Grades 3-5    Indiana History

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What was it like to be a pioneer in the early 1800's?

You can learn some things about it from books and pictures, but if you really want it to “come alive”, you need to experience it. Christmas in the Colonies, much like our Pioneer Heritage program is designed to give the students a “hands-on” feeling of what it was like to be a pioneer in Indiana’s early history.

With fires and lanterns lit inside log cabins, making quilt squares, Christmas cookies, button zingers and corn husk dolls; dipping candles; caring for animals; attending a pioneer schoolhouse; learning to communicate with the Native Americans using sign language; setting trap lines; and hunting for food are the kinds of things that every student gets the chance to experience at our pioneer settlement.

As well as the educational aspect to the trip, the students are also treated to a tractor/wagon ride around the staff housing on camp, to sing Christmas carols to the families, before a fun campfire program and hot chocolate before bed.

Through participation in the Christmas in the Colonies program, the pioneers’ life in Indiana becomes a “hands-on” reality for each student.

Understanding our past, appreciating the present, and expanding our vision for the future, this is what Camp Tecumseh’s Christmas in the Colonies program is all about.

We can also provide this experience during the non-Christmas months. During these times (January and February) we call this program Winter in the Settlement.

Click here to see a sample schedule for Christmas in the Colonies (in PDF format).

See the Indiana State Curriculum Standards Met in the Christmas in the Colonies Program (in PDF format).