The Rowan Museum is offering its 17th annual Summer History Camp for students in rising third through fifth grades (elementary sessions), and rising sixth through eighth grades (middle school sessions).

Hands-on activities during these weeks will provide a stimulating, educational and fun experience in celebrating the rich heritage of Rowan County.

The camp location will involve all museum sites, as well as a visit to the Old English Cemetery, Freedman’s Cemetery and many other local historic sites. Campers will participate in activities including book making, journal keeping, quill writing; cemetery search and tombstone rubbings; local lore and ghost stories; tin punch; weaving fabric and rugs; old tools, antiques and artifacts use and recognition; candle dipping; outdoor cooking and butter making; gardening and many other activities, as well as early children’s games and folk music.

Middle school students will be involved in many advanced activities stemming from those mentioned above, including making gourd bird houses, basket weaving and studying period clothing, historical interpretation, an evening “lanterned” trip to the Old Lutheran Cemetery and a scavenger hunt. Middle school camp will also include one overnight stay at the museum.

The camp will be staffed by museum personnel, local history teachers and local college history students.

Refreshments will be provided mid-morning, and campers should bring their lunch every day. Camp hours are 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.

The museum will also have its fourth Civil War camp for middle school students. This is a five-day camp in which campers will be mustered into the Union and Confederate troops, study the history of the war, especially local history, and relive the life of a soldier through 19th century life skills, cooking and medicine, as well as marches, drills, military maneuvers and much more. Refreshments will be provided throughout the day. Campers should bring their lunch every day. Camp hours are 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Elementary session I is June 22–26 and the second session is Aug. 10-14. These sessions are designed for rising third- through fifth-graders, and are $130 for museum members and $150 for non-members.

The Colonial Middle School session is July 27-31 and includes one overnight stay. The camp is designed for rising sixth- through eighth-graders, and is $140 for museum members and $160 for non-members.

The Civil War Middle School session is June 13-17. Also for rising sixth- through eighth-graders, this session does not include an overnight stay. The cost is $130 for museum members and $150 for non-members.

For more information and to request an application, call the museum office at 704-633-5946 or email tdcreel@fibrant.com