Fort Scott National Historic Site begins registration for annual Trailblazer day-camp

Tribune Staff Report

Local youths are being offered the chance to explore history at the Fort Scott National Historic Site.

The FSNHS has begun registration for its annual five-day educational camp, Trailblazer.

Participants in the camp will have the chance to dig for buried treasure, learn how a cannon is fired, find bugs, take a prairie safari and discover ways in which they can help save the planet along the way.

The Trailblazer camp is slated to run July 28-August 1, and operates from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. each day.

Interested parties can register for the program by contacting FSNHS at (620) 223-0310. Registration begins July 14 and is limited to 16 people. Participants must be 10-14 years of age as of the first day of camp. Once registered a complete informational packet will be mailed to the individual's home.

The Trailblazer Camp is designed to expose youths to the mission of the National Park Service in caring for the nation's crown jewels. Participants will take part in an archaeological dig, work in the prairie and gain knowledge of methods used to preserve the buildings and artifacts of the fort. They will also learn about living history, interpretation and participate in a program presented at the end of the week.

New to the day camp this year will be activities that relate to global climate change, energy conservation and keeping the planet clean.