History Camp hosted by Warwick Historical Society

WARWICK — During the week of Monday, July 29 to Friday, Aug. 2, the Historical Society of the Town of Warwick hosted its annual History Camp for children ages eight to 12.

Each summer, classes conducted by New York certified teachers and administrators who are also Warwick Historical Society members are held in four of the Society’s buildings and in Lewis Park.

From 9 a.m. until noon each day, the children learn first hand about the way of life and the daily activities of the Native Americans, the Colonial Period European settlers and early nineteenth century American citizens who inhabited Warwick throughout its history. The camp concludes with a MeetingHouse social fair.

Depending on the weather, the youngsters might visit an 1860-era soldiers’ encampment on the grounds of Lewis Park, the life of a Colonial tavern keeper and his family in the actual historic Baird’s Tavern, farm family life in the 1830s at Sly Barn and what Sundays were like 200 years ago at the Old School Baptist MeetingHouse.

“This year they even did an archeological dig behind the Shingle House kitchen and found all kinds of items,” said Administrative Coordinator Sharon Knol.

Additional activities include traditional sports and games, map making and orienteering, military drills, uniforms and muskets.

Introduction to other subjects, skills and customs include first aid, campfire and fireplace cooking, hospitality and manners, apple cider pressing, animal husbandry, sewing and clothing, soap-making, leather work, woodworking, journal writing, sketching and photography.

For information about next year’s History Camp visit www.warwickhistoricalsociety.org.