MEEKER I Rio Blanco County Historical Society partnered with ERBM Recreation and Park District to provide Meeker children an opportunity to discover history in their own backyard.
History Camp was conducted each Thursday in June with approximately 15 youths in attendance each week.
Themes included: A historic walking tour ending with an “old fashioned” treat at Meeker Drug; cowboy/ranching stories from the past with each child receiving a homemade rope, bandana and beef jerky – and discovering each of their uses; school days with the children learning about one-room schoolhouses and the books and teaching resources from that era, along with old games like Chinese checkers, jacks and pick-up sticks; and old-fashioned kitchen with hands-on bread making and butter churning with the enjoyment of eating it.
The camp included touring exhibits in the White River Museum that applied to that particular week’s topic. Questions and answers were a part of the sessions.
Major helpers were Kristen Battige and Tia McKee of the Recreation Center staff, who were involved each week in the learning fun, and historical society volunteers Martha Cole, Sue Hicken, Kay Bevins, Phyllis Lake, Janet Clark, Elaine Jordan, Sparky Pappas, Ann Turner and Hallie Blunt.
The RBCHS hopes to continue this tradition next summer,