sailorssoldiers& free people

2011 AFS Summer Humanities SeriesEnrichment programs for ages 11-18A Whale of a Tale: Reading Moby Dick and Experiencing the World of the Sailor

Revolutionary Philadelphia: The Inside story

Gettysburg: Reel to Real

Fashioning Their Own America: The African-American Experience inEarly 19th-century Philadelphia

A Whale of a Tale: ReadingMoby Dick and Experiencing the Worldof the Sailor (Ages 13-18)

June 30-July 15$1,500

Ahoy, all you readers and would-be sailors! Have you ever reada novel and just wanted to live it? You know what I mean: tobecome one of the characters, take part in the quest or theromance, to feel the breeze and salt water hitting your face as youhoist that topsail? If you have, this is your chance to sign onfor a whale of an adventure. We’ll read one of the greatest novelsof American literature,Moby Dick by Herman Melville, andimmerse ourselves in the historical, social and economic realmthat spawned it. Specifically we’ll focus on the island ofNantucket since it ruled the Seven Seas and dominated thewhaling industry. Beyond the blubber and wealth of Nantucket,however, we will delve into the fascinating convergence ofwhales, women, Quakers, African Americans, Pacific Islanders,capitalists, sailors and adventurers. At the same time, you’ll learnto sail on a small sailboat on the Cooper River, NJ, and then wejourney to New London, CT. From there, we’ll cast off on athree-day sail as we work and experience life on a tall ship insearch of the great white whale. This is your chance to read a taleof the high seas and recreate the experience by sailing and settingout on an adventure. This is a one-of-a-kind chance that noone—landlubber or sailor—should miss! Come join us for twoamazing and intense weeks as we chase the whale!

Instructed by: Don Kaplan, master English and history teacher of 14 years,

degrees from Guilford College and the University of South Carolina, and a

participant of the Ocean Classroom for Teachers.

Gettysburg:Reel to Real (Ages 13-18)

July 25-29$400

In summer of 1863, the Confederate Army of NorthernVirginia and the Union Army of the Potomac clashed inthe small town of Gettysburg, PA. In what would beknown as the largest battle ever seen in the westernhemisphere, places like Devils Den, the PeachOrchard, the Wheatfield, Little Round Top and CemeteryRidge would become hallowed ground as many youngAmericans made the supreme sacrifice for their cause.Men with names like Lee, Pickett, Longstreet, Reynoldsand Chamberlain would live on in history books thatrecall the roles each played in deciding the mostfamous battle of the Civil War. Using Michael Shaara’sKiller Angels and the critically acclaimed movieGettysburg, this camp will examine the men, eventsand importance of the three-day battle. Discussions,projects and simulations will culminate with anovernight trip to Gettysburg where participants willcamp out under the stars on the battlefield. While there,campers will spend two days exploring, sketching,photographing and journaling about this historic event.Don’t miss this amazing opportunity to seize the highground, repel the charge and listen for that infamousrebel yell as we go “Reel to Real” in Gettysburg.

Instructed by Matt Slagter, Language Department Chair, and

Latin teacher of 25 years, degrees from Northwestern University,

University of Chicago, Bryn Mawr College, and long-time

amateur Civil War historian.

Courses offered in the Summer Humanities Series are specifically

designed and instructed by the master teachers of Abington Friends School.

These courses are for a limited number of campers who are looking for an

experiential, stimulating and enriching summer, unlike anything they have

done in the past. The four discrete units of the 2011 series, entitled

“Sailors, Soldiers and Free People,” will take our campers through the

streets of Colonial and early 19th-century Philadelphia, the deck of a whaling

schooner out of New London, CT and the battlefield at Gettysburg, PA.

RevolutionaryPhiladelphia:The Inside story (Ages 11-13)

July 11-15$350

On an evening in 1778 in the “City of Brotherly Love,”James Wilson, one of the signers of the Declaration ofIndependence was nearly tarred and feathered by eitheran angry mob of rabble-rousers or a group of law-abiding citizens gathered to protest the high price offlour. This much is known for sure, when localmilitiamen showed up a riot ensued. Fortunately forJames Wilson, he escaped the incident without harm.The story of James Wilson is one of many local talesthat are revealed in “Revolutionary Philadelphia: TheInside Story.” In this week-long exploration we will findand expose the full story of Revolutionary Philadelphiaas we answer questions like: how did Philadelphianscelebrate the 1st Independence Day? What was life likewhen the British Army occupied the city? When wasPhiladelphia the country’s first capital? Along the way,you’ll meet and impersonate young Philadelphians wholived through the Revolution: James Forten, SarahWister, Sarah Logan, Robert Morton and others. You’llalso visit historic sites in Center City, Germantown andFort Mifflin; re-enact the “Battle of Fort Wilson” and theMeschianza, make paper and print your own handbills,cook up some delicious pepperpot, RevolutionaryPhiladelphia’s famous street food, and much more.

Instructed by Margaret Guerra, master history teacher of 15

years, degrees from Williams College and the University of

Pennsylvania, and a participant of NEH summer program,

“Revolutionary Philadelphia.”

Fashioning Their OwnAmerica: The African-AmericanExperience in Early 19th-centuryPhiladelphia (Ages 13-18)

July 18-22$350

You’ve heard of such famous Philadelphians as BenFranklin, Betsy Ross and John Bartram, but do you alsoknow Richard Allen, Absalom Jones, Sarah Forten or SarahDouglass? And everybody knows Philadelphia was thecrucible of the American Revolution. But, after theRevolution, did you know that it was also a hotbed ofAfrican-American activism. In fact, did you know thatPhiladelphia had the largest free black community northof the Mason-Dixon Line? In the early 19th-century, BlackPhiladelphians founded Mother Bethel AME Church,actively debated American colonization of Liberia andmaintained a thriving black business community. Nowis your chance to deepen and expand your knowledgeof the full history of Philadelphia, the experiences ofAfrican-American Philadelphians from 1790 through theCivil War. We will fill our days with discussions, debates,reenactments, visiting experts and trips to local sites aswe immerse ourselves in the rich story that is The Cityof Brotherly Love. Join us as we discover just howthese people fashioned their own America right herein Philadelphia.

Instructed by Margaret Guerra, master history teacher of 15 years,

degrees from Williams College and the University of Pennsylvania,

and a participant of NEH summer program, “Revolutionary

Philadelphia.” Also instructed by Don Kaplan, master English and

history teacher of 14 years, degrees from Guilford College and the

University of South Carolina.

We’re planning these grand adventures for campers who relish making

the past come alive; won’t you join us and be one of the lucky few?

Remember, space is limited.

Call now to reserve your passport to the past: 215-576-3996

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575 Washington Lane / Jenkintown, PA 19046215-576-3996 / www.abingtonfriends.net