YORKTOWN — This summer, kids can learn what it’s like to be an archeologist, boat builder, or even a pirate.
The Watermen’s Museum, 301 Water St., is gearing up for its 2021 Summer Day Camp programs.
This year, the museum is offering five one-week summer day camps – Pirate Camp, Archeology Camp, Boatbuilding Camp, Environmental Explorers Camp and Maritime Trades Camp.
All camps run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, ending with a demonstration on Friday afternoon. This will give children the opportunity to show their parents what they have learned during the week. The Friday afternoon demonstrations will take place at 2 p.m. for the Pirate Camp, and 2:30 p.m. for the rest of the camps.
The cost for the Pirate Camp program is $170, including a $50 non-refundable deposit. The cost for the rest of the camps offered is $180 per camp, including a $50 non-refundable deposit.
Below, you will find more information about each individual camp!
Pirate Camp
The Pirate Camp Program is for grades K-5 and will run for nine weeks, beginning on June 28 and ending on August 27. Pirates-in-training will be divided into four groups based on age and experience.
Children will get to experience life as a colonial pirate, with activities such as Pirate Drills and learning how to set a sail and work a ship while under attack.
The camp attendees will also learn team-building skills and the importance of working together as a crew, with challenges such as treasure hunts and archeological digs.
They will also experience fun activities, like crafts, colonial games and making music.
Boat Building Camp
From July 12 through August 13, rising 3rd-8th graders will learn the basics of boat-building and the various boat types.
Boat Building Camp attendees will learn how to draw full-size boat plans and wield tools to create boat components.
They will even work as a team to assemble a traditional 14-foot wooden Chesapeake Bay rowing skiff.
Archeology Camp
From June 28 through July 30, rising 3rd-8th graders will learn the basics of land and underwater archeology.
Children will learn how shovel tests are used to conduct archeological digs, as well as how to lay out dig site grids.
They will also be able to use a powered underwater drone and camera, watch an aerial drone explore the property and the York River, and dig on the beach area.
Other activities include learning about archeological tools, identifying artifacts and site preservation.
Environmental Explorer Camp
From July 19 through August 20, young environmentalists who are rising 3rd-8th graders will help preserve the Chesapeake Bay resources.
Campers will get to explore the water environment’s animals and plants, measure the water quality and erosion results and study living shorelines and aquaculture.
The children will also be able to analyze the habitats of woodlands, wetlands, dunes and shallow waters on and near the property.
The children will learn about the native plants and how to analyze the water quality and environmental conditions before developing and testing their hypothesis with gathered data.
Maritime Trades Camp
From July 5 through August 6, rising 3rd-8th graders will experience what it was like to sail a ship in the colonial days with rope and sail making, rigging, blacksmithing and more.
The children will get to tour the boatyard and museum, as well as visit the boat shop and learn how boats were designed and maintained.
Activities will include making rope and using it for caulking and other work.
They will also have the opportunity to row a skiff or canoe and learn more about boat safety.
To learn more about the Watermen’s Museum’s Summer Day Camp Program, visit here.
Want to out about more camps available in the Historic Triangle? Check out WYDaily’s free Summer Camp Expo!
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