Shumla School Join Participate Discover Experience Imagine
Home | Site Map | Slide Shows
 
Taking place now
    Click on pictures to enlarge.
 
The music and dance station.
Dr. Carolyn Boyd (right) joins students dancing at the music station.
 
Making stone tools.
Steve Norman (left) demonstrates how stone tools are made.
 
Throwing a spear with an atlatl.
Jack Harrington watches as a student throws a spear using an atlatl.
 
Making cordage.

A student makes cordage using plant fibers.
 
Painting.
Participants take notes while learning to make paint using local ingredients.
 
Friction fire starting.
Neal Stilley (left) discusses technologies used by prehistoric Native Americans who lived in the area.
 
Preparing to use an atlatl.
Jack Harrington (left) helps a student use an atlatl to throw a spear.
 
Making cordage.
Brenda Norman (left) assists in making cordage from plant fiber.
 
Creating rock art.
Students use paint they made to create their own rock art.
 
Making stone tools.
Students learn how stone tools are made.  Steve Norman (left) provides the demonstration.
 

Pecos Day Camp
March 1, 2006


Location
The Pecos Day Camp activities were held on the SHUMLA campus at Shumla Ranch, 50 miles west of Del Rio, Texas.

Instructors
SHUMLA instructors included museum specialist Angel Johnson, artist and renowned flintknapper Steve Norman, artist and historical craftsman Brenda Norman, primitive technologist Neal Stilley, rancher Jack Harrington, anthropologist Jack Johnson, and musician Nathan Martinez.

Activities
On March 1, 2006, 117 students from the 4th grade at Dr. Lonnie Green Elementary in Del Rio, Texas attended a full-day Shumla Foragers Pecos River Kids Day Camp at SHUMLA. Using archeology as a foundation for teaching math and science skills, SHUMLA School provided hands-on opportunities for enhancing classroom lessons. Students were divided into five groups: the Bear Clan, Deer Clan, Ringtail Clan, Wolf Clan and Panther Clan. Upon their arrival at the SHUMLA campus each clan was directed to its first station to begin a rotation of lessons and demonstrations. These stations included:

  • Paint Making Experiment: Angel Johnson led students in a hands-on experiment replicating prehistoric paint making and discussed how prehistoric art was used to communicate information necessary for survival.
  • Music from the Past: Jack Johnson and Nathan Martinez explored the archaeological records of musical instruments in this area with the students. Students learned the science behind sound waves. The students made sound waves of their own using the replicas of ancient instruments in a jam/dance session.
  • May the Force be with You, The Atlatl Advantage:  Jack Harrington directed students in the use of the atlatl for spear throwing and students calculated the distances of the throws.
  • Friction Fire Starting: Neal Stilley used primitive fire starting techniques to teach about energy forms and transfer of energy.
  • Demonstrations: Steve Norman demonstrated flintknapping techniques used by early hunters for students. Brenda Norman showed prehistoric techniques for making cordage, sandals, and baskets.

Volunteers
Programs at SHUMLA are made possible through the help of our volunteers. This program's volunteers were Jodi Wiese and daughter Paige, Angel and Jack Johnson (Student Conservation Association interns from the National Park Service), John Little (National Park Service), Cindy Parker, Cami Cadena, Al and Nancy Morgan, and Jack Harrington.

Cost
This program was underwritten by a grant to SHUMLA from the Del Rio Bank and Trust, the Brown Foundation, and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Community Outreach Program.

Information
For more information contact the education division at education@shumla.org or call the office at
432-292-4848.

 

 

Youth Programs
Overview & Program Goals
Pecos River Kids Curriculum
Pecos River Kids Adventure Camps
Pecos River Kids Day Camps
Pecos Teacher Training Camps
Field Programs
Shumla Adventures
A Typical Day in Shumla Adventures
Past Programs

Relive the Adventures

 
           
© 2003–present, Shumla School, Inc. All rights reserved.   |   PO Box 627, Comstock, TX 78837
Tel: 432-292-4848   |   E-mail: info@shumla.org
Updated: June 19, 2008