Our Program and Mission
What is the Colonial Camp?
The Colonial Camp teaches people about Colonial-American life by letting them experience it firsthand. Our mission is to develop the character of Participants in an authentic historic context.
Where can I get more information regarding the Colonial Camp?
You can peruse the Colonial Camp website, its mission, and its history.
Why do the Directors close their letters with "Your Humble and Obedient Servant?"
Letters were often closed with similar statements during the Eighteenth Century. It shows courtesy, respect, and honor to the recipient.
Are you a real Colonial man?
We are real. Most of the time, the Colonial Camp staff are conducting Colonial-American programs. When we are not, we live in a modern home, with modern amenities. We are just as comfortable in a primitive, Colonial context as we are in the modern world.
How did you begin the Colonial Camp?
We began in the early 2000s, initially as a summer program. We quickly expanded into many other programs, including Field Trips. This was so successful that we now operate during the entire year. Our mission is to develop the character of participants in an authentic, historic context.
Perhaps courtesy could improve the civility of modern communication.
Where is the Colonial Camp located?
The Colonial Camp does not conduct events at a single location. We maintain facilities in multiple sites, and we conduct events at other historic sites, schools, etcetera.
We can even bring our program to a site of your choice and conduct a Colonial-American event.
We are based out of Dunn, North Carolina.
We travel on the east coast of the United States, from Florida to New York.
Is your Program religious?
No.
The mission of the Colonial-American Programs is to develop the character of Participants. All Participants are welcome and treated with dignity.
Is your program a rewarding, challenging, life-changing experience?
Yes.
Do you know any funny jokes?
No, but here is a joke anyway:
Two old guys, who were hard of hearing, were walking down the road carrying fishing poles.
One guy turns to the other guy and says, "Going fishing?"
The other guy says, "Naw. I'm going fishing!"
The first guy then says, "Okay. I thought you were going fishing!"
Heavy winds do not frighten us.
Daytime Summer Programs
Where can I get more information about your Summer Programs?
Go to the Summer Program webpage for more detailed information.
Read the Questions and Answers about the Summer Programs.
Overnight Summer Programs
Do the Colonial-American Programs include a residential camp?
Yes. (For Residential Summer Camp and Encampments, that is.)
The Colonial Camp promotes good citizenship.
However, we also conduct School Field Trips, Daytime Summer Programs, and other Special Events that are completed during the day. You may conduct an event at one of our sites, or we will bring the Colonial Camp to a site-of-your-choice.
We can either conduct a standard event or you can craft a Program to your specifications.
Call 866.354.6856 for pricing, details, and more specific answers.
What is a typical day at an Overnight Program like?
Before a day begins, the Program Directors create a schedule and a menu--each team has their own separate schedule. The staff meets early in the morning to discuss the plan for the day; at the end of the day they meet to review the day and lessons learned.
The day revolves around five milestone activities: arise out of bed, eat breakfast, eat dinner, eat supper, and go to bed.
Campers rise before breakfast. One team cooks breakfast, one team chops wood, and other teams may perform other chores. There are activities and crafts during the day between meals. In the morning, there is a Proverbs discussion. After dinner, there is a mandatory rest time. Everyone also showers during the day.
In the evening, there may be a special activity, like Capture the Flag, or a hike. Prior to bedtime, there is a reading from Colonial history and awards are presented for the day.
The schedule for a typical day might look like this:
Can campers opt out of activities for which they do not want to participate?
Absolutely.
However, some activities are not optional, like cooking, chores, or the character discussions.
Are there swimming or water activities at the Colonial-American Programs?
No.
What topics are covered during the character discussions?
The character discussions include the Proverbs of Solomon, George Washington's Rules of Civility, or the School of Manners (1701).
The topics emphasized may include: the benefits of hard work and discipline, the need to seek wisdom, obedience to parents, true friendship, accepting wise instruction, personal integrity, and other similar topics.
May campers send and receive mail?
There is a mail call every afternoon; families and friends are welcome and even encouraged to write to campers. Campers are also encouraged to write letters; one of the common activities is to write an actual letter with quill and ink.
