Winter winds may be blowing, but now’s the time to plan summer fun for your children or grandchildren. The Greenwich Historical Society’s History and Art Summer Camp, based at Bush-Holley Historic Site, headquarters of the Greenwich Historical Society, is just the ticket. The camp offers a highly interactive, two-week experience designed to utilize the fascinating artifacts and original art in Bush-Holley House, Greenwich’s only National Historic Landmark. As a dual interpretation museum, the house illustrates two distinct time periods in history: first, the new nation era, 1790 to 1825, when a wealthy merchant owned the property, and next, the period from the late 1800s to early 1900s, when it was home to one of America’s earliest art colonies and the cradle of American Impressionism. The site, with so many stories to tell, offers campers a lively and inspiring glimpse of what it was like to live in earlier times.
During the first week, campers focus on Colonial life. Activities may include baking, soap and candle making, weaving, acting and role-playing. During the second week, the emphasis is on art with instruction in painting, pastels, sculpture, origami or photography.
Sessions are fun, challenging and age-appropriate and offer a wide variety of experiences. A field trip and a Friday Parents Day are part of each week’s schedule, and performances cap off each session. The professional staff includes museum educators, working artists, musicians, re-enactors and counselors who have a special interest in art and history. Camp hours are Monday to Friday from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm.
Senior Historians (Grades 4-7) July 5-15, 2016; Junior Historians (Grades 2-4) July 18-29, 2016. Both camp and Bush-Holley Historic Site will be closed on July 4, 2016.
Early-bird registration for current Historical Society members ends April 1, 2016. Registration for all campers closes on June 15, 2016. Discounted family membership ($50) is available with camp registration. Tuition for early-bird registration (ends April 1) is $550 for two-week session, $300 for week of July 5-8 and $350 for all other single-week sessions. Tuition for open registration (closes June 15) is $700 for two-week session, $400 for week of July 5-8, and $450 for all other single-week sessions. A limited number of need-based scholarships are available.
To learn more about the camp and to download a brochure, visit www.greenwichhistory.org or call camp director LoriBeth Talbot at 203-869-6899, Ext. 32.
