Children from the Energy City got a taste of life like it was in the good old days, earlier this week. The Souris Valley Museum held its Pioneer Day Camp on July 4. The event, running through July, teaches children about the early historical roots of Estevan, referencing the historical information and exhibits at the Souris Valley Museum, including a tour of the facility, incorporating lessons in Estevan’s heritage into educational games and activities.
“We have this camp about four times throughout the summer. It educates children on the pioneers, and life 100 years ago. The museum tour is a big part of it, so they understand the activities,” said Macey Littlejohn, an educational assistant with the Souris Valley Museum.
Littlejohn noted that all the children in attendance were showing a great deal of engagement in all the activities, from the tour of the museum, including the equipment, homestead and school house, to the construction of crafts and participation in old-fashioned pioneer games.
Pioneer games entailed a number of simple, old-fashioned classic children’s games that kept participants active, including sack races, three-legged races and other games that didn’t require a whole lot of equipment, and were fun and engaging to the children involved.
“Normally, there are about 13 kids, but it dwindled to five this time, because of the long weekend,” said Littlejohn, taking a quick break from organizing the high-energy pioneer games that took place in the afternoon, just outside the museum. “It’s a nice change to start small, with five kids participating. I like to see the kids getting as interested, as they are, today.
“It’s important to make learning this kind of thing fun for them. If you can deliver the history in a fun, exciting setting, it helps the children a whole lot.”
