Fairfield Museum and History Center will kick off a full summer of history camp adventures on June 27  with "Building Detectives" for grades 3 – 5. 

Students can read a mystery book, but can you read and solve the mysteries of a building? In this exciting one-week camp, students will discover how buildings and architecture can teach us about people from the past.  They'll explore the hidden places of historic buildings and go behind the scenes to discover their mysteries.  Campers will venture on architectural scavenger hunts and build their own structures inspired by the constructed environment around them. 

 And at one of three separate camps from June 27 through July 1 at historic Ogden House in Fairfield, students in grades 3 – 5 will learn about the early settlers and how children lived in the past as they experience historic house tours, the garden, cooking, games, arts and crafts and a wealth of other historical activities.  Campers will explore secret nooks and crannies of Ogden House and learn its mysteries.  Campers will spend the final  day of camp at the Fairfield Museum and History Center where they will experience a day in the life of a student in the 1804 Academy School House and learn to use antique tools in the Victorian Barn and make a surprise, historic treat. 

 

The Museum will also be offering a range of other exciting camps for various grades throughout the summer and registrations would be preferred by at least four weeks before each camp.  Please contact the Museum's Visitor's Service Department at 203-259-1598 or check the web site www.fairfieldhs.org for details. 

 

Other summer camp adventures include,

Session 2: Folktale Fun, July 5 – 8 (4 days), 9am – 12pm Grades 1 – 3  $140 Members / $190 with a Family Membership

Let the beat of a drum and words of a tale whisk you away on a literary journey around the world. Listen to music and read folktales from Native American stories to the myth of John Henry. Campers will create art, masks and costumes to assist them in retelling many classic folk stories inspired by the diversity of the American experience.

 Session 3: Photography -- Grades 5 – 7, July 11 – 15 (5 days), 9am – 3pm, $270 Members / $320 with a Family Membership

View the exceptional works in the IMAGES 2011 photography exhibit and learn about the history and techniques to create your own photographs. Construct your own pinhole camera with a box and discover how cameras manipulate light to create an image.  Bring your digital camera and learn some fun digital imaging techniques on the computer.  At the end of the week we'll have an art show and your parents will be invited to see your work on display at the Fairfield Museum!

 Session 4: History Myths     Grades 4 - 6, July 18 – 22 (5 days), 9am – 3 p.m., $240 Members/ $290 with a Family Membership

Can you separate fact from fiction? Uncover myths in folklore and history through class explorations, discussions and games. Use these discoveries as inspiration to create skits and art projects.  Family and friends will be invited to a revealing showcase on Friday as campers bring historical mysteries to life and introduce their own theories.

 Session 5: American Girls     Grades 3 – 5, July 25 – 29, (5 days), 9am – 3 p.m., $240 Members/ $290 with a Family Membership

Explore different cultures and traditions from early Native Americans through the 1970s in San Francisco with the American Girl historical dolls. Each day will bring new adventures with readings, cooking, art projects and role playing using each doll's story.  We'll travel right through the present with fun activities that celebrate the 2011 Girl of the Year, Kanani.

 Session 9:  The World Around Me, August 29 (1 day workshop), 9am – noon, Grades 2–5     $35

Document the sights, sounds and colors of the Burr Mansion gardens by creating mixed media paintings and collages with objects found in the natural environment.

 Session 10: A Portrait of Me, August 30 (1 day workshop), 9am – noon, Grades 2–5     $35

Throughout history, portrait painting has played an important part in documenting the past. Explore the art of portraits and create your own paintings to best express "the real me." Different materials, backgrounds, colors and textures tell the story about who you are!