>Subj: [INPCRP] IN Jr. Historical Scoiety & the kids of
Indiana
Date: 7/13/01 2:31:22 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From: wmmahan(a)comsys.net (wmmahan)
I know this may not be the place to ask for this kind of help but I
feel that if we do not get the kids interested in the things that make up the
history of Indiana we will not have a future generation to carry on for us.
My son was at the Jr. Hist. Society Camp this year. The last day they told
the kids & parents that there would be not more camps. It seems that the
Indiana Historical Society has cut the funds and there is no money for the
camps for the kids. My son went last year and learned about the History of
the Pre-historical part of Indiana in the fossils and also the history of
sports in Indiana. This year it was the fur trade and the Miami Indian. I
know he has learned so much from the summer camps, it is sad to see them go.
He Jr. Hist Society (for those that are not familiar with it) meets in
the schools during the school year ( Not all grade schools participate), but
for those that do grades 4-6 all over the state are able to learn about
Indiana in a setting that teaches them that Indiana past has value and can be
interesting to learn.
The schools in Rush Co. take a 2 day spring trip letting the kids out
of school to go on a Fri. & Sat trip. Some of the teachers go with the group
and the school system provides the buses. (our school assistant
administrator drives a bus and the have a reg. bus driver for the other one).
This year they went to the north west part of Indiana. Last year it was
the south east part of the state. So the kids have seen a lot of Indiana
Historical sites first hand. While I am sure our school district will
continue with these trips the summer camp is going to be gone.
I feel that there are many in Indiana that do not even know about the Jr.
Historical Society and the activities they have been doing. Maybe that is
why the powers that be feel they can cut the funds to this group. We were
told by the camp director that the only even "dream" of keeping the camp was
flood the Indiana Historical Society with letter expressing the value of the
Jr. Hist. Camps.
I am asking for your help in doing this....below is the contact
information.....PLEASE HELP.....the kids of Indiana need to know the value of
our past. I come from several of the pioneer families in the Monroe Co.
area, I know my ancestors are going to be upset that it is felt the kids of
Indiana should not be taught of the states collective past Thanks for
your help Sorry this is so long........ Diana Mahan in Rush Co. Indiana
Contact information:
Dr. R. Shoemaker at rshoemaker(a)indhistory.org
450 W. Ohio
Indianapolis, Indiana 46202
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