For the summer of 2009, adventurous children ages 7 through 13 can experience a day camp that takes them through time and across continents – at the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology on Penn’s campus in Philadelphia.
“Anthropologists in the Making,” organized by the Education Department of the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, runs eight theme-oriented one week sessions from June 22 through August 14.
Children may attend one or more of the weekly-themed programs. This year’s themes are:
Week 1: June 22 – June 26, Furry Friends and Savage Beasts:
Campers explore creatures, from across cultures and throughout time, that humans have come to regard as loyal pets, divine beasts and feared monsters.
Week 2: June 29 – July 2, Ancient Maya Civilization: Journey Down the Chixoy River:
Campers delve into the rituals, art and politics of the ancient Maya who lived along the Chixoy River by exploring the Museum’s special exhibition “Painted Metaphors: Pottery and the Politics of the Ancient Maya.”
Week 3: July 6 – July 10, The Magic, Myths and Mystery of Ancient Egypt:
The Museum’s Egyptian collection is the focus as children discover how magic and mystical items affected Egyptian daily life. Campers enact a play based on Egyptian myths and take part in related arts activities.
Week 4: July 13 – July 17, Can You Dig It?:
Campers unearth artifacts in a mock dig based on the Penn Museum’s excavation work at the important archaeological site of Gordion (site of King Midas!) in present day Turkey. Archaeologists in training dig in, uncover and report their findings.
Week 5: July 20 – July 24, Powerful People: Kings, Caesars, Pharaohs and Shamans:
How important rulers and gods from past civilizations rise to power is the subject as campers explore the symbols of status and ancient artifacts representing power.
Week 6: July 27 – July 31, Game On:
Campers journey through different cultures to discover the history of games then and now, before designing games of their own.
Week 7: August 3 – August 7, Going Green:
Going green, then and now! Campers learn about some of the world’s earliest conservationists and discover how nature has shaped cultural beliefs and ways of life around the globe.
Week 8: August 10 – August 14, Life in the Big City:
Campers are introduced to a few of the world’s first cities and learn about early transportation, sanitation, mass housing, law enforcement, architecture and government. Then they design their own model of a future city! -- www.museum.upenn.edu
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