Days 2 and 3 of Colonial Carolina Summer Camp

Day 2: Started with a much-anticipated Discovery House Tour, followed by colonial games and crafts. Camper-historians imagined what life was like for children on a colonial plantation as they were led through the circa 1738 preserved house. Conversations about the tasks, chores, and pastimes of the Drayton and the enslaved children were followed by a field day of round robin games and crafts. From hoop rolling to quoits, camper-historians enjoyed their morning without television, video games, or air conditioning (although air conditioning would have been nice!). After snack, Ms. Liz led a station of needlepoint and weaving, Ms. Betsy led a station of rag doll making (which for many, turned into a whole rag doll family!), and Mrs. Rikki led a station of bees’ wax candle making.

 Day 3:  Camper-historians learned about the lives of enslaved people at Drayton Hall. Grey skies did not dampen their enthusiasm, as they learned about tasks in the kitchen, house, and field. Mrs. Rikki led the kitchen station and showed how enslaved people fashioned cooking utensils like whisks and scrapers from materials at hand. The campers also learned differences between they types of ceramics the Draytons and enslaved people would have used. Many camper-historians were surprised to learn that enslaved children, as young as eight, worked as apprentices performing tasks such as grinding spices and churning butter. 

While learning about cash crops such as rice, indigo, and cotton, campers performed hands-on activities including pounding and fanning rice. After working ten to twelve-hour days, enslaved people celebrated events like deaths, births, and marriages within their own small communities. Ms. Liz and the camper-historians participated in a ring shout using traditional African instruments such as drums and gourd shakers to accompany themselves while they clapped and danced.

Ms. Betsy began the craft of the day with a story about Dave the Potter, an enslaved artisan from Edgefield, SC. Then, campers’ choice:  paint a traditional African face jug or a Colonial teapot.

As they worked, campers made these comments:

“I love this camp so much I never want to leave.” – Kyle

“You know what I’m going to tell my mom next year? I want to go to Camp Drayton Hall again.” – AJ

“I love this camp.” – Brenna & Darby

Day three also welcomed our newest guide, Ms. Joi, for her first day of work at Drayton Hall. She is currently completing her M.A. degree in history and our camper/historians found that she is an expert at jump rope.

Welcome Ms. Joi!