Middle School Campers with Leaders of Tomorrow Program visit museum

Photo By Max Lonzanida | Museum Educator AJ Orlikoff (pictured standing behind the desk) hands out prizes to middle school campers with the Leaders of Tomorrow. (US Navy Photo by Civilian Public Affairs Officer Max Lonzanida/Released)  

NORFOLK, VIRGINIA, UNITED STATES

07.19.2018

Story by Max Lonzanida  

Naval History and Heritage Command

The Hampton Roads Naval Museum is situated on the second deck of Nauticus. Groups of visitors trickle in throughout the day to explore over 240 years of Naval history, and dedicated volunteer docents are always eager to take visitors around. This Thursday afternoon was different, as nearly 30 middle school campers full of energy and curiosity arrived for a visit.

The energetic group was from the Leaders of Tomorrow Program, a component of the non-profit Garden of Hope Community Development Corporation. Sharon Houston, the Program’s Deputy Director and camp counselors corralled campers into groups for a guided tour of the museum. She indicated that the camp is an eight-week program for students that are enrolled in Norfolk Public Schools. Their program teaches campers about the components of government, family, economics, and education. The group takes field trips every Thursday, and thus far they have visited the nation’s capital, toured homes with a realtor, visited area colleges, and spent a day splashing around at a local water park. The camp is entirely free of charge, much like a visit to the museum.

The visit was coordinated by Elijah Palmer, the museum’s Deputy Education Director. The campers were divided into two groups, and were treated to guided tours with museum educator AJ Orlikoff and volunteer coordinator Darcy Sink. Campers peered through glass to catch a glimpse of the museum’s Battle of the Atlantic diorama, and learned the significance of the Enigma code. They learned the significance of steam power while looking at detailed models in the Battle of Hampton Roads exhibit, and learned about naval contributions on both sides of the Civil War. Campers got a chance to look at maps of the area, get an up close look at a War of 1812 cannon, peered through glass to see the minute details of an octant, and had the opportunity to try on some uniforms. The immersive learning didn’t stop with a tour; campers broke up in teams to do a scavenger hunt where they eagerly searched for answers within the museum’s exhibits. Groups completed the scavenger hunt in record time, and each camper received a prize at conclusion of the afternoon’s visit. Houston said this was her first visit to the museum, and she hopes that the campers would return with their parents to look through the gallery again.

About the museum:

The Hampton Roads Naval Museum is one of ten Navy museums that are operated by the Naval History & Heritage Command. It celebrates the long history of the U.S. Navy in the Hampton Roads region of Virginia and is co-located with Nauticus in downtown Norfolk, Virginia. Admission to the museum is free, just by-pass the ticket line and take the elevator or stairs to the museum on the second deck. The museum offers free educational programs, including an engaging LEGO outreach for area schools, presentations aligned with state standards of learning, and a travelling sea chest program. To inquire, contact Laura Orr, Education Director at [e-mail] or at [phone]. To inquire about volunteering at the museum, contact Darcy Sink, Volunteer Coordinator at [phone].

• Date Taken: 07.19.2018
• Date Posted: 07.19.2018 16:39
• Story ID: 284973
• Location: NORFOLK, VIRGINIA, US