The Antietam Battlefield is located just 20 minutes from our home and was offering a "Junior Ranger" program on the last Saturday in April. It had been a while since we had taken the kids so we thought this was a good reason to go back. We started off with a scavenger hunt, looking for different items and symbols around the battlefield and on the various cannons positioned throughout the area. After completing the scavenger hunt, they were awarded with "official" Antietam Junior Ranger Badges (that they ended up wearing most of the day...they were pretty proud of those things!)
Then it was time for the shooting demonstrations, complete with several Civil War reenactors. They demonstrated the steps you would go through in firing a Civil War style musket, and then they gave each child a wooden musket to try out...
Landon was especially pleased when the instructor gave him the "best handler" nod for that day!
Nolan was terrified of the real muskets firing, but when he realized the wooden ones wouldn't make that loud bang, he was all over them!
After the muskets, we headed over to the cannons where we learned about each step that went into firing it. Abby was in charge of cleaning the cannon out and then pushing "the cannon ball" down into the chamber...
Then Landon got to pull the string that ignited the cannon and yelled "FIRE!" (He loved that!!)
Of course Nolan wanted in on the action too!!
It was a great way to enjoy one of the many historical sites in this area as well as the beautiful spring weather!!
1 comment:
When we went to Gettysburg it was really fun for the kids to get to do that and learn the 9 steps to firing the gun. I am sure you enjoyed the spring weather also. Ours was in July when it was MUCH hotter.
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