Camp Edwards Place 2023
Camp Edwards Place is where your child can indulge their love of history at a home that is truly a Springfield treasure. There are a number of camps they can join that all take place in and around this 1833 historic home in the heart of one of Springfield's oldest neighborhoods. We have camps for many different age groups.
Sign up for 2024 camps: February 27, 9AM for Springfield Art Association Members; February 29, 9AM for Non-Members
3rd - 5th Grade Camps - 2024
Playing With the Past, 3rd-5th Grade
$180/Non-Members. $150/Members
June 3-7.2024: 1:30-4:30PM, Edwards Place.
This camp will explore the different toys and games played with by children in the 19th century, some of which are known to have been played with by the Edwards family. This camp isn't just to PLAY with games, but to MAKE games! Before factories mass-produced toys and games, many were handmade with materials that could be easily found in and around the home. Camp Size: 12
Dig It!, 3rd-5th Grade
$180/Non-Members. $150/Members
June 3-7.2024: 9-NOON
June 10-14: 9-NOON
Your camper will learn about the principles and practices of historical archaeology, and then go out into the field to conduct an archaeological excavation in the back yard of Edwards Place! Camp wraps up with an exhibit of the artifacts recovered. Don’t miss this unique, hands-on opportunity! This camp is primarily outdoor.
History Time Machine, 3rd-5th Grade
$180/Non-Members. $150/Members
June 10-14.2024: 1:30-4:30PM, Edwards Place.
You will have the opportunity to go back in time and imagine what it was like to live at Edwards Place in the 19th century. Themes to be explored include Home Life, School, Chores, Manners, and more. Enjoy fun activities such as making butter, playing 19th century games, and dipping candles. Campers will have the opportunity to learn and play inside Historic Edwards Place. This camp is partly outdoor. Camp Size: 12
Civil War Encampment, 3rd-5th Grade
$150/Non-Members. $120/Members
(4 DAY CAMP, NO CAMP ON WEDNESDAY THE 19th)
June 17-21.2024: 9AM-NOON or 1:30-4:30PM, Edwards Place.
This camp takes kids back to the 1860s to learn some of the skills that soldiers learned during the Civil War. Learn about battles, 19th century medical aid, what soldiers did outside of battles, and more. This camp is immersive and participatory and is partly outdoor. Camp Size: 12
Dream Weaver, 3rd-5th Grade
$150/Non-Members. $120/Members (4 DAY PRICE)
$180/Non-Members. $150/Members
June 17 - 21. 2024: 9 AM - NOON, (4 DAY CAMP, NO CAMP ON WEDNESDAY THE 19th), or June 24 -28. 2024: 9AM - NOON. or July 8 - 12. 2024: 9AM - Noon, Edwards Place.
This is an opportunity for campers to learn basic weaving terminology, how to design patterns, how to select colors, and how to use both sizes of metal hand looms. Campers will be able choose among a number of projects such as a carry bag, trivet/ pot holder, place mat, and the wildly popular stuffed "crazy chicken." Camp Size: 12
Maker's Apprentice, 3rd-5th Grade
$180/Non-Members. $150/Members
June 24-28.2024: 9-NOON or 1:30-4:30PM, Edwards Place.
This camp will explore how people made their own goods to trade and sell in the 19th century. Before machines helped us make some things, people used special tools to make them by hand. Campers will get to see and participate in creating some of these items, just like they did in the 1800s. Topics to be explored include broom making, hat making, shoe making, and more! Camp Size: 12
Eureka!, 3rd-5th Grade
$180/Non-Members. $150/Members
July 8-12: 9-NOON or 1:30-4:30PM, Edwards Place.
Technology didn’t begin with the internet or even the industrial age. Historical tech includes much more! Campers will learn about inventions and gadgets from a long range of history, up to creating industrial-type technology themselves. Projects will include gadgets, but also household tech, chemical tech, and more! Camp Size: 12
Spy!, 3rd-5th Grade
$180/Non-Members. $150/Members
July 15-19: 9:00AM-NOON or 1:30-4:30PM, Edwards Place.
