York Town News
Summer fun is a blast from the past at Old York
By Jennifer L. Saunders
Junior Docents Sammy Stocks and Erin Tainor are seen here preparing a meal at the open hearth with Old York Education staff member Maureen Hayward. Old York's other Junior Docents are Emily Rumble, Mallory Evans, Sarah Baker, Zach Bald, Allison Gilmer, Katie Berlin, Shelly Potter, Abby and Andrew Boisvert, Tori Stocks, Danny Bottino, Jessica Kofman and Lancy Downs.
Courtesy photo
YORK VILLAGE - It's the perfect time to be a kid at Old York Historical Society.
That is, of course, if the chance to go back in time is something your child would like to try.
Old York is inviting children between the ages of five and 12 years to join its team of educators and junior docents for this year's full slate of activities: Morning Adventures.
This series of 90-minute workshops, with options for children ages five to seven years old or from eight to 12, has been underway for most of the month, but Old York Education Director Anne Poubeau promises there is much more to come.
For example, tomorrow morning, Thursday, July 27, you need go no farther than the Old Gaol to take that adage from the family favorite "Monopoly" and make it real in a special Morning Adventure entitled "Go Straight to Jail."
Poubeau explained that this year's events have been moved to the morning hours to accommodate families who would prefer to spend their afternoons on the beach.
Thursday's event will begin at 10:30 a.m. and last until noon and, as Poubeau put it in this particular adventure, if you like "dark places, cobwebs and spooky stories" and you're between the ages of eight and 12, it's the event you've been waiting for.
If you're looking for more time at Old York, the "Acting Out the Past" weeklong camp for children between the ages of eight and 12 begins July 31. Campers will learn theatrical techniques and "become" people who lived in York more than 100 years ago.
The camp continues through Aug. 4 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and the cost is $100 for Old York members and $120 for non-members. Reservations are required. If experiencing the past through food, games and clothing sounds like fun to you, you'll want to call Old York at 363-4974, extension 12 as space is limited.
But not to worry if that's not your cup of tea. There are many more Morning Adventures in August - including a special event with a breakfast theme.
First things first, though.
There's Little Games of the Past for the five- to seven-year-olds on Aug. 8 and Games of the Past on Aug. 10 for children between the ages of eight and 12.
Or, if you prefer, join in some watery fun on Aug. 15 for Little River Rats' Adventures and find out where Tricky the Pirate hid his treasure. There's River Rats' Adventures for older children, too, on Aug. 17 with fish prints, scrimshaw and more.
And back to that talk of food and drink, if it's something sweet you're craving, you'll want to sign up for Brunch at Bessie's for Little Kids on Aug. 22 or Big Kids Brunch at Bessie's on Aug. 24.
These end-of-the-summer parties at the Elizabeth "Bessie" Perkins House are for kids only, and will feature snacks on the porch and much more.
The cost for each Morning Adventure is $10 for Old York members and $13 for non-members. Call Old York in advance at 363-4974 as reservations are required.
There's also fun for the whole family - for those under five and over 12 - with Old York's Magical Mystery Tour of the Emerson Wilcox House, each Tuesday through Friday at 10 a.m.
This special family tour includes hands-on activities and is led by Old York's Junior Docents at a cost of just $5 for adults and $3 for children, with a special family rate of $10 for two adults with one or more children. The tours are free to Old York members and those who hold "All Old York Buildings" tickets.
For more on what's new and all there is to do at Old York, visit www.oldyork.org.
