Experiencing colonial life at summer camp.
Having Fun While Learning
Traditionally, summer camp is a time to learn a new skill in a safe and structured environment. The variety of activities offered is as varied as the imagination, including camping, hiking, swimming, crafts and organized sports.
Elementary and middle school students in Salisbury, North Carolina have the opportunity to learn about colonial and Civil War days through history camps at the Rowan Museum. Each summer four weeks of camp are scheduled with two for elementary and two for middle school students. Education Coordinator, Tricia Creel is the perfect person to lead and direct the camps having found a love for history when a student at Catawba College. To fulfill part of the requirements for graduation, she became an intern at the museum her senior year, loving it so much she never left.
The day I stopped by the museum, students were learning about life in colonial days. After observing, I finally sat down beside a student who was weaving on a small loom. Amazed at the process, I asked if I could try.
One lesson I soon learned was it didn’t pay to be in a hurry because shortcuts only produce mistakes. I suppose the over-all lesson was that life during colonial days moved a little slower than today.
By mid-morning groups of children were on the floor and at tables playing games such as pick up sticks, dominoes and marbles. Not having played pick-up sticks in a while, I forgot just how much fun it could be. It’s amazing how a few sticks thrown on a table can provide fun even in this day of technology and electronics such as video games, cell phones and computers.
After about a half-hour of games, Tricia said it was time for crafts. Some of those were making bricks, homemade paper, a necklace and soap. I couldn’t pick a favorite because I liked them all. Enjoying the experience of making something useful from scratch, I felt deep down in my DNA there must be a pioneer spirit, and yet comfortable with modern appliances and gizmos, it would be hard for me to “rough it.”
Learning other activities later in the week were gardening, making marble paper with a painting technique, tombstone rubbings in the Old English Cemetery and a tour of the historical Utzman Chambers House, I hope next year to attend more than just one day.
If interested in learning more about history camp at the Rowan Museum, click here.
What summer camps in your area inspire children to think outside the box and maybe try something new? Leave a comment below, message on Facebook or email dicysm@yahoo.com.
Thanks,
Dicy
www.dicymcculloughbooks.com/blog
