Fun at the Fort Busts Summer Boredom

Fort Concho’s “Fun at the Fort” aims to put boredom out of business this summer. This year’s edition of children’s programming touches on six topics, spanning from cowboys to Indians.

All but one of the one-day sessions are from 9:30 a.m. until noon at the fort, 630 S. Oakes St., and all but one caters to ages 6-12. The “Tracing Your Roots” genealogy course will be from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. and will be for ages 8-14. Each session costs $12 or $15 per child, depending upon whether the family is a Fort Concho member. All classes include snacks and souvenirs.

Space is limited, so participants are encouraged to register early at the fort. Registration forms are also available at fortconcho.com. The schedule of programs includes:

• Join the Infantry! on Tuesday, July 12. Enlist for a day of marching, drilling and sampling rations. Taught by Paul Cook, one of Fort Concho’s Buffalo Soldiers.
• Digging in the Dirt on Thursday, July 14. Dig for clues of how the Concho Valley’s earliest peoples lived. Plus, create rock art and make a medicine bag. Taught by members of the Concho Valley Archaeology Society.
• Plants and Pioneers on Tuesday, July 19. Learn about medicinal, edible and useful Texas plants and engage in clever craft projects. Taught by Susan Perry of the Native Plant Society.
• Southwest Indians on Wednesday, July 20. Visit a tepee, sample Indian foods and create Native American crafts. Taught by local historian Joyce Gray.
• Tracing Your Roots on Tuesday, July 20. Dig into your past by charting your family tree using research and genealogy techniques. (Bring names of parents and grandparents.) Taught by local historian Joyce Gray.
• Home on the Range on Friday, July 22. Learn about the cowboy’s frontier life by making western crafts, preparing homemade biscuits and butter, and weaving a rope.

For more information, contact Special Events Coordinator Carol Cummings at Fort Concho, 325-657-4441, or [email protected].