens going.
Camp Dubois Spring Rendezvous Mini-Gallery
Camping
Early Setup: Wednesday before the event
Primitive Camp Fee $10.00
Modern Camp Fee $15.00 (Scouts welcome)
Camping fee for the Camp Dubois Spring Rendezvous provides campsites, water, firewood and a climatized comfort station with showers for those participants spending the night.
Traders
Traders Tent $25.00
There will be a primitive camping area geared to authenticity (1750-1840). Those Traders and artisans who qualify will be assured of a good place for public exposure.
General Rules:
* All items sold, demonstrated or traded must be fro the 1700-1840 era.
* Pets must be on a leash and under control at all times.
* No vehicles in camp after 9:00 Saturday morning until Sunday 2:00 p.m.
Location
Camp Dubois
198 N Main St,
Wood River, IL 62095
Directions: Intersection of IL Rte 3 & IL Rte 143
Continue West on Route 143 until you go over a train overpass.
Just after the over the overpass, turn North on Ferguson.
Follow Ferguson/N Main Street until it dead ends into parking lot.
For More Information
Luke Reinhold (PI) 314-223-2621; lukereinhold27@gmail.com
About Camp Dubois
Camp DuBois is a replica of the 1803-04 fort of Lewis and Clark as it existed 200 years ago. The Corps of Discovery of St. Charles is an all-volunteer organization and there is no guarantee that there will be reenactors at the site at all times or that the site will be open to visit. If you are planning to make a trip to visit Camp DuBois you may want to schedule your trip on Wednesdays through Sundays when Camp River Dubois, the Illinois State Historic Site located 4 miles south of Camp DuBois on Route 3, is open and both sites can be visited. Camp River Dubois features another version of 1803-1804 winter encampment and features a Visitors Center with 4 galleries of exhibits and displays. Visitors and other groups wishing to visit Camp DuBois should call the Wood River Museum and Visitors Center at 618-254-1993 to ensure that the site will be open. There is no charge to visit Camp DuBois.
About the Lewis and Clark State Historic Site
The Lewis and Clark State Historic Site (about 3 miles from Camp Dubois) commemorates the 1803-1804 winter camp of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. It was at Camp Dubois that members of the Corps of Discovery prepared for their expedition to the Pacific Ocean. The 14,000 square-foot exhibit space contains six galleries that outline the background and history of the Lewis and Clark expedition from its conception to its meaning for today’s America. Exhibits are kid-friendly, offering opportunities for hands-on engagement. A “reconstruction” of the winter camp, Camp Dubois, is located on the grounds near the visitor center. Its design reflects 1803 U.S. Army regulations for the construction of military posts. Interpreters are on-site daily in the camp to explain how the men prepared for the journey. This is a ‘must see’ for folks that make it to the Camp Dubois Spring Rendezvous.
Mark your calendar so you don’t miss the next Camp Dubois Spring Rendezvous on the last weekend of October at Camp Dubois on the Lewis and Clark State Historic Site in Wood River, Illinois.
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