It is also acceptable for families and friends to miss beloved campers. Ice cream or a good movie may be used suitably as antidotes.
What sleeping accommodations are provided for campers?
For re-enacting the American Revolution we offer these historically correct wedge tents.
Campers sleep in historically-correct American Revolutionary War era canvas wedge tents. These tents house either two (6' x 7') or six (12' x 12') persons. The tents are waterproofed. Large tents have flys over the doors. This makes it possible to conduct activities under any weather conditions. The tents are also located on earth mounds so that no water can drain into the tent.
There are other tents and tent flys always available for activities, cooking, and eating.
Large officers tents.
Safety, Health, and Security
What is the telephone number for emergency purposes?
See the contact information.
Daytime Field Trip
How can I learn more about the Field Trip program
Read the Questions and Answers about Field Trips.
How do I register for a Field Trip?
Examine the Field Trip webpage to learn more.
Overnight Encampments
I want to participate in an Overnight Encampment. When are they scheduled?
Examine the Encampment webpage for more detailed information.
We conduct two-day/one-night and three-day/two-night Encampments for groups of twenty or more persons. This includes wilderness groups, historical interest groups, families, scouts, church groups, youth groups, etcetera. You are responsible for organizing and registering the individuals in your group. Call Toll-Free at 866.354.6856 for more information.
Accommodations
How do you make the delicious Campfire Fudge?
You should have the correct ingredients, but how you cook it is even more important.
The ingredients are: 8 ounces of chocolate cocoa; 8 ounces of half and half, 8 ounces of light corn syrup, two sticks of butter, 3 pounds of sugar, and a teaspoon of vanilla.
Add ll the ingredients to a pot, except one-half stick of butter and the vanilla, and set over a hot fire. Stir while the pot heats.
Delicious campfire fudge.
The fudge will boil, with rapid bubbling. The fudge will thicken and rise, then as the bubbling begins to slow, the fudge will begin to drop.
Allow the fudge to thicken until the bubbles slow, pop slowly, and form craters around the bubbles.
Remove from the fire, add the vanilla and extra half stick of butter. Stir around the edges and bottom of the pan. When the fudge begins to harden slightly around the edge of the pan, pour into a flat cookie sheet. Let cool, then cut and eat while still warm.
What clothing is provided for participants?
Males use a Colonial shirt.
Females wear a shift (otherwise known as a chemise). It is like a gown -- it is worn as a blouse, an undergarment, and also for nighttime clothing; a petticoat around their waist -- it is pulled up by a drawstring, like a modern skirt; and a wear a pinafore on top of their chemise -- it functions like an apron. In the Eighteenth Century, women would pin their pinafore to their shoulders; however, our pinafores have ties worn around the neck and waist.
Women and mature campers wear a bodice. It is comparable to a modern vest and is worn for modesty.
Where do you get your clothing?
Ms. Ms. Louise Byrd makes all of our Program clothing. Ms. Byrd is 83 years old and loves to sew!
She is retired from working for many years working in the mill industry. She is a wonderful person to visit -- we look forward to visiting with her regularly.
You can know that all of the clothing was made with loving care. Ms. Byrd is a big fan of our Program.
Ms. Louise Byrd, making clothes for the Colonial Camp.
What is a typical menu like at a Colonial-American Program?
This is the actual menu from a day at Summer Camp. The campers chopped the wood; the campers prepared, managed, and maintained the fires; the campers prepared, cooked, served, ate, and cleaned the meal:
Breakfast
- 150 pieces delicious homemade French Toast
- 15 lb. succulent Sausage
- 15 lb. fresh Fruitme
- 1 whole juicy Watermelon
- 1 gallon hot Grits
- 1 gallon warm Oatmeal
- Sweet molasses
- 1 gallon homemade Maple Syrup
- Fresh creamery Butter
- Juicy Raisins
- Sweet Brown Sugar
- Salt and Pepper
Dinner
- 10 lb. spiced Roast Chicken
- 1 gallon fluffy white Rice
- Three Bean Salad
- 2 gallons Dill Pickles
- 30 ears roasted Corn
- Sweet Apple Juice
Looks pretty good, huh?
