Historical Society Camp Offers Hands-on Interactive Experiences Focused on Cultural Influences

Greenwich Historical Society’s cherished Art & History Camp returns this summer with new programs and experiences for children in grades 2 -8 to enjoy.

With an emphasis on interactive, hands-on activities, children will have fun exploring art and cultural influences that helped to shape the region’s local history.

“The Historical Society camp program provides a stimulating and nurturing environment for learning and new experiences that are fun and life enhancing,” said Lauren Ackerley, Historical Society director of public programs and exhibitions.

“Our goal this year is to demonstrate how interconnected the world was in our country’s early history and how these connections inspired people in their daily lives.”

Students will explore textile arts and experiment with natural dyes using plants and fibers like those imported by David Bush in the 18^th century while living at what is now the National Historic Landmark Bush-Holley House.

They will be introduced to Japanese block prints which were an important source of inspiration for artists of the Cos Cob Art Colony, the first Impressionist art colony in Connecticut, whose members painted and taught at Bush-Holley House in the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries.

These cultural connections will be further enhanced as campers are introduced to Impressionism through the experiences of the Cos Cob Art Colony.

According to renowned painter and camp instructor Dmitri Wright, experimenting with the Impressionist art style is a wonderful way for children to be introduced to art: “Their imagination will be piqued with the freedom to capture a moment in time, and to view life and nature their own way, infused with heart, color and joy.”

For over 30 years, thousands of children in Greenwich and neighboring communities have benefited from Art & History Camp. Parents of participating children say they are energized by the new relationships and experiences they have developed, all of which are overseen by trained counselors who underscore the importance of responsibility, sharing and character development.

“It’s gratifying that many children and their siblings come back year-after-year to our expansive campus for exploring the history and art that make Greenwich unique,” Ackerley said.

Three camp programs are offered:

History Camp

Colonial Connections

July 14–18 | GRADES 2–4 | 9:30 am – 2:30 pm

Campers will dive into the daily lives of people in Colonial Connecticut and explore what life was like in the Bush-Holley House during the 17^th century.
To register: https://greenwichhistory.org/event/colonial-connections/

Art Camp

Artful Adventures

July 21–25 | GRADES 2–4 | 9:30 am – 2:30 pm

During this art-themed week, campers will learn about the legacy of the Cos Cob Art Colony and the artists that lived and created masterpieces at the Bush-Holley House during the 19^th century.

To register: https://greenwichhistory.org/event/artful-adventures/

Art & History Camp

Historical Happenings

July 28–August 1 | Grades 5–8 | 9:30 am – 2:30 pm
Campers will learn about how Americans in the 18^th and 19^th centuries connected with, and were inspired by, the wider world.
To register: https://greenwichhistory.org/event/historical-happenings

Every Friday afternoon between July 18 – August 1 is Family Day when family and friends are invited to the campus from 2:00 – 2:30 pm to see what their campers have created.

Registration deadline is May 30. An early-bird discount of $50 will be granted for registrations by April 11. Camp fees are $400 per week for members; $450 non-members. A sibling discount is offered at  15 percent for each registered sibling.

For more information, visit: Art & History Camp