Morning Session: 10am - 11:45am “Ohio Fever”
Afternoon Session: 1pm - 2:45pm “Settling In”
Reservations REQUIRED by Tues., Feb. 3 — and spots fill fast!
Step back into one of the most transformative periods in Ohio history—and experience it in a way you simply can’t anywhere else. Whether you’re 10, 30, 50, or beyond, this all-ages camp explores the events of 1800 – 1820 including the difficulties of settlement of the Ohio frontier and progress of the trades in Marietta and the Mid-Ohio Valley through hands-on activities, immersive scenarios, and expert-led classes.
Choose one session or make a full day of it—each session features different activities, so you’ll get a completely unique experience whether you’re a first-time attendee or a returning history camp fan.
The featured activities expand on last summer’s popular History Camp for 3rd- 6th graders. This experience is built for curious minds, families learning together, friend groups looking for a unique day out, and lifelong history lovers.
Why You’ll Love This Camp
Interactive, not passive. You won’t just hear history—you’ll do it.
Hands-on activities crafted by museum professionals.
Designed for ages 10+, but engaging and meaningful for every age group.
Two completely different sessions = twice the adventure!
Only 30 spots per session = a personalized, high-quality experience.
Registration:
Members: $25/session; $45/both sessions
Non-Members: $30/session; $55/both sessions
Member Discount Codes:
Single Session Member Discount use Promo Code: HCMEMBER
Both Session Member Discount use Promo Code: 2HCMEMBER
Here’s what you need to know:
Non-registered parents/guardians may drop off their camper at the museum and pick them up at the conclusion of the session. If you intend to stay with your camper as a chaperone, you are required to register and pay as a participant. Cross-generational participation and family group attendance is encouraged. This negates the need to attend as a non-participating chaperone.
Changes in your ability to attend, must be notified 48hrs in advance of the start time of the camp to receive a full refund.
Please be sure to arrive on time. Check-in will be at the front doors of The Castle Museum.
Updates and changes will be emailed from the Education Director Kyle Yoho. Please consider adding “kyle@mariettacastle.org” to your contacts to be sure that these emails are received in your inbox rather than junk or spam folders.
For those attending both sessions, there are numerous lunch locations in close proximity to the museum. If you need assistance selecting a location, feel free to call us at 740-373-4180. Unfortunately, we will not have a space available for campers to have lunch, so please plan to enjoy a lunch break off the premises.
You may bring a bottle of water, but we can not allow other beverages or food in the museum.Questions? Email education@mariettacastle.org or call 740-373-4180.
Reservations required by Tues., Feb. 3. Space is limited.
Continue further down this page for a listing of the classes offered.
Morning Session - Ohio Fever
10am - 11:45am (Arrive by 9:50am)
ACTIVITY: Ohio Fever & The Northwest Ordinance
Before settlers with "Ohio Fever" decide whether or not they might want to move to the "Ohio Country", they will have to decide what laws they want to govern them there. How will Revolutionary War veterans, as well as other men, women, multiracial people, and Native Americans be treated if and when The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 is passed to oversee the settlement? In this activity, campers will choose a real historical person from this period and read details about that person's life. Next, using their new personas, campers will advocate for issues they believe should be included in the Ordinance that will need to pass a majority vote in Congress. Counselors will also present the backgrounds of historical Native American leaders living in the region whose concerns also need to be addressed. Can you convince the lawmakers to support new rights not available anywhere else at the time that are important to you, your family, and future Americans? If so, will you now consider moving here?
PROVIDER: Scott Britton - Executive Director, The Castle
Scott Britton is the Executive Director of The Castle Museum. He is a frequent speaker on a variety of topics related to the Revolutionary War, Civil War, and multicultural history in southeastern Ohio. Mr. Britton is a member of the America 250-Ohio's Northwest Ordinance Committee to promote one of our nation's most overlooked founding documents, the Northwest Ordinance of 1787. He specializes in connecting state and national events to mid-Ohio residents when giving battlefield bus tours, cemetery tours, and various public presentations through story telling to make direct connections to people and places the campers can relate to in their own lives.
ACTIVITY: Garrison Life at Fort Harmar
PC: Marietta College Special Collections
In the late 1780s, the only regiment of US regular soldiers in the entire nascent nation were stationed at Fort Harmar. This activity will teach campers what life was like for the soldiers living on the edge of the frontier. Campers will be divided into platoons, each of which will rotate through two stations: Military Skills (uniform and drill) and Living on the Frontier (gardening and craftsmanship).
PROVIDER: Cyrus Moore
Cyrus Moore is a regional historian with a special interest in Ohio's military History. Born in Athens County, he attended Ohio University before earning a Master's from Kent State in History. Moore has presented on topics that range from Ohio's involvement in WWI to the Marietta and Cincinnati Railroad, and has written about the 1904 Ohio National Guard maneuvers in Athens. Currently he is the director of the Baltimore Community Museum.
ACTIVITY: Silhouettes: Capturing Memories
PC: American Institute for Conservation
Learn how to create a likeness of yourself before selfies. Silhouettes (or “shades”) and paintings were the only way during this time period to record your image.
PROVIDER: Jaye Warman - Volunteer, The Castle
Jaye is a long time volunteer with The Castle. She is a retired art teacher and brings her skills of various art forms and mediums to many of The Castle’s field trips and educational programs. You can find Jaye leading tours at the museum nearly every Friday afternoon during our open season.
Afternoon Session - Settling In
1pm - 2:45pm (Arrive by 12:50pm)
ACTIVITY: Open Hearth Cooking
No microwaves. No shortcuts. No “15-minute meals.” Experience the challenge—and creativity—of preparing food on an early 19th-century hearth. You’ll roll up your sleeves and help prepare authentic dishes using traditional tools and techniques.
PROVIDER: Kyle Yoho – Education Director, The Castle
Kyle has served as the Education Director for The Castle since 2015. He received his BA in History from Marietta College and MA in Public History from Wright State University. Kyle has planned museum public programs for all ages for over 15 years. One of his favorite areas of historical research is food history! He’s taught classes, written recipes, catered meals, and worked with local chefs, foodies, and museums like The Henry Ford to bring interesting food history to life.
ACTIVITY: Price is Right: Trading at the 1800s Mercantile
PC: Getty
The equivalent of the superstore in the 1800s was the “mercantile.” In this session, campers will step into the Dudley Woodbridge mercantile (an original mercantile operating in the early 1800s.) Through a fun game of “price is right” we’ll learn how prices of common goods have changed from 1800 to 2025.
PROVIDER: Terri Marlow - Volunteer, The Castle
Terri Marlow is a Castle volunteer, serving as docent and member of the Education Task Force. After 40+ years as a high school Spanish teacher, she now enjoys learning about Marietta and history in general through the many and varied Castle activities: the Teas, Third Thursdays, Cemetery Tours, Day Trips, “Day at the Castle” and History Camp activities.
ACTIVITY: The Archaeology of the Clark Pottery
In this activity campers will learn about the original ceramic work of Nathaniel Clark and experience a hands-on exercise in artifact identification.
PROVIDER: Wesley Clarke - Collections Manager & Archaeologist, The Castle
Wesley Clarke is a Registered Professional Archaeologist with training in historiography, art history, and material culture analysis. He has conducted field research in Ohio, Michigan, Tennessee, Thailand, and Cambodia, and is currently excavating the 1808 Clark Pottery site at The Castle Museum.