Location
The Pecos Day Camp activities were held on the SHUMLA campus and on the Shumla Ranch, 50 miles west of Del Rio, Texas.
Instructors
SHUMLA instructors included artist/archeologist
Dr. Carolyn Boyd, museum specialist Angel Johnson, outdoor education specialist Neal Stilley, life science educator Missy Harrington, heritage educator McKinney Briske, artist and renowned flintknapper Steve Norman, artist and historical craftsman Brenda Norman, and anthropologist Jack Johnson.
Activities
On September 14th, 2005, approximately 125 fifth grade students and their teachers from Garfield Elementary, Del Rio, Texas (San Felipe Independent School District) attended a full-day 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 six groups: the Bear Clan, Deer Clan, Hawk Clan, Wolf Clan, Ringtail Clan, and Panther Clan. Upon their arrival at the SHUMLA campus each clan was directed to its first station and began a rotation of lessons and demonstrations. These stations included:
- Paint Making Experiment: Dr. Carolyn Boyd, Angel Johnson, and Jack 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.
- Stone Tools, Fiber Industries: Steve Norman demonstrated for students flintknapping techniques used by early hunters.
Brenda Norman showed prehistoric techniques for making cordage, sandals, and baskets.
- May the Force be with You, The Atlatl Advantage: Jack Harrington, assisted by Al Morgan, guided students in throwing spears using an atlatl. The students then used their math skills to calculate the distances of their throws.
- 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.
- Lifeways: McKinney Briske worked with students to compare their lives with archaic peoples living in Hinds Cave northwest of Comstock, Texas. The students made hands-on analysis of replica artifacts in order to enhance their comparison.
Volunteers
Programs at SHUMLA are made possible through the help of our volunteers. This program's volunteers included Bud Fackelman, Angel and Jack Johnson, Al and Nancy Morgan, Jack Harrington, and Terry Burgess.
Cost
This program was underwritten by grants to SHUMLA from the the Brown Foundation, the Westex Bancorp, 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. |
