Junior History Club

History is fun!

Have fun with history! 

The Friends of Clermont and museum staff invite your child to discover their heritage in a safe and enjoyable manner at this year’s Summer History Camp.

Two weeks of camps are offered for children ages 7 – 14.  The first camp, July 30^th through the August 3^rd, will focus on the colonial and colonial revival periods at Clermont.  The second camp, August 6^th through the 10^th, will be based on historical characters of Clermont.

Both camps will feature historical games, crafts, and activities that were part of daily life on the Clermont estate in the 18^th, 19^th, and early 20^th centuries.

The Summer History Camps are coordinated by a guest educator.  Clermont State Historic Site’s staff with first aid training will be present at the site during camp weeks.

How are the camps structured?

The camps will take place between 9 am and 2 pm each day.  Parents or guardians are requested to accompany their child to Clermont’sVisitorCenteron the first day of the program to meet the coordinators and councilors.  Children should be picked up at the end of the camp day between 2 and 2:30 at theVisitorCenter.  Parents or guardians must let the coordinator know in advance if someone other than him or herself will be picking up a child.

What takes place at the camp?

In the first camp, children ages 7 to 11 will investigate life on a Hudson Riverestate during the Colonial era and discover what life was like for children who grew up during the Revolutionary War period.  Among the activities children will sample family recipes, create an 18^th century toy, and work on colonial crafts and skills.  Each day the children will play a period game or sport.  These include the “game of graces”, town ball (an early version of baseball), and croquet.  To conclude the week, campers will engage in an “historical scavenger hunt.”  They will create and present their own museum exhibition at a reception for campers and their families to be held on last day of camp.

The second camp, for children ages 10 to 14, will have a different focus.  Campers will learn about the history of Clermont from Colonial times to the early 20^th century through specific historical characters of Clermont.  Each camper will choose a character to investigate and develop through hands-on activities.  These activities will include historical research, as well as historical crafts and skills.  During the week campers have the opportunity to go “behind the scenes” with the museums curatorial staff.  On the final day of camp they incorporate their knowledge about their character by performing a brief play, in period costume, in theLivingston home.  Families are invited to attend the performance and reception.

What is the cost of the camp?

Tuition for the camp-which includes all supplies and materials, as well as beverages each day- is only $120 per child per week, $105 per child per week for Friends of Clermont members.

The Friend of Clermont, a private, non-profit educational corporation, offers scholarships at each camp to students in local public or private schools.  Scholarship candidates should attend school or reside in Columbia, Dutchess, Greene, or UlsterCounties.  Parents seeking scholarships should request a nomination form, which must be completed by the child’s teacher.  Children who are nominated are asked to write a short essay or draw a poster illustrating why they would like to attend camp at Clermont.  Parents are also asked to write a brief note that explains how they believe their child would benefit from the camp experience.  Scholarship applications should be submitted by June 29^th.

How do I register my child?

Registration is limited to 16 children per camp.  Please contact the museum office as soon as possible.  We will mail you a registration form, which must be returned with your check in order to confirm your reservation.  Your check is refundable up to two weeks prior to the start of camp.  To register by phone, call Kjirsten Gustavson, Curator of Education at (518) 537-4240.  Parents are also welcome to register their child in person.  The museum offices, located in the Livingston Mansion at Clermont State Historic Site, are open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.