Cancellation of 2020 Civil War Discovery Camp
Due to the Chinese Virus, Michigan's Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) Memorial Hall & Museum has found it necessary to cancel its annual Civil War Discovery Camp previously scheduled for August 11, 2020 on G.A.R. Island Park in Eaton Rapids. We apologize for this, especially to the Tri-County area kids who have come to look forward to this annual event. Hopefully, things will be better in 2021 at which time the event will again take place.
Keith G. Harrison, Board President
Michigan's G.A.R. Memorial Hall & Museum
[email protected]
4th Annual Civil War Discovery Camp
2018 Civil War Discovery Camp
The Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Hall & Museum is offering a Civil War Discovery Camp on August 13, 2019. The camp is designed for children between 8 and 14 years of age, and will last from 10am to 3pm. The cost is $20 per child. The payment covers registration, materials, and lunch. Campers are encouraged to dress in comfortable clothes and shoes, and to bring a bottle of water with their name on it. Camper drop off is at GAR Island Park at Hamlin Court; Pick up is at the G.A.R. Museum.
The campers should arrive at G.A.R. Island Park in Eaton Rapids at 10 AM, where they will learn the manual of arms using wooden Civil War muskets, how to march, how the Civil War soldiers lived, and much more. The campers will learn about the history of the park and its association with the G.A.R. and our Civil War Veterans. They will split into small groups and will visit sites on the island set up to tell the story of the life of a Civil War soldier. Each camper will have the opportunity to fire a reproduction Civil War musket (with parents/guardians approval when they register their child). All musket handling will be under strict adult supervision. Adults will load a blank (powder only), cap, and will hold the musket. Campers will only pull the trigger, and are required to wear safety glasses. Lunch will be provided to the students while on the island.
Around 2 PM, the students will march back to the G.A.R. Museum for a tour and to learn what the Civil War veterans and their auxiliary, the Woman’s Relief Corps, did after the war. Following the tour, each camper will be paid $13 in replica 1860s Civil War federal money and then discharged from “military service” in a short ceremony. Parents are welcome to attend and to bring their cameras.
Additional support for this event this year graciously comes from Meijer, the Jackson Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW) Austin Blair Camp No. 7, Kalamazoo SUVCW General Benjamin Pritchard Camp No 20, and Lansing/Sunfield SUVCW Curtenius Guard Camp No. 17.
Space at the Civil War Camp is limited to the first 30 students who register.
Below is the permission slip/application. This form and payment must be returned to us to insure your child's admission to the camp. We urge you to not wait until the last minute to send in your slip as the camp is expected to fill quickly.
Any questions? Contact us at [email protected] or (517)694-9394 or (517)256-9460.
| 2019_civil_war_discovery_camp_registration.pdf |
