Campers explore Mill Creek’s history

By SHAIYLA HAKEEM

shakeem@vindy.com

School books were not required for the hands-on history lessons that were taught at Mill Creek MetroPark’s summer adventure camp.

The Ford Nature Center hosted Park Explorers June 7-8 for students entering the fourth and fifth grades. Eighteen kids from the surrounding area enrolled for the two-day educational camp that involved hikes, games, history and crafts.

The first activity the campers completed was decorating walking sticks that they used during their hikes. They used Native American symbols as decoration and continued to add to their staff’s collage throughout the camp with symbols representing what they learned.

MetroPark’s Bob Coggeshall was one of the naturalist working with the students during the camp. His goal was to enlighten the campers on the challenges that Ohio’s pioneers faced while introducing them to the historical value of the park.

“We want them to appreciate the park and all it has to offer,” said Coggeshall.

Many of the campers participated in other adventure camps prior to Park Explorers. This was the third year Beverly Sipp, of Canfield, has participated in the park’s camps. She keeps coming back because she enjoys the exercise of the hikes, the park’s natural beauty and the history lessons.

“I have learned a lot about historic places,” Sipp said. “We’ll will be learning about the Old Log Cabin soon and I’m really excited.

The Old Log Cabin was built in 1814 and is the second oldest building in the Mahoning County. Park Explorers had the opportunity to eat lunch in the historic landmark before taking a boat ride down Lake Glacier.

Games were used as a fun way teach kids about wildflowers and how important they were for early Ohio pioneers. A scavenger hunt made campers focus on what wildflowers look like and the medical purposes they were used for.

“Dandelions were used to treat indigestion,” Coggeshall said. “Early settlers didn’t have the type of medicine we have today.”

The Ford Nature Center hosts adventure camps throughout the summer. The sessions are age specific and deal with topics appropriate for that grade level. The next camp, Kinder Kritters, will be for students entering kindergarten. It begins Aug. 4 and ends Aug. 5. For information, contact the Ford Nature Center at 330-740-7107.

Regardless of age, naturalists say there is always something new that can be learned from visiting the park. It not only houses wildlife, lakes and greenery, it holds a piece of Mahoning Valley’s heritage.

“Overall, I think it makes the kids more observant of their surroundings and more appreciative of Mahoning Valley’s history,” Coggeshall said.