Kids Summer Camp with focus on history& Colonial Crafts

History Camp at Bedminster's Historic Vanderveer House

The Friends of the Jacobus Vanderveer House in Bedminster is proud to announce in conjunction with the Bedminster Township Recreation Department, the 2nd History Camp for children.

Journal Entry: Dear Mom & Dad... Here's what happened at History Camp Today Day 2 - Basket Weaving Hello Everyone, After John Philips lively discussion on the colonial household, we were treated to a lesson in the fine art of basket weaving with Elisa Kessler Caporale. We learned that basket weaving was an essential skill in the colonial home and served many purposes from the more practical uses in the kitchen, other areas of the household and farming, to fashion and even toys. Elisa discussed the many, many types of materials that were use used to make baskets in the 1700’s from long pine needles, fabric, and reed to just about anything found on one’s property.  She also talked about the types of ordinary items found in nature that were often used to color the baskets such as the fruit from black walnut trees, berries and even onion skins.  Then it was our turn to have at it!  To make quick learners out of us, Elisa started us off with a Styrofoam cup and 10 pieces of colored reed and one threading reed.  We learned how to carefully weave the threading reed in an alternating simple pattern until it ran out and then add another threading reed and yet another.  It was quite a sense of accomplishment to see our baskets take various shapes depending on the tightness of our weave or angle of our base reeds.   We also learned from our weaving mistakes how to create various patterns in our baskets.  Now it was time for the finishing touches—bases, trim and even handles.  A special thank you to our terrific community service helpers Caitlin Morris and Keira Hedges, and to Linda Hough for sharing her time with us today.  Tomorrow more hands on colonial crafts with Lady Ellen Ruck and Fawn MacNab—shilling pouches, ribbon cockades, rose necklaces for the girls. Job well done everyone!  Happily submitted, Robin Ray, History Camp Coordinator Bedminster Twp Recreation Director

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

History Camp at Bedminster's Historic Jacobus Vanderveer House

Dates: Session 1 - June 30 - July 3, 2009 1-4pm Session 2 - July 20 - July 24, 2009 1-4pm Ages: 9-12 & open to all students in the Somerset Hills area.
Session	Activities
Monday	Welcome, clothing/costume hand-out, History of of the Vanderveer/Knox house, “Bee Keeping and Colonial Farming” with Tassot Apiaries from Milford, New Jersey.  Discussion and processing.
Tuesday	“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	“The Farmers Household ”Colonial clothing, sewing craft projects. Discussion and processing.
Thursday	“Open Fire Cooking ” with Michele Dansak & Kathy Ormosi.  Plan to cook 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).  Clothing styles and their purposes will be discussed relative to children.  Discussion and processing.
Friday (2nd Session Only)	"Archeological Exploration" - with Ian Burrow of Hunter Research, one of New Jersey's most renowned archeological firms.

Registration Form Details (For Download)