Fort Clatsop National Memorial offers more opportunities to get a first-hand look at life for the Lewis and Clark expedition in “Wintering Over: Snuggly Fixed in their Huts,” from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday, Dec. 27-29.

The first-person history program features interpreters portraying eight actual members of the Corps of Discovery as they go about the daily routine of life at the winter encampment.

Talk one-on-one with the sergeant and seven soldiers about their experiences crossing the continent and reaching the Pacific Ocean, as well as the daily routine of life at Fort Clatsop, their home during the winter of 1805-06. Ask how they keep dry in the wet Oregon Coast weather; how they like elk for breakfast, lunch and dinner; and what they miss most about home.

“History is so often just the dates and places of events,” said Fort Clatsop ranger Sally Freeman. “This is the people.”

The park has long offered demonstrations of gun-loading, fire-starting and other activities of the Corps. But through first-person Living History programs like “Wintering Over,” and the salt-makers camp offered the last two summers in Seaside, the park hopes to offer a more immediate and personal look at the Lewis and Clark story as the “troops” share their thoughts and feelings about their historic trek, Freeman said.

“It’s the human side of the expedition,” she said.

The programs also offer something of a trial run for the expanded Living History events the park plans to offer as part of the upcoming Lewis and Clark Bicentennial, Freeman said.