History Camp takes children back in time

FAIRFIELD — Dozens of determined young boys and girls are currently joining the ranks of Johnston's Army — even though the army originally marched into the Cedar Valley in 1861.

They're traveling back in time when they come to Fairfield to participate in one of the day history camps hosted by Camp Floyd State Park officials.

They learn to march, shoot and live just like the soldiers who set up camp in the dusty fields outside the Cedar Valley town almost 150 years ago.

They make candles, pitch tents, create bricks out of mud and write letters with quill pens and ink.

They build outhouses.

They play simple games such as jacks and hoops.

They clean and load wooden muskets.

They learn about first aid and hear stories about those who survived the hardships of life in the military in the pre-Civil War era.

"They come in, they're civilians at first and then recruited into the Army," said park ranger Mark Trotter. "They do all the things the soldiers did, except they are furloughed each night to go home."

The camp is for boys and girls ages 8-11, with only 24 participants accepted during each of the three camp periods. A reservation is required, and Trotter said the first two sold out early.

"Last year we only did one, and it was so popular we're doing three this summer," Trotter said. "The kids come in. They're sworn in at noon on Thursday. On Friday, they practice drills and set up camp. They get news of the Mormon Rebellion and they march to Utah."

On Saturday, the Pony Express rider comes in and they get mail. They learn to shoot and participate in a battle with the Civil War re-enactment association."

Trotter said there's some fun written into the schedule and some surprises.

For instance, when the "soldiers" march to Utah, they arrive to find rebels have set their provisions on fire.

Trotter, his assistant, Eldon Fletcher, and assorted volunteers dress in period costume and take their roles seriously as they teach and help the youngsters understand the times and limitations. "There's no electricity," Fletcher said. "There's no 7-Eleven or Wal-Mart nearby."

The soldiers are paid in Union dollars they can later spend at the commissary.

They each receive a haversack, a canteen and a kepi cap when they're issued their enlistment papers and rank.