Little Day Camp on the Prairie In the barn, Ivan, 12, and his sister, Reece, 7, demonstrated how to use a hand-operated corn-sheller machine. “That was fun: I want to do more!” he said, adding that he wished he could have such a machine at home. His mother, Laura Hartkopf of Maple Lake, is also interested in history. So when she found the day camp listed in a community-ed bulletin, she knew it would be a natural fit. In fact, it was such a good fit that 2016 marked her son’s fourth year of attending the camp. Now in seventh grade, Ivan’s one of the oldest campers. “I like the hands-on experience,” he said.
Other history camps Pioneer Park isn’t the only historical day camp for Minnesota kids. Closer to the Twin Cities, Fort Snelling and Gibbs Farm, both in St. Paul and The Landing, in Shakopee, all offer immersive historical experiences, including some for kids as young as 4. Claire Davis once attended a variety of historical day camp programs at the Gibbs Farm in St. Paul. Now 16 and a junior in high school, she dons a long dress and apron again as an intern at Gibbs Farm, helping young campers make corn-husk dolls, perform skits and try on the schoolhouse dunce cap. “Dressing up is the best part,” said Davis, whose favorite camp theme is
Victorian Days. “A lot of the campers dress up, too, and it’s so cute.” Davis began expressing interest in history after reading the Little House and American Girl book series. Her mom found the Gibbs Farm for her daughters to
HISTORY CAMPS Historical re-enactment camps immerse kids in a different era, allowing them to see it firsthand — not sketched out in the pages of a history book or school text. And, remember: History camp fees may even be tax deductible because of their educational nature. (See our Grows on Trees column of Page 22 of this issue for details.) Help your kids find their own Little Day Camp on the Prairie experiences at these Minnesota sites:
FORT SNELLING ST. PAUL
Little House in the Big Fort Day Camp — inspired by the Little House series — caters to ages 7–11. Day camps run for four days from 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Dates not sold out at press time included July 11–14, July 25–28 and Aug. 8–11. Cost is $250 per camper. Learn more about other Minnesota Historical Society sites at mnhs.org. historicfortsnelling.org
GIBBS FARM ST. PAUL
Summer day-camp programs for ages 4–13 are offered through the Ramsey County Historical Society. Choose from Pioneer PeeWees for ages 4–5, Pioneer Kid for ages 6–10, Gibbs Girl for girls ages 6–10 and Digging History for ages 11–13. All camps run from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Tuesdays–Thursdays and cost $99, except for Pioneer PeeWees, held from 9:30– 11:30 a.m. on select Wednesdays at a cost of $19. rchs.com
THE LANDING SHAKOPEE
Many day camps with a historical focus are offered through the Three Rivers Park District, including Little House on the River Camp for kids ages 6–12, Civil War Camp for ages 10–15, Adventures of Tom Sawyer Camp for ages 6–12 and Advanced Little House on the River Camp for ages 10–15. Camps, which cost $160, are held from 9:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays. threeriversparks.org
PIONEER PARK ANNANDALE
One-day camps for ages 6–13 give kids a chance to experience the daily life of a pioneer farm child. Offered from 9 a.m.–3 p.m. on select summer Wednesdays — June 21, 28; July 5, 12, 19; August 2, 9, 16) — camps cost $43 per child and includes two snacks, water and lunch. pioneerpark.org