Hutchinson ? A group of Kansas youngsters is finding out what it might have been like traveling hundreds of miles across wide expanses of prairie in the 1800s.

More than 85 fifth- and sixth-graders were in the third day of a 12-day journey across Kansas, Oklahoma, Colorado and New Mexico on Wednesday in a whirlwind tour of the Santa Fe trail. Camping in tents overnight and sharing chores such as cooking and cleaning, participants say they are getting a hands-on experience similar to what early pioneers might have gone through.

All except the air-conditioned bus, of course, that takes them from stop to stop. That will let them make the entire trip in less than two weeks, when in the old days it would have taken three months. “My friend and I wanted to see the sites,” said Kailey Koopman, an 11-year-old from Manhattan. “And it’s been fun so far.”

St. George Elementary music teacher Janet Armstead is the trip’s co-director. She said the journey helps “preserve the past while teaching the future.”

“They realize and learn what an important part of history this is, and perpetuate the love of history on to their children.”

Participants stop at historical sites along the trail, about two-thirds of which is in Kansas. On Monday, they were at Fort Larned, and Tuesday took them to the Cimarron National Grassland.

The trip has been offered every two years since 1985. As part of their application, youths write an essay telling why they want to attend. They must receive a recommendation from their teacher, attend eight hours of classes and raise $675 apiece.

Although there are two fundraisers to help with costs, the students are encouraged to earn their own money for the trip.

“They appreciate it more,” Armstead said. “Some have been mowing lawns for two years to pay for it.”

She said participants sleep in tents at night and rotate chores such as serving dinner and doing dishes.

“We want to make this as much as we could like the normal trail travel experience,” Armstead said.