Youth to Ride into Local History

Joyce Thierer and Ann Birney with Ride Into History were in North Platte recently to train volunteers working with Chautauqua youth programs and to scope out local resources for the program. Up to 25 youth participants, ages fourth through eighth grade, will become Chautauquans through a model that instructs them to research, create, and present as accurately as possible historical figures from their community. The focus this year is figures from the 1930s.

Participants will take part of a five-day camp that begins on Monday and runs through Friday during Chautauqua week. Camp runs each day from 1-5PM, except for Friday. On Friday camp will run from 1-7 PM and participants will bring their character to full bloom by presenting on stage and in costume under the Chautauqua tent.  Ride Into History, a historical performance-touring troupe, leads the Youth Chautauqua Day Camp.

Local youth will also have the opportunity to participate in three other Chautauqua programs designed specifically for them. Youth will be able to participate in the Dear Eleanor, Dear Michelle, Making Murals with Folktales and Iconic Images programs.

Iconic Images:  Then and Now: A high school program offered in advance of Chautauqua. The photography program teaches students about photography techniques and about the WPA photographers of the 1930s.  Students will take modern day “iconic images” of their community and will share their photos on the Chautauqua website and in an exhibition during Chautauqua week.

Dear Eleanor, Dear Michelle: This workshop for ages 8 and up will introduce children to life in the 1930s and will conclude with all participants writing a letter to the current first lady.

Making Murals with Folktale:  How Butterflies Were Made:This all-ages workshop, led by Wanda Schell, combines folktales with art, as children create a mural based on a folktale collected by Zora Neale Hurston.

There are no charges for youth to participate in these programs.