~ SHC 2010 ~

Registration Form

We offer 7 one-week sessions of camp throughout the summer for two age groups K-2 & 3-5 with 30 slots available each week. Our most popular "Military" camp revolves around the life of the 18th century soldier. Campers take part in military drill, soldier-related crafts, and learn about the soldier's uniform and the equipment he carried. Every Thursday features campfire cooked rations & a rousing "Capture the Flag" battle, which concludes the camper's fun-filled week. This year we are offering 3 weeks of Military Camp for the K-2nd & 4 weeks for the 3rd-5th.

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Payment should be mailed in with your registration form.

SummerHistoryCamp@verizon.net

Weeks & Themes

Week 1 - 6/21-6/25  Military   Grades 3-5

Week 2 - 7/5-7/9      Military   Grades 3-5

Week 3 - 7/12-7/16  Military   Grades K-2

Week 4 - 7/19-7/23  Military   Grades K-2

Week 5 - 7/26-7/30  Military   Grades 3-5

Week 6 - 8/2-8/6      Military  Grades K-2

Camper Details

What to Wear & Bring:
Dress comfortably! Hats, hiking boots & insect repellent are all highly recommended for camp. Please feel free to wear your own period clothing. Due to the heat & constant physical activity during camp, we recommend that all campers bring a water bottle in addition to their lunch beverage.

What if it Rains?
Camp takes place rain or shine! In case of rain, please send appropriate rain gear with your camper. Unless we encounter severe weather, we will spend much of rainy day weather working on projects under the camp tent, but also might venture out in light rain.

Daily Schedule:

Please drop off your camper at 9 a.m. at the Visitor's Center parking lot. Campers should bring a bag lunch. Please make every effort to pick up your camper promptly at 1 p.m. If campers are not picked up on time, a fee may be charged to compensate for the camp staff's time. If there is an emergency situation, please contact us at (610) 459-3342 x3001 as soon as possible & we will do everything we can to assist you.

 Additional Information

Payment Information

The cost per week, per camper, is $150 ($140 for Friends of Brandywine Battlefield members - see below for membership information). Camp fee includes a $25 non-refundable deposit. Camp weeks are limited to twenty-five campers, so please register early!

Membership Information

Brandywine Battlefield Historic Site Associates is a support organization for the Brandywine Battlefield Historic Site. In addition to the Summer History Camp, the Friends run special programs, annual educational events, school tours and programs. Membership is renewed annually, and entitles members to many benefits. In addition to a $10 discount on each week of camp, members receive free admission to the Park for tours, reduced admission to certain special events, and "The Brandywine Dispatch" newsletter.

JOIN BBPA

Songs From the 1700's

Click on the links to hear a few eighteenth century songs that would have been played around the time of the Battle of Brandywine!

• Washington's March
  Popular in the 1790's

   

• Bonnie Annie
  18th century song by a Scottish fiddler

   

• Heart of Oak
  From an English musical, popular throughout the Revolution

   

• Chester
  Revolutionary War hymn

Historical Background

During the campaign of 1777, the British General, Sir William Howe, decided to invade the vital Middle Colonies and capture Philadelphia. Philadelphia was very important as it was the newly formed capital and one of the largest cities in the colonies. The British approached Philadelphia by ship from the Chesapeake, landing at Head of Elk, Maryland (now called Elkton). After unsuccessful skirmishes around Wilmington, Delaware, Washington took up defensive positions around Chadds Ford to stop the British advance. Chadds Ford allowed safe and easy passage of the Brandywine River on the road from Baltimore to Philadelphia. Washington placed his troops along the Brandywine River to guard the main fords, or shallow places, where the river could be crossed. Washington believed that he had all of the fords along the Brandywine guarded by his troops and was confident the area was secure.

The British camped at the nearby town of Kennett Square and began to formulate a plan. A portion of the army would march towards Chadds Ford as if they intended to meet Washington and his army at the river. Meanwhile the majority of the army would march north of Wistar's Ford, cross the river at a ford unknown to Washington and march south into the flank of the American forces, attacking him from the rear. Superior tactics and better knowledge of the area allowed the British to win the biggest battle of the Revolutionary War.