Camp Edwards Place
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 19th century historic home in the heart of one of Springfield's oldest neighborhoods. We have camps for 3rd Grade through Seniors in High School.
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Check out our FAQs at this link to get information and to review our refund policy for camps.
Many camps take place in Edwards Place's 2nd floor classroom, which is only accessible by stairs.
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Sign up for 2025 camps: February 25, 9AM for Springfield Art Association Members (Family level and above); February 27, 9AM for Non-Members
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Hiring for 2025 Camp Instructor
Job Title: Camp Edwards Place Instructor
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Staff Manager: Sarah Adams, Curator of Collections and Interpretation
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Dates of Position: May 27 – August 1
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Pay Rate: $18/hr for Bachelor’s degree, $20/hr for Master’s degree
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Hours: Various – Generally 8:30 – 5:00 Monday – Friday (FT seasonal). No evening or weekend hours. Hours may vary based on number of camps running each week. July 4 is an unpaid holiday.
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Job Description: This opportunity is for someone great with kids and with a passion for history. These camps take place in an historic home, with one of our top missions being to preserve the home. The instructor will be expected to teach a variety of historical topics for up to 12 campers per camp (3rd grade – High School), update the curator on needs for the camp, camp prep before morning and afternoon sessions, and post-camp clean up each day.
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Past History Camp Examples: Civil War Encampment, Archaeology, Life in the 19th Century, Historical Toys and Games, Historical Inventions and Technology, Spycraft
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Qualifications: Bachelor’s Degree in History, Education, or related field, experience working with children (3rd grade – high school)
Place of Work: Edwards Place Historic House, 700 North 4th St., Springfield, IL. The classroom is on a second-story of a historic building.
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Time Commitment Requirements: We do request someone who can commit to camps for all time slots that have camps. If there is a conflict for any of the times listed, but you are still interested in the position, please contact the curator to discuss other possibilities.
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How to Apply: Please send your resume, cover letter, and availability to the Curator, Sarah Adams, at collections@springfieldart.org.
3rd - 5th Grade Camps - 2025
Dig It!, 3rd-5th Grade
$190/Non-Members. $160/Members
June 2-6.2025: 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 partly outdoor and takes place in Edwards Place’s 2nd floor classroom. Camp size: 12
History Time Machine, 3rd-5th Grade
$190/Non-Members. $160/Members
​June 2-6.2025: 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 and takes place in Edwards Place’s 2nd floor classroom. Camp size: 12.
Civil War Encampment, 3rd-5th Grade
$190/Non-Members. $160/Members
June 9-13.2025: 9AM-NOON or 1:30-4:30PM, Edwards Place.
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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. It takes place in Edwards Place’s 2nd floor classroom. Camp size: 12
​(Children will learn about civil war era weapons.)
Celebrate Illinois' Black History!, 3rd-5th Grade
$190/Non-Members. $160/Members
June 16-20.2025: 9AM-NOON or 1:30-4:30PM, Edwards Place.
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This camp teaches about the African American community in Springfield and Illinois, primarily in the 19th century. Throughout the week, campers will learn about important people in history who’ve made a lasting impact on our community. Campers will participate in activities about historical occupations, cultural achievements, and daily life in 19th century Illinois. This camp takes place in Edwards Place’s 2nd floor classroom. Camp size: 12
Eureka!, 3rd-5th Grade
$190/Non-Members. $160/Members
​June 23-27.2025: 9-NOON, 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 household remedies, ancient tech, toothpowder and soap, engineering design, and more! This camp will take place in Edwards Place’s 2nd floor classroom. Camp size: 12
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Dream Weaver, 3rd-5th Grade
$190/Non-Members. $160/Members
June 23-27. 2025: 9 AM-NOON
July 7-11. 2025: 9AM-NOON
July 14-18. 2025: 9AM-NOON, Edwards Place.
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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/potholder, place mat, and the wildly popular stuffed "crazy chicken." Camp size: 12
Maker's Apprentice, 3rd-5th Grade
$190/Non-Members. $160/Members
​June 23-27.2025: 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! This camp will take place in Edwards Place’s 2nd floor classroom. Camp size: 12
Playing With the Past, 3rd-5th Grade
$190/Non-Members. $160/Members
July 7-11.2025: 9-NOON or 1:30-4:30PM, Edwards Place.
This camp will explore the different toys and games played 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. This camp takes place in Edwards Place’s 2nd floor classroom. Camp size: 12
Spy!, 3rd-5th Grade
$190/Non-Members. $160/Members
July 14-18.2025: 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. This camp will take place in Edwards Place’s 2nd floor classroom. Camp size: 12
Camp Illinois, 3rd-5th Grade
$190/Non-Members. $160/Members
July 21-25.2025: 9:00AM-NOON, Edwards Place.
Learn about Illinois from its earliest indigenous nations to its admittance into the union (and beyond). Campers will learn about the history of our state through activities highlighting the diverse landscape, people, and events that have made Illinois the place we call home today. This camp takes place in Edwards Place’s 2nd floor classroom. Camp size: 12
Winter in July, 3rd-5th Grade
$190/Non-Members. $160/Members
July 21-25.2025: 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 fiber 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
Victorian Tales, 3rd-5th Grade
$190/Non-Members. $160/Members
July 21-25.2025: 1:30-4:30PM, Edwards Place.
