Pecos Day Camp
April 4, 2007

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 SHUMLA Executive Assistant Angel Johnson, anthropologist Shannon Garard, artist and renowned flintknapper Steve Norman, artist and historical craftsman Brenda Norman, primitive technologist Neal Stilley, rancher Jack Harrington, SHUMLA Education Coordinator Craig Hensley and SHUMLA Curriculum Director Missy Harrington.

Activities
On April 4, 2007, 66 students from the 5^th grade at Benavides Heights Elementary in Eagle Pass, Texas attended a Shumla Survivors Pecos River Kids Day Camp at SHUMLA. Using archeology as a foundation for teaching math and science skills, SHUMLA 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 and Shannon Garard led students in a hands-on experiment replicating prehistoric paint making and discussed how prehistoric art was used to communicate information necessary for survival.
• 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.
• Adaptation—Nature Walk: Craig Hensley and Missy Harrington led students on hikes to identify native plants and their adaptations to desert life.
• Friction Fire Starting: Neal Stilley used primitive fire starting techniques to teach about energy forms and transfer of energy.
• Primitive Technology: 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 Nyta Hensley, Joe Johnson, Wilma Teague, Wanda Matlarocci, Robbie Dudley, and Linda Foltzenlogel.

Cost
This program was underwritten by a grant to SHUMLA from McDonalds, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Community Outreach Program and an anonymous donor.

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

Evaluation comments from students:

"Today was the best school day I had ever had because I learned new knowledge and remembered what I had learned."

"Today was the funnest day ever and I will never forget it because I learned lots of things."

"Today was an awesome experience because we got to learn how nomads lived."

"Today was my best day ever because I had lots of fun and I got to see a fire and do a rock art."

Teachers' comments:

Q: Was today a good learning experience for your students?

"Awesome hands-on experiences."

"I feel they were super excited with EVERY station."

Q: Did today's activities connect with or enrich your classroom curriculum?

"The atlatl advantage station with conversions and formulas related with everyday math problems."

"It gave the students a chance to use what they had learned in class."

Q: What was the best part of today's activities?

"The reaction on their faces said it all. All your info was amazing."

"To see students' faces making connections."

Q: How can we improve this experience?

"I cannot think of any improvements at this time. This is my third year coming here and it's great."

Q: Would you recommend this program to others?