History Summer Camps
For over fifteen years, the Cumberland County Historical Society has offered students the opportunity to immerse themselves in hands-on experiences through the Adventures in History Summer Camps.
Two camps are held each summer. Our Elementary camp Adventures in History is for students who are entering 4th, 5th, or 6th grades. The Advanced camp Advanced Adventures in History is for students entering 7th, 8th, or 9th grades.
Camps are on a three-year rotation, so no camper will ever have the same camp twice. Camp themes follow a chronology.
Adventures in History Camp
FULL: The Civil War in Cumberland County
Eligibility: Children entering 4th, 5th, or 6th grade in the fall of 2024 may attend.
Dates: June 17th through 21st or June 24th through June 28th
Time: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Place: Two Mile House, 1189 Walnut Bottom RD, Carlisle
Price: CCHS member/$105 per camper; non-member/$165 per camper
Campers will discover how the Civil War affected Cumberland County through hands-on historic crafts, games, food, and music. Learn about the Confederate attack on Cumberland County and do activities to understand the role of slavery in our area. During the week we will explore the varying resources of the north and the south, play a game of graces, explore period clothing, treat the injured with “bloody” bandages and carry our wounded on stretchers. Making unit flags and parachutes, practicing our communication skills using signal flags, Morse code machines, and nibbed pens, executing military drills, examining munitions, participating in a cake walk, and performing a Civil War era dance are just some of the week’s activities.
Advanced Adventures in History
Industrial Age and World War I
Eligibility: Children entering 7th, 8th, or 9th grade in the fall of 2024 may attend.
Dates: July 8th through July 12th
Time: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Place: Two Mile House, 1189 Walnut Bottom RD, Carlisle
Price: CCHS member/$105 per camper; non-member/$165 per camper
This camp is bursting with activities, games, and crafts oriented around the dynamic years from 1880-1919 when Cumberland County bustled with industry and the Indian School was in full swing. During this time foreign immigration soared and frequent technological advancements filled Americans with excitement and apprehension. Come and explore this fascinating period of rapid transformation. Campers will attempt to duplicate Jim Thorpe’s athletic achievements, gussy up in Victorian era clothing, make “sausage”, create period crafts, learn proper posture and manners for high tea, and of course, be subjected to the terror of trench warfare.
For more information, contact Matthew March, Education Director, at 717-249-7610.
Interested in becoming a member to save on Summer Camps? Become a member here!