Root Camp

05/08/2023

We want to share the news that Root Camp will not be held this June. We will have more updates on exciting future programs and family events coming soon.

06/06/2022

Space still available for Root Camp 2022!

This year we are offering a new evening program running from 6:00-8:30 PM Monday through Thursday (June 20-23) Campers ages 6-12 will learn about ghost town of Singapore and Summer Solstice: the shortest night and longest day of the year!

Same great Root Camp traditions with songs, snacks, history, and science/nature programs now in an evening format.

Register online through our website or message for more information: https://sdhistoricalsociety.org/current/rootcamp/rootcampapp.php

03/02/2022

Save the Date! Root Camp 2022 is back!

This year we are offering a new evening program running from 6:00-8:30 PM Monday through Thursday (June 20-23) Campers ages 6-12 will learn about ghost town of Singapore and Summer Solstice: the shortest night and longest day of the year!

Same great Root Camp traditions with songs, snacks, history, and science/nature programs now in an evening format.

Registration opening soon! Watch this space and other SDHC channels for more information coming this week.

04/21/2021

Root Camp 2021 is back! Join us June 21-24th for this half day camp for youth ages 6-11.

During the four days of Root Camp, young campers will learn about the history of the forests and lumber industry at the Lakeshore, see historic tools used in woodworking, learn how artists create wooden sculpture, experience animal power demonstrations, and experience the fizzy science behind natural root beer soft drinks. Campers will also visit the Root Beer Barrel for a celebratory treat!

Due to enthusiastic response from campers returning from 2020, THE AM SESSION OF ROOT CAMP HAS FILLED. There is availability in the afternoon group (1-4 PM) at this time. Thank you!

Register online on our website here:
https://sdhistoricalsociety.org/current/rootcamp/index.php

05/21/2020

The Saugatuck-Douglas History Center has officially postponed Root Camp for this 2020 season. We have rescheduled the program for June 21-24, 2021. Please check back here for updates on family programs later this summer and fall.

We know many of you were counting on this experience as a break from your home routines. (Us too.) After much thought and deliberation, however, we all agreed that we could not continue with the program this year given the uncertainty around health risks for our campers, staff, volunteers, and the community we all love so much.

Families who had registered should have received an email today. Please contact us at [email protected] with any questions and concerns.

02/28/2020

Hello Root Campers: spread the word about Winterfest this Saturday, 2/29!

Also note that we have just a few spots left for Root Camp 2020! Sign up today and invite a friend for a great time this June 22-26.

Tomorrow's the day for Douglas Winterfest! Come out from noon to 3 PM this Saturday, 2/29 to see the sled dogs and warm up with a wintry stroll through our Robert Fort, Michigan Artist exhibit while stopping in at Berry Field for smores, the library scavenger hunting, and Douglas Elementary for fun and games!

02/10/2020

We've had outstanding response to this year's Root Camp: the Morning Session is now full! Please contact the History Center if your child would like to attend but you are unable to make the afternoon session.

01/10/2020

Announcing dates for this year’s Root Camp!

June 22-25, 2020

12/03/2019

Please consider supporting the SDHC on and share with friends! Thank you for supporting Root Camp and the History Center.

08/12/2019

A fun event that may appeal to our Root Camp friends.

You're invited to come out of your shell and get "Up Close And Wild" with Michigan Wildlife, presented by the Outdoor Discovery Center this Tuesday, August 13th.

A great program for all ages, the one-hour program begins when the school bell rings at 11 a.m. at the Saugatuck-Douglas History Center Old School House campus at 130 Center Street in Douglas.

Presenter Joy Funk, Chief Naturalist for ODC Network, will introduce her audience to examples of our area's wildlife, bringing a cast of live reptiles, amphibians and birds to show and discuss, with focus on their unique characteristics and how they fit into our diverse ecosystems. Hands-on artifacts including skins, skulls, wings, feathers and talons of several species native to Michigan will be available to explore.

The ODC (Outdoor Discovery Center) Network is a non-profit education and conservation organization founded in the year 2000 with the mission to connect people with nature through outdoor education for the benefit of wildlife and conservation of the natural world. Since then, the organization has served more than 200,000 children and adults through outdoor education and recreation programs, with some 75,000 people annually visiting ODC Network sites to walk the trails and view the wildlife.

A summertime tradition since 1996, SDHC's weekly Tuesday Talks present entertaining and informative insights into local community life throughout July and August.

Tuesday Talks increasing popularity puts limited seating on "first-come, first-served" basis. While admission is free for current SDHC members, non-member guests are encouraged to attend with a donation of five dollars, or to become new members at the Talk.