Camp Flintlock's Colonial Faire

By Jamie Strickland

FOUR OAKS —Visitors of all ages enjoyed a multisensory glimpse back in time at Camp Flintlock’s annual Colonial Faire, where they got to see, hear, taste, smell and touch items from our nation’s founding days.

Noses were filled with the scent of gunpowder and smoke as staff demonstrated rifle and cannon fire with authentic weapons from the Revolutionary War era.

Taste buds enjoyed beef stew cooked over a fire pit and served from a cauldron, as well as authentically made hoppin’ john and vegetables.

Children’s little fingers made necklaces from beads, practiced writing with a quill and tried out toys that colonial era children would have played with. They felt the length and weight of mock-rifles as they marched around the camp, soldier style.

They heard the sounds of the cannon boom and the music of the fife and drum as they marched, sampled, made crafts and played. They saw and tried on colorful clothing and accessories that would have been worn at the time, and items like yarn and corn husks that were used to create dolls and toys.

“We just try to keep history alive,” said Adam Young, Camp Flintlock’s assistant director. “We teach children, preserve history, and promote patriotism. If we can inspire them when they’re young and they develop a love for it, those kids will be our next historians and teachers.”

George Langdon served up Colonial style beef stew that was slow cooked onsite.

Lisa Saad of The National Society of the Children of the American Revolution demonstrated popular children’s toys from the era.

Camp Flintlock staff member Lee Sorenson helps Abby Donnellan of Clayton try on clothing that would have been worn by young girls in Colonial times.

Camp Flintlock hosts field trips, summer camps and other educational activities throughout the year.

Find out more at campflintlock.com.