The art of spying is as old as there have been political boundaries. Methods of spying have changed and advanced throughout time, but some simple methods have been used which can be recreated by our campers! Our spies will learn about codes, invisible inks, deduction techniques, disguise, and more – then close out their camp week with a spy mission around historic Edwards Place. Camp Size: 12
Winter in July, 3rd-5th Grade
$180/Non-Members. $150/Members
July 22-26: 9:00AM-NOON, Edwards Place.
This is a cool way to spend a hot summer day --- a chance to prepare for all the winter holidays and celebrations --- and best of all, it will be great way to sample a variety of fibers arts while creating ornaments and decorations to take home at the end of the week. Every day will present a different project using different fiber art tools, skills, and techniques. Camp Size: 12
6th - 8th Grade and High School - 2024
Never Felt Better About Embroidery, 6th-Senior
$180/Non-Members. $150/Members
June 3-7.2024: 9-NOON, Edwards Place.
Learn how to use colorful felt as the base for embroidery. Using felt makes it possible to work without an embroidery hoop and also makes it easier to create flexible items with easy construction in a variety of bright colors, and no fraying edges. Whatever your level of embroidery skills may be, working on felt will give you another way to express your creativity and to design your own own unique projecting interesting materials and often recycled materials. Camp Size: 12
Basket Weaving, 6th Grade - Senior
$180/Non-Members. $150/Members
June 3 - 7, 2024: 1:30 - 4:30PM, Edwards Place.
This is an opportunity for campers to learn basic weaving terminology, how to design patterns, how to select colors, and how to use basket "forms" made to support your weaving project. There will be an opportunity to weave using both recycled fabric and/or various yarn some of which are also recycled material. Camp Size: 12
Pom - Pom Critters, 6th - Senior
$180/Non-Members. $150/Members
June 10 - 14, 2024: 9AM - Noon, Edwards Place.
They are soft, round, fuzzy, colorful, can be made in any almost size, and (surprisingly) in the 18th century they were used in battle. What are they? Pom-poms! (They adorned some soldiers hats -- the color of the pom-pom on top of the hat indicated to which company the soldier belonged.) Once the "how-to" is learned, campers can make their own pom-poms to add favorite colors to any ordinary stocking cap or to create a whole zoo full of fuzzy, familiar animals (or other creatures from their own imaginations). Campers can turn ordinary yarn into something fun for everyone. Camp Size: 12
Suffolk Puffs, 6th - Senior
$180/Non-Members. $150/Members
June 10 - 14, 2024: 1:30 - 4:30 PM, Edwards Place.
Campers may know these bits of fabric as "yo-yos" (no, not the spinning toy on a string). These bits of cloth came into use hundreds of years ago with the name "Suffolk Puffs." (They probably originated in the United Kingdom; the first written record of them is in the early 1600's.) With a needle, thread, and scraps of fabric, campers can learn to make everything from clever fabric flowers to colorful pillow covers to cuddly toys. There will be a host of projects from which to choose --- there are LOTS of possibilities with just a little sewing! Note: This is hand sewing, not machine. Camp Size: 12
Sew Easy (Beginner Sewing), 6th - Senior
$150/Non-Members. $120/Members
June 17 - 21. 2024: 1:30 - 4:30 PM,
(4 DAY CAMP, NO CAMP ON WEDNESDAY THE 19th), Edwards Place.
Campers can learn to make colorful fabric "puzzles" using just a needle, fabric, and thread, like the “crazy quilts” from the 19th century. The secret of how the various colors and scrambled bits and pieces of fabric can be transformed into one rectangle will be theirs. Levels of difficulty will adjusted based on campers' sewing skills. Note: This is hand sewing, not machine. Camp Size: 12
Cooking Up History, 6th Grade - Senior
$180/Non-Members. $150/Members
June 24 - 28, 2024: 9AM - Noon or July 8 - 12, 2024: 9AM - Noon, Edwards Place.
Campers will learn about some typical 19th century meals from actual Edwards family recipes, while getting the opportunity to try their hand at cooking them! By the end of the week, campers will gain knowledge of cooking skills, can try their own creations, and get to take home recipes from the camp to try at home. Campers will have the opportunity to eat their creations each day, so they will only want a light lunch before attending! Camp Size: 10
A Stitch in Time (Beginner Embroidery), 6th - Senior
$180/Non-Members. $150/Members
June 24 - 28, 2024: 1:30 - 4:30PM, Edwards Place.
