The nation-wide celebration of America’s 250th anniversary continues in Mexico with hands-on experiences at History Camp.

It was a “chase for liberty” on the Audrain Historical Museum grounds last week as young campers explored the Revolutionary War and Colonial times June 1-5.

Cara Miller, camp director, said it was about time History Camp revisited Colonial America because it hadn’t been done since 2014, and with America’s 250th anniversary, choosing this year’s theme was a “no-brainer.”

Even though History Camp is limited to a younger crowd, 15-year-old Scottie Smith was able to join in the fun this year — but not as a camper. After spending all four years she could at history camp, she decided to return this year as a volunteer. She spent her week leading many of the cooking activities, which she said is the most fun.

“I have four different groups and we just cook all day,” Smith said.

In order to keep the kids engaged, Smith said she likes to let the campers do most of the work, including cutting vegetables with a knife and cooking over the fire. They even do the dishes in the end, but since history camp took place during the Revolutionary War, there were no dishwashers to load — just a couple of rags, a tub of soapy water, a tub of clean water and good, old-fashioned elbow grease.

While the theme changes year to year, Campers always rotate between the same five activities — living history, science, cooking, arts and crafts and guest education. The 64 campers were split into four groups all named after historical figures: Washington, Jefferson, Revere and Lafayette.

Throughout the week, campers lived and breathed Colonial America. They learned about animal fur, fabric dying, the printing press, candle making, and even wrote their own Declaration of Independence.

“I learn something new every day that we’re here,” Miller said. 

For more photos, see The Mexico Ledger’s online photo galleries