History Camps in Champaign Forests

Historical Mythbusters

Choose one date/location:

• June 23 @ Lake of the Woods | Register here
• June 24 @ Homer Lake Forest Preserve | Register here
• June 25 @ Middle Fork River Forest Preserve | Register here

Time: 10 AM-11:30 AM
Age: 13-15 years
Fee: $10

Questions: 217-586-2612, [email protected] 

This program will prompt campers to investigate a series of popular local myths throughout history. From bigfoot to local hauntings and UFO sightings, we will learn about myths, how they originate, and how to challenge them. Working in groups, campers will be tasked with proving or disproving a claim through a series of activities engaging in critical thinking and scientific research skills. 

Historical Roots - County Kids

Dates/Location:

Tuesdays, July 7, 14, 21, 28 @ Museum of the Grand Prairie, Lake of the Woods | Register here

OR

Thursdays, July 9, 16, 23, 30 @ Salt Fork Center, Homer Lake | Register here

Time: 10 AM - 12 PM
Ages: 6-12 years
Location: Tuesday at Museum of the Grand Prairie, Lake of the Woods; Thursday at Salt Fork 
Fee: $40

Questions: 217-586-2612, [email protected] 

This summer, campers will explore the history of Champaign County through the eyes of kids from the past and present. Over four weeks, campers will travel through time to learn how children across generations lived, played, and had fun. Each week includes hands-on activities, movement-based learning, and creative projects. 

Week 1: Early Kids of Champaign County

Campers will step into the lives of the earliest people of Champaign County and explore what childhood looked like long ago. Campers will learn how early communities lived, traveled, and played, and gain an understanding of daily life in the past.

Week 2: Kids Before the 21st Century

Campers will explore what life was like for kids growing up in Champaign County before the 21st century. By stepping into the past, campers will discover how children spent their days helping with chores, playing games, and finding fun in everyday life.  

Week 3: Kids of Today

This week is all about today’s kids! Campers will explore their own lives in Champaign County and discover how everyday moments become part of history. 

Week 4: All Together

This week is all about bringing it all together! Campers will jump across time to explore how kids from long ago, not-so-long ago, and today are connected through games, stories, and everyday fun. Campers will celebrate all the generations of kids who make Champaign County what it is and see how they’re part of that story too. 

Historical Roots - Experimental Archaeology

Register here

Dates/Location: 

Wednesdays, July 8, 15, 22, 29 @ Museum of the Grand Prairie, Lake of the Woods

Time: 10 AM - 12 PM
Ages: 13-15 years
Fee: $40

Questions: 217-586-2612, [email protected] 

This hands-on program will guide campers through creating a variety of their own artifacts using materials and techniques known from early peoples of Illinois. Over four weeks, campers will use scientific methods to learn about local natural resources and how they were used to make everyday items such as tools, ceramics, and inks.  

Week 1: Recording History

Campers will learn about different methods of sharing historical information both by early Native American people and European Settlers. Using natural resources to create various inks and paints, campers will learn how each is processed and used. 

Week 2: Tool Making 

Campers will learn about different local materials used to make a wide variety of everyday tools. Resourcefulness and inventiveness of early people will be highlighted as campers learn to create and problem-solve using materials found around them.  

Week 3: Ceramics

Campers will learn about the different styles and materials found in ancient Illinois history as well as contemporary Native artists. Throughout the day, campers will have the chance to create their own ceramic vessels.  

Week 4: All Together

Campers will put what they’ve learned together through a final set of activities demonstrating the many forms of evidence which tell us about our region’s history.