Special to the DCNT
The Community Foundation of Dickinson County has contributed funding to the Dickinson County Heritage Center to cover the cost of 15 scholarships to the center’s annual Pioneer Camp. Eligible children are first-time campers who attend school in Dickinson County.
Pioneer Camp is an educational day camp for students who have completed first through fifth grade by June 1.
Campers experience life as a pioneer child from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday thru Friday. They feed and water chickens, help prepare food for lunch, create a one-of-a-kind craft, attend a one-room school, and learn how the pioneers homesteaded when they first arrived in Dickinson County.
One day during the week, they travel to an unbroken prairie to see and learn about the plants that are native to Kansas. They also discover how sheep are sheered, how to make butter, and more about the daily life of a pioneer family including other chores and games.
The camp ends with family members coming to celebrate the experience with their campers from 12:30 to
1 p.m. on Friday. Pioneer Camp sessions this year are June 6 through 10 and June 13 through June 17.
For a scholarship application call the Heritage Center at 785-263-2681. People will need to provide the parent’s name, camper’s name, mailing address and phone number. A scholarship application will be mailed. The deadline for the return of applications is March 15.
For children who are interested in attending Pioneer Camp but not eligible for this scholarship, call the Heritage Center, providing the same information and the child will be placed on a list with further information to be mailed in April.