Supper
- 15 lb. roasted Beef
- 15 lb. creamy Mashed Potato
- 15 lb. fresh Fruit
- 4 lb. crisp Green Beans
- 8 lb. garden Salad
- 1 gallon homemade Salad Dressing
- 12 lb. homemade Campfire Fudge
Colonial Life
What other war did George Washington fight in before the Revolutionary War?
George Washington fought in the French and Indian War.
George Washington became a brigadier general during this war. He was unsatisfied with his treatment by the native British officers, and resigned his commission. The French and Indian War was a precursor to international problems that eventually led to the American Revolution. George Washington's treatment by the British may have played a role in his decision to support the American Patriots.
Who was the commanding officer at the Battle of Cowpens?
It was Colonel Banastre "Bloody" Tarleton.
What Revolutionary War battles were fought in the state of North Carolina?
Some of the battles were the Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge, the Battle of Guilford Courthouse, the Battle of Alamance, the Battle of Kings Mountain, the Battle of Charlotte, and the Battle of Colson's Mill. There were other battles in North Carolina.
Who was the Swamp Fox?
Francis Marion, the Swamp Fox, used methods of guerrilla warfare against the British.
How far can a dog run into the woods?
A dog can only run halfway into the woods. Afterwards, he is no longer running into the woods. He is running out of the woods.
What is a Yankee Doodle?
A yankee is a country person. A doodle is a foolish or a lazy person.
How old did you have to be to fight in the Revolutionary War?
Combatants in the Revolutionary War were as young as 10 years old.
What camp calls were used in the Revolutionary War?
There were many camp calls used in a military context. These calls were used to communicate orders to troops. They included calls to advance, retreat, turn right, turn left, load the musket, and fire the musket. There were calls to eat, get water, assemble, march, get up, go to bed, assemble for inspection, and for emergencies. There were many other camp calls.
What is the difference between a rifle and a musket?
Firearms with a smooth bore are muskets. Firearms with a corkscrew groove are called rifles, because the groove is called rifling. Muskets were used in battle, because they were typically faster and easier to load.
What is a flintlock?
A flintlock is a firearm that uses a piece of flint to ignite the charge. The flint strikes a piece of metal, called a frizzen, that produces a spark.
I have two coins that add up to thirty cents, and one of them is not a nickel. What are the two coins?
I have a quarter and a nickel. One of them is not a nickel, but the other one is a nickel.
If I have two apples and I take one away, how many apples do I have left?
I still have two apples.
What gets bigger the more you take out of it?
A hole gets bigger the more you take out of it.
Some months have 30 days. Some months have 31 days. How many months have 28 days?
12. (All of the months have 28 days. Is there a May 28?)
The Seneca war-chief, Cornplanter.
Do they have July the Fourth in England?
Yes. It comes right after July 3, and before July 5, each year.
Who was Molly Pitcher?
Mary Hays McCauly was the wife of John Hays, who was part of a team that fired cannons. It was her responsibility to bring pitchers of water to the soldiers during battle. They would drink the water and use it to cool the gun and artillery barrels.
During the Battle of Monmouth (New Jersey, June 28, 1778), her husband collapsed. She took over his position helping to fire the cannon! It was particularly legendary for a female to participate in battle during the Revolutionary War. General George Washington took special note. He issued her a warrant as a non-commissioned officer, and she was nicknamed "Sergeant Molly."
"Molly" became famous as a war hero. Because she carried pitchers of water to soldiers, she became known as "Molly Pitcher" in the popular imagination. A sculpture still stands at the battle monument today.
Who were Roger's Rangers?
Robert Rogers commanded a force during the French and Indian War (1755-63). He was given a commission by the British because of his experience fighting against the Indians in remote areas.
His Rangers were known for their unconventional tactics and bravery.
What is the style of scalloping (trim) that you have around your marquis tents?
That particular style of scalloping is named "George Washington Scalloping" -- it is the style used on the tents of our first President.
Why did the early flag have thirteen stars?
The thirteen stars of the first American flag represent the thirteen original colonies. Although later flags contain larger number of stars, they retain the thirteen stripes in recognition of those same original colonies.
