Some Ocean City Kids are "Making History"

By Maddy Vitale Kids who live in Ocean City or just visit the family-friendly resort this summer will have a chance to find out more about their hometown or favorite vacation spot, with the Ocean City Historical Museum’s “Making History” Camp. The camp, from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Aug. 12-16, is designed to teach children about the history of the resort. Some of the highlights include the famous Sindia shipwreck, the actress-turned-princess Grace Kelly, who summered in Ocean City, and the history of the Boardwalk. “It is very important for our young people to understand and want to learn about the history of Ocean City,” said Carol Dotts, treasurer of the Museum Board of Trustees. “The camp is a fun way to learn. They are not just reading. We have lots of fun activities for them.” The cost of the camp is $40 per child. Slots are still open. Now in its fourth year, the camp is sponsored by the Friends and Volunteers of the Ocean City Free Public Library and includes snacks and prizes. Babs Stefano, vice president of the Museum’s Board of Trustees and organizer of the camp each year, said she, along with several other museum volunteers, make the camp really entertaining and informative. Campers also act as museum guides. (Photo courtesy Victor Daniel) The campers participate in educational games. The kids also learn how to be a tour guide in the museum and are given history lessons, so they are ready to be real guides. Stefano noted that the children campers enjoy being allowed to be in the museum before it opens to the public at 10 a.m. “It makes them feel really special,” she said. The culmination of history camp is highlighted on the last day of the program. “The children choose their own exhibit that they want to research,” Stefano explained. “They do a presentation and present it to their family and friends and the public on the last day of the camp.” Then there is a big pizza party. Stefano, a retired elementary school teacher who taught for 48 years, said the camp is a way to share her educational background with the children in the museum. “It is an opportunity for the kids to have a love of Ocean City and the resort," she said. "This is something where they can learn about the history of the community they live in or visit." The Ocean City Historical Museum is located at 1735 Simpson Ave. For more information about the history camp, visit www.ocnjmuseum.org or call (609) 399-1801. Historian Paul Anselm speaks to a patron about the museum's upgraded Sindia exhibit. It is one of many exhibits kids may select from to do their presentation.