Campers can learn six or more "sweet"; embroidery stitches while working on a honeycomb printed fabric. When the embroidery work is complete, the sampler can be framed for hanging,added as an embellishment to another object (such as a purchased throw pillow, or lined and stitched to make a small bag to carry sewing tools or other treasures. Busy bees can add more stitches to their sampler. Camp Size: 12
Knitting Muffatees, 6th - Senior
$180/ Non-Members. $150/ Members
July 8 - 12, 2024: 1:30 - 4:30PM, Edwards Place.
This is a great opportunity to a learn how to knit using traditional knitting needles. as well as being introduced to a variety of other knitting methods and tools. Campers will also have a choice of yarns with which to work and learn not only what muffetees are but also how to make them. Instead of baked treats when have finished, you will have something else warm for your efforts. Camp Size: 12
Hooked on Crochet, 6th - Senior
$180/Non-Members. $150/Members
July 15 - 19. 2024: 9 AM - Noon
Crocheting is a close "cousin"; to knitting. The big difference between the two is that when you crochet, you use only one curved hook rather than two pointed needles. Like knitting, crocheting is another attractive technique for turning skeins of yarn into hats, scarves, blankets and a whole lot more. Hey, Cinderella's only had a pumpkin turned into a carriage but you can learn how to turn yarn into a pumpkin...and other more practical things. Camp Size: 12
Denim Doodles, Freshman - Senior
$180/Non-Members. $150/Members
July 15 - 19. 2024: 1:30 - 4:30PM. Edwards Place
(One item brought by camper and if camper cannot supply that item, the instructor will supply it; all other materials supplied) This camp session is all about recycling, repurposing, and a chance to be creative all at the same time. You need only one denim item that is old, outgrown, faded, torn, and/or damaged to upscale it into your unique and new item. Be sure that you have permission to bring this item to camp. You also need to have it with you when you come to camp on the first day. The item can be a pair of jeans, a shirt, a pair of shorts, a jacket, a skirt, a purse, a tote bag... almost anything will do. Note: This will include hand sewing, not machine.
Camp Size: 12
History Detectives, 6th Grade - Senior
$180/Non-Members. $150/Members
July 22 - 26, 2024: 1:30 - 4:30 PM, Edwards Place.
This camp will explore what it's like to be a historian. Campers will take field trips around the area to dive in with history and discover how life was lived in the past. They will get to meet historians and get hands-on with local sources. Springfield is filled with an exciting past, and this experience will give campers a behind-the-scenes view of that special history! Campers will get to experience tricks of the trade at Edwards Place, Oak Ridge Cemetery, Lincoln Library, UIS’s Sangamon Experience, and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. Drop off and pick up with be different each day, based on the location. Camp Size: 12
Write On! 6th - 8th Grade
$180/Non-Members. $150/Members
July 22 - 26, 2024: 9AM - NOON, Edwards Place.
This camp is based on exploration of calligraphy (the art of beautiful handwriting), often used during the 19th century. Students will learn how to write using the Chancery Cursive “hand” and will also explore the tradition of illuminated manuscript (handwritten pages with painted images including precious metals). Camp Size: 12
Helping Hands Embroidery, 6th Grade - Senior
$180/Non-Members. $150/Members
July 22 - 26, 2024: 1:30 - 4:30PM, Edwards Place.
Everyone will begin this camp with a "helping hand" --- everyone will start by working on the same small embroidery project. This practice piece will serve as an example to aide you in designing and creating your own person piece of embroidery. When the embroidery work is complete, your designed piece can be framed for hanging, added as an embellishment for another object, or lined and stitched to make a small tote bag to carry tools, or stowing small treasures. Camp Size: 12
Little Chef on the Prairie, 6th Grade - Senior
$180/Non-Members. $150/Members
July 22 - 26, 2024: 9AM - Noon, Edwards Place.
Campers will learn about the recipes from and related to the famous books by Laura Ingalls Wilder. By the end of the week, campers will gain cooking skills, can try their own creations, and get to take home recipes from the camp to try at home. Campers will want to come hungry to this camp! Camp Size: 10