All good things come to an end

It has been many years now that I have been scheduling the Hands On History program here in southwestern Ohio, but this will be the last year.  Between increased travel costs for schools and presenters, schools no longer taking field trips and my own increased travel schedule throughout the year, it is no longer feasible for me to continue putting on this program.

Tomorrow and Friday, May 9 and 11, 2012 are our final home school days.  If you haven't registered please feel free to do so asap, or take the chance and just come.  We will begin at 9:30 am each day, so please arrive in plenty of time to park, check in and so on before the program starts.

Hands On History - Militia

On the Ohio frontier, every citizen shared the responsibilities for the welfare and safety of the community. Robert Neidlinger, a Militia Captain, demonstrates the duties, arms, and equipment of the citizen soldier in 18^th century Ohio, explains the dangers and inconveniences of militia calls to the families of the hastily called soldiers, and starts the training of the students in a drill of the time.

Hands On History 2012 Dates

Dates for 2012 have been approved.  We have 2 Home School Days next year, Wednesday, May 9 and Friday, May 11, 2012.  Monday, May 14 and Tuesday, May 15 are available for public and private school groups.  Please contact me privately or leave a comment with your contact info so I can contact you directly.  As always, private information will not be published.

New Page on Facebook - Hands On History

I've got a lot to learn about using Facebook. However, it occurred to me that having a page for the Hands On History program might make it easier for people to keep in touch about it, especially our home school families and groups. I've made a page here. Please Like our page. Also, if you have photos you'd like to share, please post them.

Directions from the Cincinnati/Lebanon area

Here are some directions from the Cincinnati area to help you get to Quaker Knoll with as few problems as possible.

Take I-71 North to Exit 36, Wilmington Road. This is the Fort Ancient exit.
Go east (right) on Wilmington Road towards Olive Branch Campground (on the south/right side of the road.
Go 3.1 miles past Olive Branch Campground to North Clarksville Road/Co Rd 37. Note that North Clarksville Road is one of those split country roads, so you will first pass northbound North Clarksville Road on the left, the next road to the right is North Clarksville Road southbound.
Go south (right) onto North Clarksville Road for 2.7 miles. You will cross Rt 22/3 at a stop sign and continue into Clarksville.
North Clarksville Road ends at OH 350 next to a feed mill on your left. Go east (left) onto 350 East through Clarksville.
Go 3.5 miles on 350 E then take a slight left onto 730 North towards Wilmington.
Go 2.1 miles on 730 N to the second road to the right. The first road is an entrance to Cowan Lake. The second road is Sprague Road. You can only go Right on Sprague Road. There will be a sign for the Quaker Knoll Church Camp.
Go 1/2 mile on Sprague Road to come to the driveway for the camp. There is a sign. The driveway is shared by a few homes. Just continue on and the lane will end at the Quaker Knoll lodge.

Hands On History - Town Meeting

Participate in the first town meeting after the constitution was ratified. Our town must decide one of the many decisions of how we will govern ourselves in our new country. This class contrasts the new U.S. government with the Colonial government system.

Hands On History at Quaker Knoll Camp May 11-13 and 16-18, 2011

We are now accepting reservations for May 11-13 and 16-18, 2011.

Hands On History - Sawing

Students participate in sawing a log with a two man crosscut saw. The focus is on the work within the capabilities of young people in constructing homesteads on the Ohio frontier.

Hands On History - Coopering

A look at the role of apprentices in the trades of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries with a focus on the cooper, a maker of buckets and barrels. In this class the students will get a look at the necessity of wooden containers, and how they are made along with the progression of young people into the trades. A hands-on element is included.

Home School Day - Thursday, May 13, 2010 - It's Official!

We are now taking reservations for Thursday, May 13, 2010, Home School Day, Hands On History at Quaker Knoll Camp. Join us and the Four Kings, the oxen, for a day learning about early Ohio life.

Home School Day - Thursday, May 13, 2010

We have not had any home school groups select a day this year, so we are offering Thursday, May 13, as Home School Day. Please contact me ASAP to schedule your family or group.

Hands On History dates May 12-14 , 17-19, 2010

We are now accepting reservations for May 12-14 and 17-19, 2010.

Home School Day 2009

Home School Day will be Monday, May 18, 2009 at Quaker Knoll. If you or your home school group is interested in joining us, we are ready to take additional reservations.

Spring 2009 Program - May 13-15, 18-20

Our 2009 program runs May 13-15, 18-20, 2009. We are not planning a fall program but will consider doing one if there is enough interest.

The program takes about 4 hours, running from 9:00 or 9:30 AM until about 2:00 PM, or as your busing schedule permits. Admission is $5.00, with two adults free per 25 students. Home school families and groups are most welcome.

Frontier Resources in the News

On Tuesday we had a visit from Wilmington News Journal reporter Brandon Smith who wrote this article. Unfortunately the photo in his article is mis-labeled. It actually shows Maria Hummel with the oxen.

Spring 2008 at Quaker Knoll - Hands On History

We are looking forward to seeing some of our favorite schools and home school groups again this spring. We still have some room for home school groups on Monday, May 19. We do have another day open should you want to bring your school or home school group on Thursday, May 15.

Spring 2008 Home School Day for Hands On History at Quaker Knoll Campground

We are now scheduling home schoolers for Monday, May 19. If your home schooled family or group is interested in attending our program this spring, we suggest this day. If another day would work better for you, please contact me for availability.

Hands On History - What your day will be like

When you come to the Hands On History program at Quaker Knoll your group will be directed to an orientation area. Depending on the weather this may be indoors or outside. We will give a brief introduction and orientation to everyone, then each group or class will go to a presenter to start the program.

We have found that it usually works best for students to be in their normal classes, or groups of 15-25.

Our program is structured into 20-minute stations, with a costumed interpreter at each station. At each station your group will learn about a different aspect of our early history. When you finish with the current station your group will be directed to go to the next station in a clockwise fashion.

We have found it bet to keep as close to the children's food schedule as possible! When it's time to eat, just take lunch break in-between stations. When lunch is done just go to the next station in order. We will direct you when you leave each station, of course.

Your group will then continue through the stations in order until it is time for you to leave.

Hands On History - Western Movement

In the "Great Leap Westward" of 1779-80 two thirds of the people who made the move into the Cumberland settlements died in the first year, men, women, and children. Settling the frontier was a family struggle. Children were a necessary ingredient in the formula that permitted westward expansion. This program uses the tools and materials used by children their everyday lives on the frontier to explain their importance to the creation of the United States.

Hands On History - Wagoner's Lad (Freight Wagon)

An examination of the transportation industry in early America with a focus on the roles children held in the industry. The class is usually taught with a circa 1755 freight wagon and a team of four oxen. We have the students handle the equipment and a few from each class get a chance to drive the oxen. It is a very real insight into the world that moved at the speed of an ox.

Pictures and additional info here.