The activities schedule is being filled in quickly and it promises to be a busy season once again at the Souris Valley Museum on the western outskirts of Estevan.
Mercedes Morstad, who was employed by the museum last season, is returning as the acting museum manager for the start of this year’s program.
She noted that three university students have been hired to help her open and operate the facility located along Highway 39 (south side next to the tourist information centre) for a new spring and summer schedule. The opening is scheduled for this coming Friday, May 15.
“We have Elizabeth Goby, Macey Littlejohn and Katelynn Tedford on board this year and we’ll be hiring a high school summer student who will begin work in July,” said Morstad, who recently completed her arts education degree studies at the University of Regina with an intention of entering the teaching profession.
“I was doing education programming last summer here, so I have a pretty good idea of the process,” she said, noting that all the grant applications had been completed and she was cleaning up details surrounding the upcoming opening.
“We’ve put a hold on artifact intake for awhile, since the museum is at near capacity right now. There will be a pause in that department until the board hires a director/curator. But we do expect to expand the gift shop this year, and the summer camps are being booked right now. In fact, they are filling up fast,” Morstad said.
Pioneer Day Camps are slated throughout the summer with the first one scheduled for July 6 to 10 followed by weekly camps from July 13 to 17, July 27 to 31 and from Aug. 10 to 14. The camps get underway at 1 p.m. each day with registration restricted to 10 to 12 youngsters each week.
There are also two-day Discovery Day Camps filled in for July 23 and 24 and again on Aug. 5 and 6. These full-day experiences begin at 10 a.m. and end at 5 p.m. each day. They include historic tours and field trips, plus activities and crafts that focus on history and science. Those classes for young people between the ages of eight and 12 are restricted to seven or eight participants who will be required to bring packed lunches, water and additional clothing for certain activities.
Registration fees and additional information about the camps are available on the museum’s website.
“These camps are a lot of fun for the kids. They love to go exploring,” said Morstad.
On Friday, for the official opening, the acting manager said that tea and dainties will be offered throughout the day with the food prepared by museum volunteer Linda Jones and will be baked using pioneer recipes.
“The board continues to meet monthly and we’ll be operating as usual throughout the week and we will continue into the fall. The closing is usually determined by the weather,” she said with a smile, noting the museum operates on a seasonal basis with a large pioneer collection, based on the Stan Durr estate’s donation.
“We will have our final big celebration though on Aug. 22. That’s our traditional Pioneer Day here. After that, it’s up to the weather,” she said.
