“Anthropologists in the Making” Summer Camp Returns to the Penn Museum

Camp Offers Weekly Themes June 29 through August 21, 2015

PHILADELPHIA, PA— This summer, adventurous children ages 7 through 13 can experience a unique day camp that takes them through time and across continents at the Penn Museum (University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology) on Penn's campus in Philadelphia.

"Anthropologists in the Making" runs eight theme-oriented one-week sessions from June 29-August 21, 2015. Each week culminates in a Friday afternoon showcase, where parents and friends are invited and where campers demonstrate all they've discovered through creative displays and interactive presentations. Details about the popular camp can be found online: www.penn.museum/camp. Online registration opens February 15 via the website.

Children may attend one or more of this year's weekly-themed programs:

Session 1: June 29–July 2 Americas, the Beautiful no camp on Friday, July 3
Explore North America, South America, and the countries in between through music, dance, art, and artifacts. Make Pueblo pottery designs, learn a Brazilian dance and more. Go behind-the-scenes when you view objects from the American section not on view. At the Showcase of Learning, curate a gallery presentation for family and friends.

Session 2: July 6–July 10 Animals of Ancient Egypt
Baboons, and falcons, and cats. . . oh my! Explore all-things animal of the ancient Egyptian world. Learn about pets and farm animals, animal mummies, cat goddesses, and more. Chat with an Egyptologist and see artifacts from ancient Egypt not on view. Craft a tomb mural, a cat mummy, a papyrus book, and more.

Session 3: July 13–17 I Dig Anthropology
Biological anthropology, cultural anthropology, linguistic anthropology, and archaeology make up the branches of anthropology. Participate in activities that celebrate all four fields, from excavating a simulated dig site, to learning the development of the alphabet, to studying the social organizations of families around the world. Chat with a physical anthropologist and visit an archaeological lab.

Session 4: July 20–July 24 A Sailor's Life for Me
The conquest of new lands, a desire for exploration, and a longing for wealth have led humans throughout time to set sail across oceans and seas. Discover the fabled Spice Route and the Panama Canal. Learn how the Vikings raided and traded in places as far away as Constantinople and make a Viking helmet. Discuss the Titanic and other famous ship wrecks.

Session 5: July 27–July 31 Mummy Mania
Get to know mummies from and beyond the land of Egypt. Make a Roman mummy portrait, create a Peruvian mummy bundle, and a design a mask inspired by a Maori mummy. Visit In the Artifact Lab: Conserving Egyptian Mummies and chat with an Egyptologist. You just might even touch a mummy!

Session 6: August 3–August 7 Celebrate Good Times
Join in the party! Celebrate seasonal, religious, and historic festivals and ceremonies through time and across continents. Get into the festive spirit as you make traditional crafts and cultural foods. Learn about ancient Roman and contemporary Native American rites of passage. Craft a cherry blossom tree, a Roman bulla, and more. During the Friday Showcase, create a "Passport to Cultures" activity for parents to complete.

Session 7: August 10–August 14 Classic Myths and Legends
This week is going to be epic! Meet the ancient Roman and Greek gods and goddesses. Discover tales of Rome's legendary founding, listen to some tragic and comedic Greek tales, and learn who Aesop really was. Practice oration skills, create a Greek mask, try your hand at a wax tablet, and more.

Session 8: August 17–August 21 Ancient Marvels
Learn about architectural feats created long ago and ancient inventions that still influence us today. Explore the "Seven Wonders of the World" when you create a diorama. Experiment with building arches and domes and enjoy a traveling science show. Take a walking tour of the University of Pennsylvania's campus and be on the lookout for centuries-old design influences.

Camp hours are 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, with optional pre-camp (8:00–9:00 am) and post-camp (3:00–5:00 pm) care. For more information or to request a need-based, partial scholarship application form, call 215.898.4016, or email summercamp@pennmuseum.org, and visit the website at www.penn.museum/camp. Registration opens February 15.

About the Penn Museum

The Penn Museum (the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology) is dedicated to the study and understanding of human history and diversity. Founded in 1887, the Museum has sent more than 300 archaeological and anthropological expeditions to all the inhabited continents of the world. With an active exhibition schedule and educational programming for children and adults, the Museum offers the public an opportunity to share in the ongoing discovery of humankind's collective heritage.

The Penn Museum is located at 3260 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104 (on Penn's campus, across from Franklin Field). Public transportation to the Museum is available via SEPTA's Regional Rail Line at University City Station; the Market-Frankford Subway Line at 34th Street Station; trolley routes 11, 13, 34, and 36; and bus routes 21, 30, 40, and 42. Museum hours are Tuesday through Sunday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, and first Wednesdays of each month until 8:00 pm. Open select holiday Mondays. Museum admission donation is $15 for adults; $13 for senior citizens (65 and above); free for U.S. Military; $10 for children and full-time students with ID; free to Penn Museum Members, PennCard holders, and children 5 and younger.

Hot and cold meals and light refreshments can be purchased with or without Museum admission in The Pepper Mill Café; the Museum Shop offers a wide selection of gifts, books, games, clothing and jewelry. The Penn Museum can be found on the web at www.penn.museum. For general information call 215.898.4000. For group tour information call 215.746.8183

Photos, top to bottom: Photos, top to bottom: Campers search for artifacts during a simulated archaeological dig (Photo: Penn Museum). Camper presents his newfound knowledge at a Friday Showcase. (Photo: Penn Museum). Campers display an artifact they unearthed during a simulated archaeological dig (Photo: Penn Museum).