The program, held at the historic schoolhouse on the fairgrounds, runs two sessions this month. The Tuesday session has concluded, with a few spots remaining for Thursday from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Each session accepts up to 15 students.

Local families that turned out for the event included Jeanine McMahon with her two daughters Evelyn and Cecilia.

Jessie Sobania brought three of her children, including Finley, Isla, and Ezra. Christina Miller Koester, who leads the camp, participated with her own children Teckla, and Henry.

Many children wore period-inspired clothing. Some families thrifted outfits while others purchased bonnets from the museum.

Children take turns jumping rope during outdoor recess at the One Room Schoolhouse camp. (Photo by Amy Zents)

Koester is leading the camp for the second year.

“I knew what worked well last year and what needed to be updated,” she said. “It’s going really well.”

The camp has been running in some form for about 10 years. Koester attended as a child and has been in charge for the past two years.

“It was good to know that so many people were going to be family and friends, people I know,” she said. “Just as an intro day, because on Thursday it’ll be a lot of kids they don’t know. So now I’ll feel even more prepared.”

Activities included recess games such as twirl the platter, jump rope, and marbles. Isla Sobania said the yo-yo was her favorite. Children also made whirligigs from buttons and string and thaumatropes  optical toys that create the illusion of motion.

Christina Miller Koester demonstrates the game of "Graces," using two sticks to toss a hoop for campers to catch, during outdoor recess at the One Room Schoolhouse camp. (Photo by Jeanine McMahon)

Henry Koester demonstrated the thaumatrope. He explained that one side of the disc showed the front yard and the other a tie-dye red bunny. When spun quickly on a string, the two images appeared to combine into a single moving picture.

“If the retina sees one image, it stays on your retina for a fraction of a second after it’s removed,” Christina Koester said, explaining the science. “So we’ve got a picture on both sides, but if you spin it, the images blend together.”

The day featured a history lesson set in 1867, just a few years after the Civil War and President Abraham Lincoln’s assassination. Lincoln’s portrait hangs in the schoolhouse. Students practiced copy work on slates, spelling words, and quill-and-ink writing.

The original Leavenworth Township schoolhouse, used until 1961, provided an authentic setting with its wooden desks and maps. Koester said the experience helps children appreciate simpler times.

 “My hope for the kids is that they are able to enjoy this experience for its simplicity,” Koester said. “They are being raised in such a fast-paced world. A piece of string and a button can keep a child interested and engaged.”

Jessie Sobania (center) helps children create button whirligigs and other handmade toys during the summer camp

McMahon, who moved to New Ulm from Winsted about five years ago, said it was a great opportunity for her children. 

Koester noted the weather was much better than last year’s heat. “Today is beautiful,” she said.

The Brown County Historical Society also offers the Heritage Chores Camp on Wednesday, August 13 at the Kiesling House. That program focuses on daily pioneer tasks such as washing laundry on a washboard, gardening, picking vegetables, and new this year: spaetzle making.

Koester encouraged families to register soon for the remaining Thursday session. The day’s schedule includes 10:30 a.m. recess with games and whirligigs, 11:45 a.m. butter making and lunch, the 1 p.m. spelling bee, and 1:15 p.m. relay races.

The One Room Schoolhouse camp gives children a chance to experience local history through hands-on activities. It continues a tradition of connecting new generations with New Ulm’s pioneer heritage.

For registration or more information, contact the Brown County Historical Society. The museum is closed on Mondays.