Bethel Historical Society - Annual Colonial Times Kids Summer Camp

What was life like for children in the 1700s? The Bethel Historical Society provided that experience at their annual Colonial Times Kids Summer Camp. Crafts, paper making, old fashioned games such as hoop rolling and stilt walking, butter, biscuit and cheese making, gathering of eggs and vegetables, experiencing lessons taught in a one-room schoolhouse, and a visit to the landmark Putnam Memorial State Park.

This does not happen without the help of several people. I want to thank Don Taylor for the use of the Plumtrees Schoolhouse; thank you to Bob and Zack at Putnam Memorial State Park for the very interesting tour of the Visitors Center, the solders’ hut, the Museum and for bringing to life, for the children, how the American Revolutionary War soldiers lived at this encampment. The children made and wore tri-corn hats for the Park tour. Thank you to Historical Society Board members, Mary Ferri, who each year creates new and wonderful experiences for the children, Marc Moorash and Ava Dawn-Heydt for the messy but creative paper-making experience, Kitty Grant, who is always there to help little hands and our summer intern, Sophie Sauber, who has now worked with us for a few years, who enjoys working with the children and the children enjoy working with her. Thank you to Rob Sauber for capturing some of these experiences in photos. Thank you all for your dedication to this annual event.

How do we know we are successful; the children tell us and there is no better accolade than hearing it from them.

Patricia Rist, President

Bethel Historical Society