Archi-Camp 2011

I just realized that I never posted about my other experience with day camp in Thomasville this summer. If you never heard of History Camp, I can believe you probably have never heard of Architecture Camp either! But it does exist. Thomasville Landmarks partnered with the Thomasville Resource Center to put on a three day camp teaching some kids about the unique architecture in Thomasville. Granted, I worked for the Historical Society at the Museum of History, but I still got recruited to help with Landmarks' "Archi-Camp" nonetheless. Monday, the kids came to the Museum where I gave them a tour of the 1860 log-house and to take measurements of the 1910 Flowers' Playhouse. After snacks, I took the kids across the street to the 1885 Lapham-Patterson House. Here I gave them a brief tour of this whimsical Queen Anne home, pointing out all the unique architectural details. The kids then went out front to the sidewalk and made sidewalk art with chalk. They picked out their favorite architectural detail of the house and then drew it on the sidewalk. I wish I had pictures on my camera-phone, but I do not, so I can't share them with you. Sorry because the kids did a really bang up job with that project.

1885 Lapham-Patterson House

I did such a fabulous job helping out with camp on Monday, I was recruited to help give a downtown tour to the kids the next day. So off we went in 100+ degree heat roaming the streets of Thomasville, doing a scavenger hunt for things like "dental moldings" and "keystones".

The kids looking for items on their scavenger hunt

After returning from downtown came my favorite part of the day....snack time! We had the kids build and "design" their own cupcake houses. Here are a few pictures of them hard at work.

And here was my creation that I made. I thought I did a cute job. But it was really nice to be able to enjoy my handiwork--you know by eating it.

One of the highlights of participating in Archi Camp, besides getting to be around some really awesome children, was being able to tour the Episcopal Church. I had never been to this particular church in town and it was absolutely gorgeous. I wish I had taken more pictures, but I had a kid on each arm wanting to hold my hand the whole time, so I didn't get too many pictures!

One cool thing was this swiveling door.

I had no idea it was a door. It just looked like a big wooden panel. But it is a secret little door. Super cool. But the best part was seeing the stained glass windows. And I apologize because I don't have close ups of the windows. The church was established in 1868 and I believe the church building was built either in the mid 1880s or early 1890s (i can't remember) But the stained glass windows are phenomenal. They were made by Louis Comfort Tiffany himself. It was neat to really learn what makes Tiffany stained glass so unique.

So that was my experience with the 1st annual Archi Camp. If you {care} want to see more pictures or learn more about Thomasville Landmarks, you can visit their website at www.thomasvillelandmarks.org. There is a great picture of me and all the kids on the porch of the Lapham-Patterson House on the front page of the website.