The Presidio Community YMCA and the Presidio Trust are delighted to offer summer camps at the Presidio Archaeology Center. Online registration begins March 14 and 21 for Facility and Program Members respectively. No timeslot will be needed.
If you have questions, contact Kelly Meehan at kmeehan@ymcasf.org or (415) 557-9692.
The secure web site for registration is http://enroll.ymcasf.org/OLR/Controller.
EXPERIMENTAL ARCHAEOLOGY CAMP
June 15-19
July 6-10
Grades 4-5
Did you know that Native Ohlone and Spanish colonists once lived at the Presidio? Archaeologists have excavated sites in the park and have discovered artifacts belonging to these people. By studying the artifacts that were made and used by people in the past, archaeologists have been able to uncover forgotten stories and learn more about the Presidio’s history. Come spend the week at the Presidio Archaeology Lab and explore what life might have been like for the Native Ohlone and the Spanish colonists. Students will examine artifacts and will experiment with making things from the Ohlone and Spanish cultures. Activities include cooking tortillas, making adobe, painting pottery, playing games, singing music, and more!
CERAMICS CAMP
July 13-17
Grades 6-8
When the Spanish colonists arrived in San Francisco to establish El Presidio and nearby Mission Dolores, they brought their beliefs, traditions, and material culture with them. Archaeologists working at the Presidio have excavated sites in the park and have discovered artifacts belonging to the Spanish settlers. Come spend a week at the Presidio Archaeology Lab exploring the different types of ceramics that the Spanish brought with them to San Francisco. Campers will work with a historic ceramic artist to make a variety of vessels using traditional manufacturing techniques and different decorative styles. The camp will culminate with a visit to the Presidio Archaeology Lab where campers will have the opportunity to analyze and catalog real ceramic artifacts from the Lab’s collection.
PEOPLE, PLANTS & PIXELS CAMP
August 10-14
Grades 6-8
Long before the Presidio was designated a National Park this land was home to Native Ohlone. The native plants that are still growing along the beautiful trails in the park played an important role in the cultures of many local Bay Area tribes. Through oral history, traditional practices, archaeology and historic documentation, the cultural significance and uses of many native plants has been uncovered. Come spend a week at the Presidio Archaeology Lab investigating the ethnobotanical uses of the plants on the Ecology Trail. Campers will uncover the cultural importance of these plants and discover how they were used for food, shelter, tools, medicine and more. The culminating project of this camp will be a student-created Google map that guides future visitors on an ethnobotanical exploration of the Ecology Trail.