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, anthropologist Shannon Garard, artist and renowned flintknapper Steve Norman, artist and historical craftsman Brenda Norman, primitive technologist Neal Stilley, rancher Jack Harrington, Eric Burgess, anthropologist Jack Johnson, and musician Nathan Martinez.
Activities
On April 6, 2006, 72 students from the 5th grade at Seco Mines 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.
- 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: Eric Burgess and 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.
After the day's activities at SHUMLA, the students traveled to Seminole Canyon State Park and Historic Site and were taken on tours of Fate Bell Shelter and the Visitors' Center Museum by Dr. Carolyn Boyd, and Jack and Angel Johnson.
Volunteers
Programs at SHUMLA are made possible through the help of our volunteers. This program's volunteers were Eric Burgess, Angel and Jack Johnson (Student Conservation Association interns from the National Park Service), Nathan Martinez, Carolyn Brooks, Steve and Brenda Norman, Joshua Brown, Shannon Garard, Fern Herrington, Al and Nancy Morgan, life science educator Missy Harrington, and Jack Harrington.
Cost
This program was underwritten by a grant to SHUMLA from the Del Rio Bank and Trust, the Brown Foundation, 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. |
