History Summer Camps: ‘So You Want to be A Civil War Soldier’

Prince William County Historic Preservation Division offers summer learning and fun in 2016

As the end of the Prince William County school year fast approaches, the Historic Preservation Division is gearing up for Summer Camps at Ben Lomond Historic Site and Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre.

In addition to the popular “Civil War Camp” and “Civil War Advanced Camp,” four new camps are being offered this year. All historic camps can be found in the Summer 2016 Leisure Magazine and registration can be completed online by going to pwcparks.org or by calling 703-792-8320.

The 2016 season kicks off with the “Virginia Heritage Camp” the week of June 20th at Brentsville Courthouse. This all-day camp is from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and covers a broad range of Virginia history from Native American life through the 20th Century. Participants will experience life in Virginia through history as they participate in a number of hands-on activities and crafts such as candle dipping and churning butter. The life of a soldier will be explored from Colonial times through the Civil War as campers drill with soldiers and prepare campaign rations over a fire. The cost of this camp is $250.00 per participant for the week. Campers will need to pack two snacks and lunch daily.

“Civil War Basic Camp” will be held at Brentsville Courthouse from July 18th through the 22nd. This camp is conducted from 9 a.m. noon. and is geared toward children aged 8 to 12. Children participate in activities designed to develop a better understanding of soldier life during the American Civil War. Activities include enlisting in Virginia’s Army, life in camp, Infantry drill, “Did Civil War Soldiers really eat that stuff?”, Civil War Medicine, and a field trip to Manassas Battlefield Park. The cost is $130 per person.

“On the Home Front” is to be held at Brentsville Courthouse the week of July 25th from 9a.m. to noon. From 1861 to 1865, our nation was at war with itself. Many men were away fighting while civilian populations tried to maintain as much normalcy as possible. This camp will give both girls and boys aged 8 to 12 a unique opportunity to participate in many of the activities that civilians would have done on a day to day basis. Activities include 19th Century fishing, early games, kite building and flying weather permitting, needle work, a day on the farm, fashions, and a Friday picnic on the grounds. The cost is $150 per person.

“Civil War Advanced Camp,” at Brentsville Courthouse the week of August 8 from 9 a.m. to noon picks up where the Basic Camp left off. Children will participate in activities built on the fundamentals learned during the Basic Camp. Participants will drill their peers, learn artillery drill, explore officer and noncommissioned officer responsibilities, spend time with General R.E. Lee and take a field trip to Manassas National Battlefield Park. Participants who wish to take this camp should strongly consider taking the Civil War Basic Camp first. The camp is opened to participants aged 8 to 13. The cost per camper is $150.

“History Explorer Camp” will be held at Ben Lomond August 15 through the 19 for children aged 8 to 12. This is an all day camp from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Participants will travel to a different county historic site each day and learn local history through a series of hands on activities. Monday is Rippon Lodge, Tuesday Barnes House and Lucasville School, Wednesday, Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre, Thursday, Ben Lomond Historic Site, and Friday, Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park. The cost per person for this day-long camp is $300. Campers will need to pack two snacks and lunch daily.

“So You Want to be A Civil War Soldier Camp” is designed to give participants an opportunity to use the skill learned during the Civil War Basic and Advanced Camp. This is an overnight camp for young folks aged 13 to 16 and a parent. The camp is to be held August 19 through the 21 at Brentsville Courthouse. Participants will enlist, learn how to set a camp, drill, set pickets, prepare meals using issued rations, go through camp inspections and operate camp like a soldier of 1861-1865 would have. Campers will report for enlistment at 4 p.m. on Friday, August 19 and will be released at noon on Sunday, August 21. The cost of this camp is $300 per parent and child. Additional children will be charged $100 extra.

Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre is located at 12229 Bristow Road, Bristow, Virginia 20136 and Ben Lomond Historic Site is located at 10321 Sudley Manor Drive, Manassas, Virginia 20109. For additional information on the camps contact David M. Born, Historic Programs Coordinator at 703.792.5618 or online at [email protected] . All camps require registration and can be achieved by calling 703-792.8320, or online at pwcparks.org.