Third Grade Visits Lenape Village at Churchville Nature Center

The third grade enjoyed their first field trip of the year on March 23. After two years of virtual experiences, the group had the opportunity to experience Lenape Village at Churchville Nature Center in person. The day included touring the village, laying on beds in the longhouse, trying to make fire, playing games, and a mock wedding ceremony. Third grade teacher Rachel Mainwaring noted, “The students were very engaged throughout the tour of the Lenape Village, asking great questions, connecting to their learning from the classroom, and drawing conclusions about life 500 years ago… It was such a pleasure to finally take them out into the world again.” 

Lenape Village is a hands-on, living history exhibit that gives students and other members of the community the opportunity to experience first-hand what it was like to live in our area as a Native American, just before contact with European settlers. Students engaged in these programs learn from a series of interpretive stations that focus on horticulture, family life, hunting skills, fire making, pottery, food and cooking, and cordage (the making of strings and ropes from natural materials) — all designed and presented by Churchville Nature Center educators.