Friendship Wagon Train in Minnesota

Watch the 29th annual Friendship Wagon Train travel across southern Minnesota to raise money for the Winnebago Camp for people with special needs. This event is held the last week in June and follows a different route each year.
John Davis, long time organizer, is interviewed by Joe. He tells of the great camaraderie between the teamsters and the welcoming communities though which they pass and overnight.
He gives a little history of the event and explains the requirements:
$35/person/$70/family
Includes bus to first town, radios used, port o' potties.
each person gets a pledge book to raise money
many towns provide meals or as for donations (which all end up
being donated to the Camp)
Over $1 million raised over the years.
Amidst clips of the wagon train traveling Joe interviews a number of teamsters on how they use their draft animals on their own farms:
John Davis - draft horse team, bought his first wagon from a man
who told him all about Camp Winnebago.
Bruce Koenig - 11 year old Percheron spreads manure, cuts hay,
plows, elevates oats and powers a burr mill to grind corn.
Rudy Loxtercamp - his first wagon train with his team. They disc,
spread manure, works field and plow days.
Mike Dangler - 17 & 17 year old Belgian team. Mostly used mostly
for sleigh rides in winter and manure spreading.
Nathan Strandell - bought his team while on a wagon train. They are
from Alabama and Tennessee. He and his team ride wagon trains
every summer since he was 12.
Gerald and Leland Tjeersma - breed miniature ponies, their smallest
is 28" tall.
Sidney Yates and his team of draft mules.
Since taping Camp Winnebago has been sold and no longer holds weekly camps.
After the wagon train Stacy Lynn Harris demonstrates her recipe for Provencal Venison Soup. Yum!

[@doncroddy7856]

Now you made this old 75 year old guy, want to go back a few years. I used to raise grade draft ponies and drive them. I had a freight wagon with rubber tires, and a buggy I could go single or double. Wish I could go back to that time again. Love these videos. When it's cold, like it has been, I watch them and think back to the day. Nice going guys and gals. Central Indiana, USA

[@amandamoss9160]

Wow that's was a good year to start this!!! 1976!!!! Long time to do what you all do shows true dedication and hard work!!! What you all do is so amazing and I truly admire your dedication. Love this!!!

[@Angie-GoneSoon]

I wonder if there's any wagon trains in North Carolina.. I'd love to participate, if it was free.. but I wonder how much it would hurt your back if you have a bad back. But, I'd love to find out how it feels to ride on a covered wagon. 🐴🐎

[@severeestimate9361]

How can I sign up? I have two Standies and a couple carriages... Thanks Joshua

[@severeestimate9361]

I live in Faribault

[@RuralHeritage]

Joshua, John Davis of Byron MN is the organizer. Camp Winnebago has been closed but they are going to have the Wagon Train this year supporting a different organization. This is his phone number . [phone].

[@laurirobbins6139]

What a horrible life to get sent to China to get worked to death in a mine. I would be ashamed to have admitted that.

[@Saartje05]

Looks nice but WHY check reins for goodness sakes? I see them on EVERY American draft horse. In EVERY driving video. I can't believe you still use those things. They're cruel and totally unnecessary. No one uses those things here, they're not even allowed. More than a hundred years ago we knew those things were cruel, why didn't you wake up by now?

[@Saartje05]

@Cyndi Rothrock I'm not talking about the normal reins, I'm talking about the extra stuff that keeps the pony's head down. I know everything about riding AND driving horses I started riding 53 years ago and now I'm driving a team and (in normal times) I'm in the scoring room at driving competitions. We don't use all that crap, we train ponies and horses in a way you don't need it.

[@Saartje05]

@Cyndi Rothrock all the crap you bring up while I said nothing about that AND the way you are writing tells me you are a kid. Bye. I don't like kids.

[@raphmaster23]

Docking draft tails is still legal in the US as well, I dont understand it 🤦‍♀️