INTRODUCTION

Pioneer Camp was developed in 1989 with the concept of acquainting today’s children with the life style of children in the past.  The camp was to let the children learn by doing. The Pioneer Camp has grown since the first year.  In 1989, there were 15 children.  Today there are two one-week sessions with 24 children per week. The Dickinson County Historical Society is committed to the continuation of this program.  Each year the Education Committee tries to improve and add new dimensions to the camp. The goal is to educate the children in the life styles of the past in a fun and educational manner.

 

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

In 1989, Pioneer Camp was developed by Lynda Scheele and the Education committee.  The idea was to use the facilities at the Heritage Center to educate today’s children about the life styles of the children of the past. The camp was to be a unique learning opportunity which would teach the children what life was like over 100 years ago.  This way the children would learn by DOING.  The committee wanted the children to get their hands dirty.

 

Fifteen campers attended the first year.  By the second year the camp was full and a waiting list was long enough to fill the next year.  The camp was very popular. The program received an Award of Excellence from the Kansas Museum Association.  It was also featured on Sunflower Journeys, a public TV program on KTWU, Channel 11, Topeka, Kansas. As the program continued to develop, the waiting list was too long so a second session was added.  In 1993, Pioneer Camp was two one-week sessions with 21 campers per session.

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CHILDREN’S PARTICIPATION

The children are required to participate; that is the whole purpose of the camp.  All campers who attend should be aware of this requirement.  The children will be introduced to many different tasks, such as cleaning chickens, milking goats, hauling water and wood, weeding the garden and helping prepare food.  All of this is part of their unique learning experience. All children are required to participate and to taste all foods prepared.  If not, the child will not be able to learn and will hinder the experience for the other campers. The campers will be required also to follow the instructions of all adult and student supervisors.

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DISCIPLINE PROCEDURES

The Dickinson County Historical Society reserves the right to discipline the campers.  As we all know, there are times when children need to be corrected.  It is not the interest of the Historical Society to put forth too many regulations which would take away from the learning experience.  However, The Historical Society believes all campers should not suffer because of one person.

 

Procedures:  1. Verbal warning/encouragement; 2. Time out, sitting on the porch; 3. Talk to parent(s); 4. Dismissal from camp with NO REFUND

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ADULT SUPERVISION

The Dickinson County Historical Society will provide at least three (3) adult supervisors.  In most cases there will be several more. The children will be expected to follow the instructions of all adult supervisors.

 

STUDENT SUPERVISION

The Dickinson County Historical Society also uses student supervisors to assist with camp activities.  The student supervisors are usually camp alumni.  They act under the supervision of the adults.  The campers should abide by their instructions as they would the adults.

 

ENROLLMENT

Each session is limited to 24 campers.  Please return enrollment form along with payment of camp fee to Dickinson County Historical Society, 412 S. Campbell, Abilene KS 67410.  Fee for non-members is $125 per camper.  If you are currently a member of Dickinson County Historical Society, your campers fee is $100 for first camper and $75 each additional camper.  The fees must be sent with enrollment form for the campers to be enrolled for camp. 

 

All campers must have finished second grade before enrolling in camp.  The camp is designed for children in 3rd, 4th and 5th grades. This is a day camp.  Children are to be here no later than 9:00 am and be picked up at 1:00 pm daily.

 

STATEMENT OF RISK

Pioneer Camp is designed to give children a realistic pioneer experience.  In doing so there are some inherent risks.  However, every safety precaution is taken to ensure the children have a safe experience. Most of the activities which are preformed are safe and well supervised.  However, there is always a risk of accidents.  The children will be using equipment like a corn sheller or corn grinder, working in the blacksmith shop, using paring knives in the kitchen, working around animals, and working around a hot wood-burning stove. The adult supervisors are all aware of the safety hazards and they take steps to ensure that the activities remain as safe as possible. The children are also informed of the safety hazards and the precautions before starting an activity.  On Tuesday of the camp, the children will be transported to a prairie and they will be away from the museum.  All precautions will be taken to have an enjoyable experience.

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CAMP ACTIVITIES

The following is a sample of some of the programs from past camps:

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Barn Chores :

-- campers will feed and water livestock such as chickens and goats (milk goats when available).

-- clean stalls   

-- gather eggs     

 

Kitchen Chores:

-- haul water and wood

-- gather produce from garden

-- prep food for lunch

 

Prairie Day:

--  travel to a prairie, explore plants and animals

-- discuss life on the prairie

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Washday:

-- wash clothes with lye soap and scrub board

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Pioneer Activities:

-- rope making, butter churning, craft projects, wool spinning, weaving, sheep sheering, blacksmithing, grooming, ironing, killing and dressing chickens.

 

 Cooking:

-- help prepare pioneer meals, such as chicken and noodles, baking apples and bread, rolling out biscuits, making gravy and stuffing sausage.

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Pioneer Games:

-- marbles, red rover, stilts, jump rope, hoops and sticks

 

Each year we try to add new programs and activities.  A schedule will be developed by May 1st.