Students learn history at Prairie Adventure Camp

By KARI KRAMER | East Texas Edition

Barefeet, period clothing, and chores from the 19th century were part of this summer’s Prairie Adventure Camp in McKinney. Campers learned from a variety of activities, including doing laundry the “old-fashioned” way. Here, Allison France, 9, of Dallas and Evelyn Baker, 11, of Plano use teamwork to wring out a sheet before hanging it on the line. -- Staff photo by Kramer

August 4, 2005 - More than 60 students have traveled back in time this summer at the Prairie Adventure Camp in McKinney.

The camp is hosted by the Chestnut Square Historic Village. The village is modeled after a 19th century town, complete with a one-room schoolhouse. During the camp, which lasts three days from 9 a.m. to noon, campers, ages 7 to 12, participate in a variety of activities in the village buildings.

This summer marks the first time these camps were held (four camp sessions with approximately 15 students attending each), but the idea has been a long time in the making, according to Heather Boykin, the curator at the Chestnut Square Historic Village.

“The idea came up several years ago in a programming brainstorming session among the staff,” said Boykin. “The idea seemed a little overwhelming at first.

“A new volunteer, Pat Bartlett, brought up the idea of holding a camp this last winter, and that was the fuel the staff needed to bring it to life.”

Bartlett, who is an instructor at the camp, is one of more than 10 volunteers who teach activities during the camp sessions.

Stratton Turner (front), 11; Dylan Hernandez (back, left), 10; and Harrison Card (back, right), 8; sit on the floor at a village house and learn how to spin yarn. The tedious task was mastered by the group. -- Staff photo by Kramer

Students are taught weaving, yarn spinning, butter churning, rug making, laundering techniques with a washboard, gardening, open-fire cooking, and how to make lye soap. In addition, they learn old-time songs in the schoolhouse.

“The students really enjoy making and tasting their apple pies, weaving, and making butter,” said Boykin. “They think that the stories of ‘old-school’ discipline are interesting and funny too.”

In addition, students are provided with 1800s-style clothing to wear for the duration of the camp. The outfits were made by volunteers. Girls wear dresses with bonnets, and the boys wear shirts and overalls.

“Dressing up is a lot of fun for a lot of students,” said Boykin. “Going barefoot is a treat for some.”

The clothing helps students learn history through the experience.

Haley Barr, 10, is from McKinney, and took part in the camp’s last session July 26 and 28. Haley is not a history buff.

“(History) is about men and what they did,” she said.

But after attending the camp, she has a new perspective. “It makes me think (history) is not boring. If you turn it around in a different way, it can be fun.”

She added that she enjoyed learning the 19th century lifestyle through hands-on opportunities.

Offering a hands-on approach to history is the primary purpose of the camp, according to Boykin.

“History tends to be rather hands-off. It is taught by the use of a history text and any field trips are usually to a museum where ‘don’t touch’ is the rule,” explained Boykin. “Our camp environment uses historic reproductions or similar items so that the children can manipulate the tools that their ancestors once did.”

That philosophy was echoed by camper Harrison Card, 8, of McKinney. He believed many other children would enjoy the Prairie Adventure Camp’s approach to history.

“They can see what people did back then and can learn to appreciate it,” he said, while spinning yarn.

Boykin wants the campers to make many memories at the village, and hopes that like Harrison, the students will learn to appreciate how their ancestors lived.

In the future, she dreams of reaching more students through the camps through more sessions and longer camps.

“Ideally, and perhaps a few years down the road, children will be completely immersed in the camp for a week and get to sleep on straw tick mattresses and eat meals at the old Taylor Inn that exists on-location,” said Boykin.

In the meantime, Boykin and her volunteers are busy planning the 2006 summer sessions. They are tentatively scheduled for June 13 to 15, July 11 to 13, and Aug. 1 to 3. Each camp costs $75. Information is available at www.chestnutsquare.org, or by calling 972-837-4100.