Constitution Camp celebrates America’s 250th anniversary through U.S. history lessons
Hadley Bodell
POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – The annual Constitution Camp in Pocatello is officially underway at Calvary Chapel. Nearly 100 campers ages 7 to 12 are participating in interactive activities about U.S. history and learning patriotic songs.
The camp usually focuses on the Revolutionary War, but this year, board members created an entirely new curriculum in honor of America’s 250th anniversary. Campers take part in a time-traveling adventure throughout the week, beginning with the Mayflower and following history through the Oregon Trail, the Civil War and World War I.
“It all accumulates into what we call Freedom Fighter Friday, which is where we have men and women from the community come and act like different people from those times throughout history,” said Michele Holyoak, Constitution Camp director. “People like Clara Barton, Abraham Lincoln, Meriwether Lewis and even Ronald Reagan.”
The week also culminates with a performance open to the public Friday at 6 p.m. at Calvary Chapel, where campers will perform a musical featuring patriotic songs. In honor of America250, the musical has changed this year as well.
“We will take our audiences on a journey, just like our kids took a journey throughout this week,” Holyoak said. “We will show them the patriotic songs and hope to be able to build a spirit of freedom and camaraderie in our community so they can remember the principles of freedom and what our country stands on.”
Constitution Camp is typically capped at 60 campers, but this year organizers are teaching 98 children. The camp also has 68 volunteers, including many teenagers who attended the camp as children and now give back to the community.
“I like seeing the kids have a good time, and it’s really important what they’re doing here,” said Trevor Martinez, a fourth-year volunteer. “Teaching kids about the Constitution is important, and it’s an incredible experience to be a part of.”
“Our 13- to 18-year-old teen volunteers are literally the heart of the camp,” Holyoak said. “They are the reason why kids love camp. They look up to those teenagers, they look up to the values they’re instilling and they are definitely role models.”
Martinez helps run the games station, including his personal favorite on Friday: dodgeball. Other volunteers include local school teachers who spend part of their summer educating campers at various stations.
“I love seeing my friends and teaching the little kids,” said Sadie Baker, a teen chaperone volunteer. “I grow really cool, special relationships with all the kids and teen helpers.”
Four local musicians and Idaho State University music education majors help campers learn patriotic songs throughout the week for Friday’s performance.
“It’s really special to see all of the kids and what they’ve learned and to show their parents and the community through their songs,” Baker said. “It’s just a really spiritual and cool experience.”
Martinez and Baker both said they would like to continue volunteering with Constitution Camp in the future.
“I encourage everyone to take the opportunity to celebrate where we have come from, to celebrate the freedoms that men and women who have come before us fought for,” Holyoak said. “We always take the opportunity during our musical to honor all of our servicemen because we know where these freedoms come from.”