A hands-on field trip on food, fire, and the history of the American Chuckwagon
Step into the role of a Vista Sol Chuckwagon Crew member and explore how fire, food, and cooking shaped the way people lived.
Participants will discover how humans first learned to use fire, practice basic fire safety and grilling skills, explore how growing food changed communities, and hear the story of the chuckwagon cooks—known as “Cookie”—who kept cattle-drive crews fed on the American trail.
Along the way, participants will help prepare colorful vegetable skewers, observe a ranch-style lunch cooking over the fire, and discover how heat transforms the color, texture, aroma, and flavor of food.
Hands-on fire safety and grilling activities
Vegetable skewer preparation
Ranch-style fire cooking demonstration
Mini Ranch Garlic Chicken Skewers
Fire-Roasted Vegetable Skewers
Fresh Sourdough
Build-your-own s’mores
Fireside gathering
The experience is designed to encourage curiosity, confidence, participation, and teamwork, with opportunities to learn through seeing, smelling, touching, tasting, and doing. Participants are welcome to engage at their own comfort level.
Older Kids: $40 per participant
Neurodivergent Young Adults & Adults with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities: $55 per participant
A spark becomes a flame, simple ingredients become a feast, and curiosity becomes confidence.
Length: 2 hours
Recommended Ages: Ages 9+
Group Size: 12–30 participants
Location: The Vista Sol, just outside Temecula
What to Bring: Closed-toe shoes, water bottle, weather-appropriate clothing
A hands-on field trip on food, fire, and the history of the American Chuckwagon
Step into the role of a Vista Sol Chuckwagon Crew member and explore how fire, food, and cooking shaped the way people lived.
Participants will discover how humans first learned to use fire, practice basic fire safety and grilling skills, explore how growing food changed communities, and hear the story of the chuckwagon cooks—known as “Cookie”—who kept cattle-drive crews fed on the American trail.
Along the way, participants will help prepare colorful vegetable skewers, observe a ranch-style lunch cooking over the fire, and discover how heat transforms the color, texture, aroma, and flavor of food.
Hands-on fire safety and grilling activities
Vegetable skewer preparation
Ranch-style fire cooking demonstration
Mini Ranch Garlic Chicken Skewers
Fire-Roasted Vegetable Skewers
Fresh Sourdough
Build-your-own s’mores
Fireside gathering
The experience is designed to encourage curiosity, confidence, participation, and teamwork, with opportunities to learn through seeing, smelling, touching, tasting, and doing. Participants are welcome to engage at their own comfort level.
Older Kids: $40 per participant
Neurodivergent Young Adults & Adults with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities: $55 per participant
A spark becomes a flame, simple ingredients become a feast, and curiosity becomes confidence.
Length: 2 hours
Recommended Ages: Ages 9+
Group Size: 12–30 participants
Location: The Vista Sol, just outside Temecula
What to Bring: Closed-toe shoes, water bottle, weather-appropriate clothing
