Name: All Ages History Camp 2025
Start: 2025-02-01T10:00:00-05:00
End: 2025-02-01T14:45:00-05:00
Location: The Castle Museum

Defining America 1940 - 1960s
About this Event

In just one day, explore the events of 1940 – 1960 including the difficulties of WWII and the movements, change, and scientific breakthroughs marking the 1950s and 1960s. Whether you are ten, thirty, fifty…or beyond, this fun educational experience is one you won’t want to miss.

A morning and an afternoon session are available, each offering different content and activities. You can sign up for both at a discounted rate. The morning session includes three classes about the impact of WWII to U.S. soldiers and civilians on the homefront. The afternoon session offers three classes about movements, culture, and scientific breakthroughs of the 1950s. In each session, attendees will rotate through all three activities offered.

The featured activities expand on selected favorites from the previous summer’s History Camp for 3rd- 6th graders. This camp is designed to interest all ages and for cross generational learning experiences!

Morning Session: 10am - 11:45am “The U.S. Enters WWII”

Afternoon Session: 1pm - 2:45pm “1950s & 1960s Lifestyle & Change”

This event is for all ages. Families, friend groups, and all are welcome. Our content will be structured for ages 10 and above.
Reservations required by Tues., Jan. 28. Space is limited.
Limited group sizes.

Registration:

Members: $25/session; $45/both sessions

Non-Members: $30/session; $55/both sessions

Member Discount Codes:

Single Session Member Discount use Promo Code: HCMEMBER

Both Session Member Discount use Promo Code: 2HCMEMBER

Here’s what you need to know:

Non-registered parents/guardians may drop off their camper at the museum and pick them up at the conclusion of the session. If you intend to stay with your camper as a chaperone, you are required to register and pay as a participant. Cross-generational participation and family group attendance is encouraged. This negates the need to attend as a non-participating chaperone.
48 hours notice is required for refunds.

Reservations required by Tues., Jan. 28. Space is limited.

Continue further down this page for a listing of the classes offered. Please check back for more information and resources.

Morning Session - The U.S. Enters WWII

10am - 11:45am (Arrive by 9:50am)

ACTIVITY

Japanese Interment: Looking Like The Enemy

During WWII some Americans were treated differently because of their ancestry. This hands-on activity will highlight difficult decisions families had to make prior to leaving their homes and being forced into interment camps. Campers will help the family decide what to take with them and how to arrange their allotted living space in a horse stable. We will share one family's story and other Mid-Ohio Valley connections to these camps.

PROVIDER

Jerrie Berentz - The Castle; Scott Britton - Executive Director, The Castle

Scott Britton is a graduate of Penn State University and is the Executive Director of The Castle Museum. He is a frequent speaker and cemetery tour guide on a wide variety of military history topics, including World War II. Scott has also compiled Washington County military veteran databases, digitization projects, photos, and veteran stories to assist local researchers in addition to his presentations and tours.

Jerrie is retired from the Marietta City Schools where she served for many years as an elementary guidance counselor. From the time she was very young I have loved sewing and fabric arts especially making cloth dolls. Jerrie has been associated with the Castle since 2016 where she serves as a docent, volunteer liaison, and works on curatorial inventory. Jerrie's sister-in-law, Ellen (Takahashi) Oyster, was a child who lived in two Japanese interment camps during World War II.

ACTIVITY

The WWII Soldier

In this activity, campers will learn about the American soldier and their service in WWII. On display will be reproduction uniforms and equipment commonly used in military service.

PROVIDER

Sergeant First Class Joshua Mann - Historian, Ohio Army National Guard

Sergeant Mann is the Historian for the Ohio Army National Guard (OHARNG), a position he has held since 2005. In addition, he serves as the curator of the OHARNG Historical Collections. He enlisted in 1995 and served in the Scout Platoon of the 1st Battalion, 148th Infantry before assuming his present assignment. He was a member of the Ohio World War I Centennial Committee, the Ohio War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission, and a working group member of the Ohio Civil War 150 Commission.

ACTIVITY

War in the Kitchen: Cooking with Rationing

For the first time in U.S. history, food rationing was imposed on all U.S. citizens to aid the war effort. Through a complex system of ration cards and propaganda, the government pushed its citizens to reduce waste, buy smart, grow your own, stretch ingredients, and substitute when needed. We’ll take these principles and apply them to a cooking activity which demonstrates reducing waste in the kitchen.

PROVIDER

Kyle Yoho – Education Director, The Castle

Kyle has served as the Education Director for The Castle since 2015 and is an Adjunct Professor of Museum Studies and Food History for Marietta College. He received his BA in History from Marietta College and MA in Public History from Wright State University. Kyle has planned museum public programs for all ages for over 15 years. One of his favorite areas of historical research is food history! He’s taught classes, written recipes, catered meals, and worked with local chefs, foodies, and museums like The Henry Ford to bring interesting food history to life.

Afternoon Session - 1950s & 1960s Lifestyle & Change

1pm - 2:45pm (Arrive by 12:50pm)

ACTIVITY

Plastics: The Good, the Bad (and the Ugly?)

Plastics are a type of polymers and they are all around us! This session will explore their rise in importance, how they are formed, why we need them (or do we?), and today's concerns about their abundance. The session will conclude with the making of a polymer!

PROVIDER

Dr. Bob Walker - Ret., Marietta College

Dr. Walker is a graduate of Hiram College and Purdue University and has a PhD in Biochemistry. He taught chemistry at Marietta College for 37 years. In retirement, he enjoys reading, traveling and volunteering at The Castle.

ACTIVITY

Hanging Out at the Soda Fountain

In this hands-on cooking activity, campers will have the chance to make and sample popular soda fountain drinks. We’ll explore the popularity of soda fountains, malt shops, and diners - especially among teens in the 1950s.

PROVIDER

Kyle Yoho – Education Director, The Castle

ACTIVITY

Redtails and Ribbons: Military Roles for Women of Color

It is estimated 4 out of every 10 enlisted personnel worked in non-combat administration, support, or manual labor roles in World War II. Women also assumed some of these roles in the various military branches for the first time. Through this activity, All Ages History campers will learn the story of one of these local veterans, Eloise (Burke) White, and her duty on a segregated air base in Kentucky. Serving as a clerk typist for General Davis, commander of the Tuskegee Airmen (aka Redtails), campers will recreate some of her training activities (typing, shorthand, and other tasks) to support the war. We will also discuss the additional challenges Eloise, as well as women and people of color like her, overcame to serve their country in its hour of peril, through the Civil Rights Movement, and beyond.

PROVIDERS

Scott Britton - Executive Director, The Castle