Revolutionary War Encampment at Crompond School

Dressed in uniforms, fourth grade students at Crompond School marched in their ranks, carried muskets, bags, and set up tents. No, there were not going to war. They participated in the 9th annual Revolutionary War Encampment at their school, which was held over two days.

The encampment is the largest in Westchester County, according to John Pastore, a teacher at the school who has been organizing the encampment over the last nine years. It is done in two days, Tuesday and Wednesday, to accommodate 300 students. 

Pastore got the idea through a former professor of his while he was taking a graduate course, "Teaching the American Revolution." The Living History Education Foundation is led by Joseph Ryan, professor at the College of New Rochelle. Ryan's class, comprised of teachers, took a field trip to Saratoga, NY where two battles were fought during the Revolutionary War. Ryan asked his students to reenact the war at their schools and as a result, they would receive a $1,000 grant. The money was just enough to buy 1 tent, 20 hats and 20 muskets. 

Since the first encampment, nearly a decade ago, where only 20 students could participate, the interest in student participation has skyrocketed. Pastore said that "living history" is what makes the students not only learn the material they're taught in the classroom, but also remember it. 

"It's too bad something like this does not get measured on New York State exams," Crompond School principal Ken Levy said.

Students had been learning about the Revolutionary War all year, he said, and both students and teachers had been completely emerged themselves in it. 

"It's applying their learning and demonstrating what they've learned," Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum Florence O'Connor said. "It's making it come to life."

Fourth grade teacher Adele Kivel said the students learn better by "doing rather than memorizing" and that's what made the encampment a "truly learning experience."

Janet Finnegans, whose 9-year-old son Matthew participated in the encampment, said students won't forget the experience. 

"It gives you a sense of pride that your kids understand what our soldiers were doing back then and now fighting for the country," she said.

Living History is a method of teaching that is based on immersing the students into various historical settings. They experience it first hand by wearing the clothing, doing the daily chores, such as food preparation, marching or home industry. During the day, students participated in workshops, such as tin and button making, colonial songs, revolutionary war games, colonial cooking, military artillery, medicine, espionage, tricorn hats and medicine. 

Students have learned about the different divisions, rankings and strata of the military that participated in the Revolutionary War, along with the role that the local area had played during the American Revolution.

"Through our collaborative efforts, our students have identified and learned the life of a Revolutionary War soldier," officials wrote in a brochure given out the day of the encampment.  

Fun facts:

• Students were given their ranks based on good behavior, listening and helping skills
• Parents and staff members assisted in roping off areas for camp and making lunch
• The Sewing Committee of about 14 parents sewed some of the kids' costumes. 
• Superintendent of Schools Ralph Napolitano was dressed in his role of General George Washington

Check out the photos to see scenes from Wednesday's Revolutionary War Encampment at Crompond School. 

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