WREG
Students get a taste of life in Civil War military encampments
By Associated Press
9:29 AM CDT, July 11, 2010
WASHINGTON, Miss. (AP) — With the 150th anniversary of the start of rhe Civil War coming in 2011, students from Louisiana and Mississippi got a three-day drill on what camp life was like for the average soldier.

The annual Civil War Adventure Camp, held recentlly at historic Jefferson College near Natchez, brought together 8-12-year-old boys and girls for interaction with history buffs and others.

The creation of H. Clark Burkett, a historian with the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, the camp didn't focus on the political and social issues that spawned the war or have continued since it ended in 1865.

But it did give the students a sense of the rigors of daily life for Union and Confederate troops who fought in the conflict.

personal/teacher commentary:
In the article it states how the students are given the opportunity to live as a Confederate or Union soldier lived during one of the most horrific times of American history. During the three day event, students interact with history buffs and other persons that truley enjoy this period of history. I feel this allows for students get to see first-hand how education can be fun and in some instances, just for the sake of knowing information. It is not often where one gets the pleasure of seeing learning in action as we tend to stick with text only learning style.
I found the fact that the camp did not focus on politics or social issues quite refreshing, as sometimes these "facts" tend to lean more toward opinion. By just allowing for students to experience what the soldiers endured , they will get more of a personal experience.