By David Madden

WESTAMPTON, N.J. (CBS) — Students at a Burlington County school are taking a history lesson to heart, with plans for a reënactment tonight of the Lewis and Clark expedition topped by an overnight encampment for some of the 150 kids taking part.

Students at Friends Academy in Westampton, NJ spent the summer reading up on the early 19th-century exploration of the American West.  History teachers have centered on the project.

And it all ends up with a bonfire feast of venison and veggies tonight, along with talks from historic-themed actors and an astronomer.

Principal Rose Magrann says the school and its students take on a project like this every other year.

“Two years ago we did the Underground Railroad in a similar fashion, and related it  to local areas in New Jersey that were stopping points along the Underground Railroad.  And this year we decided to do Lewis and Clark to boost the social studies program here at the school.”

As for the overnight campout, that was optional.