GREENEVILLE – Children of multiple ages will find Tusculum University is the place to be for a wonderful camp experience this year.
A camper shows a knot he made at Pioneer Skills Camp.
Two participants perform at Theatre Camp in 2025.
Tusculum will again hold Pioneer Skills Camps Monday, June 15-Friday, June 19, on the Doak House Museum grounds. The next two weeks, the university will hold Tusculum Theatre Camp from Monday, June 22-Friday, June 26, and Monday, June 29-Friday, July 3, in the Marilyn duBrisk Theatre and Behan Arena Theatre.
“We are thrilled to offer these terrific opportunities for active and experiential learning on our historic and gorgeous campus,” said Greg Fay, director of continuing education and camps. “These two camps have been big hits and staples of our summer programming, and we look forward to welcoming children to the university for a fantastic time.”
Pioneer Skills Camp will be held from 9 a.m.-noon daily and costs $100. Children will learn and practice skills used by pioneers, such as fire starting, cooking, fishing and building a camp site. This will expose participants to the methods early Americans used to obtain the necessities of life – food, clothing and shelter.
Children will not only see one of the university’s oldest structures in the Doak House but also be able to play on a creek on the grounds. They will also participate in other activities along the Tusculum Nature Trail.
These boys pick berries during Pioneer Skills Camp in 2025.
“These children will benefit from learning the methods employed by our early settlers to manage their daily lives,” said Dr. Peter Noll, professor of public history and museum studies, who will lead the camp. “Today, children are accustomed to so many modern conveniences. It is good for them to see how their ancestors lived and develop additional skills that still hold value today. They will also be able enjoy the beauty of nature and the serenity it holds.”
The first week of Theatre Camp will feature two sessions. Every day, children who are 5-7 years old will gather from 9:30 a.m.-11 a.m., and those who are 8-13 years old will meet from noon-3 p.m. The cost for the younger children to attend is $90, and the price for the older children is $125.
Week 2 of Theatre Camp will serve children ages 8-13 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and children 14 and older from 3-6 p.m. The price for both groups to attend is $125.
All children in Theatre Camp will receive a T-shirt and will participate in a production open to family and friends on the last day. That event will be held at 4 p.m. June 26 and 6 p.m. July 3 in the duBrisk Theatre.
Two participants perform a scene at Theatre Camp in 2025.
During the camp, participants will learn about working in front of an audience and backstage as they create their own original play. They will help write the play, act in it and build costumes and sets.
“This camp is going to be tremendous fun,” said Steve Schultz, director of Tusculum Arts Outreach, who will run the camp along with Erin Hensley Schultz, the university’s costume director. “We are fortunate to have many returnees, who have a good understanding of the production process and are taking their skills to another level. We are also thrilled to welcome newcomers, who are exploring their interest in theater and will come away with a hunger to participate more fully in the arts. We are excited about this camp.”
To register for the camps, please visit https://tusculumuniversitycamps.totalcamps.com/shop/EVENT. More information about the university is available at www.tusculum.edu.