HISTORY CAMP 2024
August 19-23
Newtown Historical Society is pleased to announce that our much-loved History Camp is back in 2024! Our Summer History Camp is for children ages 7-10. The camp runs 9am-12pm every day and takes place at the Matthew Curtiss House on Main Street in Newtown, Connecticut. REGISTRATION OPENS APRIL 1, 2024, and details of how to register (online and by mail) are outlined below.
NEW THIS YEAR!!! Newtown Historical Society is partnering with EverWonder Museum to provide a full-day camp experience. Campers who choose this option will attend Summer History Camp from 9am-12pm, and then shuttle to EverWonder for Science History Camp* from 12pm-3pm. SIGN-UPS ARE VIA EVERWONDER’S REGISTRATION PORTAL ONLY. REGISTRATION FOR THE JOINT HISTORY CAMP/EVERWONDER CAMP IS OPEN NOW, and instructions on how to register can be found below.
As always, our Summer History Camp is limited to 12 campers, and registration is on a first-come first-served basis. A waitlist will be made available if we exceed 12 registrants.
PRICING INFORMATION
Summer History Camp Aug 19-23, 2024, 9am-12pm daily: $175 ($150 for Historical Society members)
Joint History Camp/EverWonder Science History Camp Aug 19-23, 9am-12pm/12pm-3pm daily: $350*
*Please call or visit https://www.everwondermuseum.org for more information about their afternoon camp program and pricing.
REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS (PLEASE READ CAREFULLY)
SUMMER HISTORY CAMP & EVERWONDER SCIENCE HISTORY CAMP COMBO: *OPEN NOW*
1) Visit the EverWonder Museum website: https://www.simpletix.com/e/summer-of-science-camps-2024-tickets-162425#smtx-click
2) Under “Summer of Science Camps 2024”, click the Reserve button.
3) Under Select Date select the week of Mon August 19.
4) On the same page, scroll down to see more of the Science History Section.
5) Next to Summer Camp (combo: 9-3 pm), indicate the number of spots to reserve.
6) Follow the instructions to pay for the Full Day camp.
SUMMER HISTORY CAMP ONLY:
CAMP IS NOW FULL HOWEVER YOU CAN STILL SUBMIT A REGISTRATION FORM TO BE ADDED TO OUR WAITLIST
Option A: ONLINE RESERVATION
1) Complete the application online: https://forms.gle/ucDunB5Q1PYA2anw5
2) Write a $25 check (payable to NEWTOWN HISTORICAL SOCIETY) to reserve your child's place.
3) Mail the check (USPS) to:
Abby Simes
2 Old Tavern Rd.
Newtown, CT 06470
Option B: PRINT APPLICATION & MAIL IN
1) Download an application from here: PDF Form
2) Print and complete the form, enclosing a $25 check (payable to NEWTOWN HISTORICAL SOCIETY) to reserve your child's place.
3) Mail the form and check (USPS) to:
Abby Simes
2 Old Tavern Rd.
Newtown, CT 06470
About Our Camp
Since its inception in 2004, the goal of our Summer History Camp has remained the same: To present Newtown and American history in a lively way that attracts young people to learn about their country and to love its history. Designed for 8, 9, and 10 year olds, the camp offers children a chance to experience colonial life by connecting with local artisans, landmarks, and resources unique to Newtown and the surrounding Fairfield County.
Local area children can experience for themselves what it was like to live before technology became a way of life. Campers will discover how a child dressed by making costumes to wear and keep. They will learn what jobs they might have been expected to do at home, what games they may have played, what lessons were important to learn, and what food the family would have eaten.
Campers will learn the real meaning of "Sleep tight, don't let the bedbugs bite' and other sayings from the Colonial era. They will make marbles as they were were made centuries ago, and play marble games with their creations. The children will learn historic skills such as weaving their own baskets, making their own limn paintings, and practicing the art of tin smithing to create their own candle holders and decorative plates.
And nothing seems to be as much fun as learning to create snacks the old-fashioned way: by shaking jars of cream to make butter, cranking an old-fashioned ice cream maker and putting together real fruit cobblers and baking them on an open hearth in the Curtiss House kitchen.
Over the course of 18 summers, we have repeatedly witnessed children leave their five day experience with us having developed a real appreciation of history and a deepened understanding of their life in New England. Today, many of our Junior and even Senior docents are Summer History Camp graduates, and life-long lovers of history and of Newtown.
Note: Each camp session runs five days, Monday through Friday, from 9am-12pm at the Curtiss House, located on Main Street in Newtown. We only have room for 12 campers! Should a waitlist become heavy, we do our best to create a second session, so please do add your name if our registration is full!
