A Day in the Life Workshop in Prescott engages youth in local history and culture
By Mary Melcher, Education Program Manager at Sharlot Hall Museum in Prescott, Arizona
On July 23 and 24, Prescott’s Sharlot Hall Museum became a very lively place as 30 youngsters took part in a two-day camp to learn about the lives of 19th-century Yavapai and pioneer children. Funded by an Arizona Humanities Opportunity Grant, this cross-cultural “Day in the Life” program became a great hit with the young people.
Yavapai Indian Tribe Cultural Research staff collaborated with Sharlot Hall Museum staff to develop the day camp which included the following activities: archery, quilting, reading animal footprints, American Indian music and dance, butter churning, acorn grinding, and Victorian toys, as well as a tour of the museum. Home-schooled youth from the Prescott area and Yavapai youngsters participated in the program. Comments from the children included “I liked everything because I like learning about pioneer stuff.” Yavapai means “people of the sun,” each basket tells a story and that Indian people made musical instruments using parts of animals and plants.