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Campers try their hand at pioneer work
Pioneer Day
Video
A group of local kids traded in their 21st century toys for a week and learned to live like an Ohio settler.
Photo
Working the old loom are Anastasia Monrean of Liiberty, 11, and the director Rebecca Whitenberger at the Mahoning Valley Historical Society’s “Pioneer Days” Summer Camp.
By Elise Franco
YOUNGSTOWN — A group of local kids traded in their 21st-century toys for a week and learned to live like an Ohio settler.
Ten children have attended the Mahoning Valley Historical Society’s “Pioneer Days” camp since Tuesday at the Arms Family Museum of Local History, said Rebecca Whittenberger, the museum’s curator of education.
Whittenberger, in charge of the program, said the kids spend time from 9 a.m. to noon each day playing games, making crafts, reading books and doing activities that teach them about pioneer life.
“Everything we do is reflecting the Ohio pioneer 200 years ago,” she said. “Throughout the week, we played old-fashioned games, learned how to wash clothes the way they did and made butter.”
Whittenberger, who has been at her post for three years, said one of the most exciting activities for the kids was learning to weave on a loom.
“They think it’s great,” she said. “I hope they like it, and I hope they’re having fun.”
Kaylyn Hoschar, 11, of Youngstown, said she was surprised to find that using the loom wasn’t hard at all.
“I’m having a lot of fun so far, and working on the loom was the best part,” she said.
While working on an Ohio Star quilt pattern, Victoria Thomas, 11, of Youngstown, explained that she likes learning about history and how people lived “back then.”
“I’d have to say yesterday was my favorite when we washed clothes on the washboards,” she said. “It helps us see what the ladies did. It was kind of hard.”
Whittenberger said “Pioneer Days” is the second of three summer camps hosted by the historical society throughout the summer. She said the kids who attend are usually interested in history but have learned about it only by reading at school.
“A lot of kids aren’t exposed to museums at a young age,” she said. “The hands-on aspect of the camp is what really makes everything come alive for them. They’re doing the activity instead of just reading about it.”
Ridley Clark, 6, of Youngstown, said her parents signed her up for camp because she likes learning new things.
“I love learning about history. ... They had to use spinning wheels to make clothes” she said. “I like learning about those things that happened way back then.”
Ridley said though she’s had a good time at camp, she wouldn’t want to have grown up as a pioneer.
“I’m having fun so far ... but I’d rather live now in the present time,” she said. “It’s just fun to pretend to be a pioneer.”
efranco@vindy.com