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Paint station.
Angel Johnson (right) discusses how paint can be manufactured from ingredients found in nature.
 
Stereoscopes.
Missy Harrington (left) looks on as students make observations using stereoscopes.  The students examined plant and animal specimens.
 
Friction fire starting.
Neal Stilley (back right) demonstrates friction fire starting, one of the primitive technologies he discusses.
 
Dancing.

Students dance and play musical instruments, accompanied by Jack Johnson (red shirt) and Nathan Martinez (brown shirt).
 
Making cordage.
Brenda Norman discusses cordage, baskets, mats, all types of objects made from plant fibers.
 
Painting rocks.
Participants create their own rock art with paint they made.
 
Learning about prehistoric tools.
Steve Norman (center) discusses Native American tools, how they are manufactured and used.
 
Examining plants.
Students examine plants with stereoscopes and answer questions about their observations.
 
Music station.
Which musical instrument do you want to play?
 
Friction fire starting.
To the students delight, Neal Stilley (right) successfully starts a fire using friction.
 

Pecos Day Camp
April 7, 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 included museum specialist Angel Johnson, anthropologist Shannon Garard, artist and renowned flintknapper Steve Norman, artist and historical craftsman Brenda Norman, primitive technologist Neal Stilley, life science educator Missy Harrington, anthropologist Jack Johnson, and musician Nathan Martinez.

Activities
On April 7, 2006, 60 students from the 4th grade at Lamar 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 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: Shannon Garard and 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.
  • The Adaptation Station: Missy Harrington instructed students about the nature of plant and animal adaptations. Students were able to analyze different materials, including an attention grabbing coprolite, underneath stereoscopes.
  • 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 Kathleen Burgess, Angel and Jack Johnson (Student Conservation Association interns from the National Park Service), Carolyn Brooks, Joshua Brown, Letty Sanchez, Shannon Garard, 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

 
           
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Tel: 432-292-4848   |   E-mail: info@shumla.org
Updated: June 19, 2008