Kids Summer Camp with focus on history

t's the first program of its kind. The Friends of JVH is proud to announce in conjunction with the Bedminster Township Recreation Department...

History Camp at Bedminster's Historic Jacobus Vanderveer House

Journal Entry: Dear Mom & Dad...here's what happened at History Camp Today

Day 1 Diary | Day 2 Diary | Day 3 Diary | Day 4 Diary | Day 5 Diary

Dear Diary: Day 3 - Colonial Crafts Hi All – Today we had visitors from the Historical Society of the Somerset Hills and worked on “Colonial Crafts”.  John Philips with the aid of slides, discussed the importance of light and how light was isolated during colonial times.  June Kennedy of the Historical Society of Somerset Hills discussed the placement of light in a colonial home and safety.  After it was outside for a cool craft in the hot sun making our own “tin can lanterns”.  In addition to our wonderful community service helpers Elise and Ashley, we the children received help from June Kennedy, Daniel Lincoln-President of the THSSH and Marcella Miccolis-Chairwomen of THSSH.  Children selected two designs of their choice which were taped to metal pails with frozen ice.  Children hammered nails following the patterns.  The ice melted rather slowly given it was a hot day.  After the ice melted, each was given a candle for the inside.  The lanterns came out great and not one was alike.  Several of the children chose the “Jacobus Vanderveer House” pattern I made up.  Then it was inside for a discussion on family and heritage, and the children created family crests significant to their family.  Some of the crests included sports images, favorite family holidays, vacations, schools, places where there parents worked, and even individual family members.  Then each crest on parchment was framed for the children to take home.  They were all very creative. Our discussion of what children would eat and drink in the 1780’s became very lively!  Tomorrow is Archeology with Ian Burrows of Hunter Research.  Hope you can join us. The schedule for the remainder of the week is as follows: Camp Schedule: Monday - Bee Keeping & Farming Tuesday - Basket Weaving Wednesday - Colonial Crafts Thursday  - Archeological Exploration Friday - Cooking, Costuming and Music

History Camp at Bedminster's Historic Jacobus Vanderveer House

		Dates: July 14-18,2008 Monday-Friday from 1-4pm Ages: 9-12 Open to ALL students in the Somerset Hills area.
Date	Time	Activity
Monday, July 14	1 to 4 pm	Welcome, Pass out Clothing, History of JVH, “Bee Keeping and Colonial Farming” with Tassot Apiaries.  Discussion and processing.
Tuesday, July 15	1 to 4 pm	“Basket Weaving” with Elisa Kessler Caporale - Children will learn about the history of colonial basket making, purposes, materials, etc. and will be making round reed baskets with multicolored reed finished, looped or braided trim.  Discussion and processing.
Wednesday, July 16	1 to 4 pm	“Colonial Crafts” with June Kennedy and Members of the Historical Society of Somerset Hills.  Children will be making punch can lanterns and family crests on parchment.  Other crafts if time permitting.  Discussion and processing.
Thursday, July 17	1 to 4 pm	“Archeological Exploration” with Ian Burrow of Hunter Research.  Children will participate in a real excavation of a small area south of the kitchen (a foot path from house to barn location); artifact processing washing, sorting and classifying artifacts; discussion of items located on the site and the archeological tools and methods used today.  Discussion and processing
Friday, July 18	1 to 4 pm	“Cooking & Costuming” with Michele Dansak & Kathy Ormosi.  The plan is to cook two items over an open outdoor fire pit, either soup and a bread or fried dough, and also churn butter.  Children will be involved with the food prep that doesn’t actually involve being over the fire. (All necessary fire approvals have been satisfied with the township in addition to the location of the fire pit & dimensions with Hunter Research).  Clothing styles and their purposes will be discussed relative to children.  Discussion and processing.

Day 1 Diary | Day 2 Diary | Day 3 Diary | Day 4 Diary | Day 5 Diary

About the History Camp at Bedminster's
Historic Jacobus Vanderveer House

Bedminster Recreation Department in partnership with The Friends of Jacobus Vanderveer House, is offering a unique camp experience this summer at the township’s Jacobus Vanderveer House.  The historic Bedminster landmark building is the focal point for this hand-on 18th century fun-filled history-center summer enrichment program.  While dressed in authentic 18th century clothing, campers will experience activities reminiscent of life in the 1700s including architectural exploration, craft projects, basket weaving, bee-keeping, music & dancing, games, and open-fire cooking.

History Camp is open to Somerset County residents, 9 to 12 years of age, and was made possible in part by a grant from the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission and the Friends of the Somerset County Culture and Heritage, Inc. 

History Camp is led by experienced professionals, and takes place in the natural historic setting of the Jacobus Vanderveer House, located at River Road Park in Bedminster. The camp is open to all Somerset County residents between the ages of 9 and 12.

Please register early as class size is limited to 20 students. The fee is $175 and includes a boy’s or girls’ period costume to be worn daily to camp. Please use the River Road Park entrance off of Routes 202/206 for access to the Jacobus Vanderveer House.

Download the Registration Form

 

Summer History Camp has been funded, in part, by a grant from the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission and Friends of Somerset County Culture & Heritage, Inc.