Kids Summer Camp with focus on history

It'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

Dear Diary: Day 4 - Archeological Exploration All – Today was “Archeology Day” with Ian Burrows of Hunter Research.  It was HOT, HOT, HOT!  All I can say is I am glad it’s 2008 and the house has air conditioning! John Philips started the class with a 1962 Flintstone's cartoon video clip when he (John) first learned what an archeologist was.   Next it was onto more famous archeologists and an overview of the science.  Then it was onto the real thing with Ian and his assistant outside for a real dig, complete with sifting, sorting, and washing artifacts.   We were joined by Keith Reed from The Friends of the Jacobus Vanderveer House who jumped right in and helped out.  Thanks Keith!  Oh, and Erin from the Bernardsville News also joined us.     Ian split the group in half.  One group washed items from bone, to china and glass from other digs to washing and sorting and classifying their own finds into bags labeled “Jacobus Vanderveer School Project”.  The other group actually dug a pre-measured 5 X 5 foot area 25 ft. or so off the kitchen door and then learned how to measure, label and identify additional lots on a dig site.  Then it was off to work scraping, sifting and sorting.  To us, nothing significant was found but some old shells, but to the children everything was a “find”.  One boy was thrilled to learn that he had found a piece of bring from the original kitchen chimney.   They REALLY got into it. Then it was inside for some cooling down, drawing and learning more about the science of archeology.  Then the kids wanted back outside for a little more digging, and more importantly replacing the area so as not to leave a footprint.  Ian presented the children with certificates and entertained many (and I mean many) questions.  The kids were great and very thoughtful.  Really terrific questions!  At the end of a hot, sticky, dirty day, Ian asked how many children were interested in becoming an archeologist, seven (7) raised their hands.  That was cool! Before I close, I have to share an observation.  It is really interesting to see how the children have taken ownership of the house, and encourage their parents and siblings to come in and walk around as they tell them stories.  Tomorrow is our last day at history camp. Exciting cooking, costuming, and music.    Enjoy the photos. Camp Schedule: Monday - Bee Keeping & Farming Tuesday - Basket Weaving Wednesday - Colonial Crafts Thursday  - Archeological Exploration Friday - Cooking, Costuming and Music

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

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.