Week 1: Appalachian Quilting
July 8 – Quilt Storytelling Campers will explore the tradition of storytelling through quilts and learn how fabric can hold memories, history, and meaning. Each child will design a quilt square that reflects their own story, inspired by the day’s activities. Together, the group will help create a collaborative camp quilt—complete with hand-drawn blocks and tied stitching, just like generations before them.
July 10 – Map to Freedom Campers will explore how maps have changed over time, from paper roadmaps to the natural landmarks used by early pioneers. They’ll create their own nature-based maps and test each other’s directions. Then, through the story Quilt to Freedom, they’ll learn how coded quilts were used to guide those seeking freedom on the Underground Railroad.
Other weeks:
Week 2: Appalachian Storytelling
July 15 – Voices of the Mountains: Part 1 Campers will explore the rich tradition of Appalachian storytelling through both oral and written history—crafting their own Jack Tales and fairy tales, then bringing them to life with handmade sock puppets and plenty of imagination.
July 17 – Voices of the Mountains: Part 2 Building on oral tradition, campers will craft their own written stories—complete with characters, settings, and plot twists! This session encourages creativity, reflection, and turning memories into mountain stories.
Week 3: Farm Life
July 22 – Life on the Farm: What’s it really like to live on a farm? Campers will meet animals, explore traditional farm chores, and try their hand at some traditional skills that kept Appalachian families going.
July 24 – Shear Magic From sheep to shawl! Campers will learn about sheep shearing, feel raw wool, and learn how it would have been used and transformed into useful goods.
Learn more and sign up in advance by visiting PioneerLife.org.
