Connecting inquisitive kids to fascinating history is one of the most rewarding aspects of Tara McCauley’s job.
And what better venue to explore those possibilities than the local museum?
“I love spending a full week with kids and sharing our mutual interests in history, museum work, archeology, researching, exhibit building and so on,” said McCauley, while escorting her group of young students through the displays at the White River Valley Museum.
“The kids are great and fun,” she said. “We have a brilliant group.”
McCauley, the museum’s curator of education, helped conduct a weeklong Junior Curators’ Summer Camp, a program that allows young minds to search, study and understand specific artifacts and examine the interesting stories behind them.
At camp, students explored the museum’s collections with hands-on artifact investigation, art projects, conversation experiments, games and other activities.
Kids composed and maintained a field book, detailing their favorite exhibit or object with written or drawn responses. They also created time capsules and took part in other crafts.
“They have a youthful energy,” said Patricia Cosgrove, museum director. “They are scholars. They chose it over soccer and theater camps. … I adore their perspective (on the museum and history).”
The camp concluded with a kid-created exhibit and reception.
Students were greeted by guest presentations. Even snack time came with a purpose. Students discovered apple coring, how to make ice cream and produce butter with honey and crackers.
Many of the students were in their second or third summer with the camp.
“I love the program,” said Autumn McCullough, 12. “I want to go over the camp again and again until I become too old for it.”
By closely connecting students with artifacts, they better see, feel and appreciate the experience, which accelerates the learning process, McCauley said. Essentially, the camp taught students how to be caretakers of public treasures.
“And this is not just scholastic,” McCauley said, “it also is fun. They get to do fun stuff.”
