Treasures of Mesopotamia Day Camp
- Event Date: Wednesday, August 3, 2016–Friday, August 5, 2016
- Time: 9:00 am (CDT) Wednesday–4:00 pm (CDT) Friday
- Location: Spurlock Museum, 600 S. Gregory St., Urbana, IL
- Age: Ages 8–14
- Cost: $105 for all 3 days; $40 for single day
“Treasures of Mesopotamia” is a summer day camp for children ages 8–14. This new camp highlights the cylinder seals, historic figures, and inventions from the “cradle of civilization” and presents a unique learning opportunity for students interested in history, archaeology, technology, and art.
Special Activities
As a part of their adventures, the campers will get the chance to engage directly with retiring Museum Director and UI Professor of Hebrew, Bible, and Ancient Near Eastern cultures, Wayne Pitard. Wayne will share his knowledge and talents with campers as they tour the Mesopotamian exhibit, experience a behind-the-scenes visit and demo of the Museum's Artifact Imaging Center, and view ancient artifacts up close. Students will learn to identify an original superhero—the six-curled hero—in cylinder seals, as well as various kings, gods, and animals.
Crafts
Spurlock educators will work with students to create a variety of specialized crafts that highlight important objects from Mesopotamia's rich history, including:
- a working miniature chariot
- personalized cylinder seals
- a “Hanging Garden of Babylon” (with a real miniature plant)
- mosaics from the famed Ishtar Gate
- a fabric game from Ur
- and a gold–leaf headdress or necklace based on objects discovered in Queen Puabi's tomb
Camp Registration
The cost is $105 for three days (camp runs 9:00 am–4:00 pm each day, August 3, 4, and 5); single-day enrollment ($40) can be accommodated as numbers permit. Space is limited to 10 participants, but parents are welcome to join their campers for the special tours offered by Wayne.