Victorians were well known for their stories about creatures, superstitions, ghosts, and magic. Many of these stories originated before the 19th century, but Victorians made them their own! In this camp, these tales will be explored through crafts and activities encouraging campers to connect with their imaginative side. Don’t worry – this camp will not include any tale that is too scary! This camp takes place in Edwards Place’s 2nd floor classroom. Camp size: 12
Easy Peasey Yarn, 3rd-5th Grade
$190/Non-Members. $160/Members
July 28-August 1.2025: 9-NOON, Edwards Place.
Easy peasey, lemon squeezy means fun and easy. This camp offers an opportunity to learn how to turn yarn and plastic "canvas" into a variety of handy items including a picture frame, a glasses case, a key fob, and lots more. Campers will be able choose among a number of these projects to keep for themselves or to give to friends and family. This camp takes place in Edwards Place’s 2nd floor classroom. Camp size: 12
Acting Up in the 19th Century, 3rd-5th Grade
$190/Non-Members. $160/Members
July 28-August 1.2025: 1:30-4:30PM, Edwards Place.
Before “lights, camera, action!”, people in the 19th century performed without the glitz and glam of Hollywood – often for friends and family in their own parlors. There were many ways to ham it up on the small stage. This camp will explore various forms of theater and performing – including tableaux vivants (living pictures), paper theatre, and puppet theatre. This camp will also teach the various forms of popular theatre – farce and melodrama among them. Camp size: 12
6th - 8th Grade and High School - 2025
Basket Weaving, 6th Grade - Senior
$190/Non-Members. $160/Members
​June 2-6. 2025: 9-NOON,
June 9-13. 2025: 9-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 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
Never Felt Better About Embroidery, 6th-Senior
$190/Non-Members. $160/Members
June 2-6.2025: 1:30-4:30PM, 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 unique project with interesting and often recycled materials. Camp size: 12
A Stitch in Time (Beginner Embroidery), 6th - Senior
$190/Non-Members. $160/Members
June 9-13, 2025: 1:30 - 4:30PM, Edwards Place.
Campers can learn six or more 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
Pom - Pom Critters, 6th - Senior
$190/Non-Members. $160/Members
June 16-20, 2025: 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 critters. Campers can turn ordinary yarn into something fun for everyone. Camp size: 12
Knitting Muffatees, 6th - Senior
$190/ Non-Members. $160/ Members
June 16-20, 2025: 1:30-4:30PM, Edwards Place.
This is a great opportunity to 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. You will have something to warm you for your efforts! Camp size: 12
Hooked on Crochet, ​6th - Senior
$190/Non-Members. $160/Members
June 23-27. 2025: 1:30-4:30PM
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
Little Chef on the Prairie, ​6th Grade - Senior
$190/Non-Members. $160/Members
July 7-11, 2025: 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! Campers will learn kitchen safety, as they will be hands-on throughout the camp. Camp size: 10
Sew Easy (Beginner Sewing), 6th - Senior
$190/Non-Members. $160/Members
July 7-11. 2025: 1:30 - 4:30 PM, Edwards Place.
Campers can learn about the uniquely American sewing tradition of pieced (also known as patchwork) quilts. They can learn how to make their own pieced projects and also have an opportunity to contribute a piece of their own needlework to the 2025 Edwards Place Friendship Quilt, which will be displayed in the house. Note: This is hand sewing, not machine. Camp size: 12
Cooking Up History, 6th Grade - Senior
$190/Non-Members. $160/Members
July 14-18, 2025: 9AM - NOON
July 21-25, 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! Campers will learn kitchen safety, as they will be hands-on throughout the camp. Camp size: 10
Denim Doodles, Freshman - Senior
$190/Non-Members. $160/Members
July 14-18. 2025: 1:30-4:30PM,
July 21-25, 2025: 1:30-4:30PM, Edwards Place
(One denim 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. You need to have your denim item 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
$190/Non-Members. $160/Members
​July 28-August 1, 2025: 9-NOON, Edwards Place and other sites.
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, and then visit four other sites around the city to learn from other historians. Those sites are Oak Ridge Cemetery, Lincoln Library (public library), and Lincoln Home National Historic Site. The final site is TBD. Drop off and pick up will be different each day, based on the location. Camp size: 12
Write On! 6th - 8th Grade
$190/Non-Members. $160/Members
July 28-August 1. 2025: 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
Trinket Box Treasures, 6th-Senior
$190/Non-Members. $160/Members
July 28-August 1. 2025: 1:30-4:30PM, Edwards Place.
This is an opportunity for campers to learn how to construct, decorate, and embellish a lidded box in which to place their own special "treasures." The construction materials are surprisingly simple but the designs can be intricate. Once the construction technique is mastered, each camper can create their box in various colors. This camp will take place in Edwards Place's 2nd floor classroom. ​Camp Size: 12