KAYSVILLE — Davis County Republican Party leaders, in an effort to teach grade-school-aged children the founding principles of the United States, have created the first Davis County Patriots Camp.
“It is the first one we have been able to organize,” Davis County GOP Chairwoman Kris Kimball said.
The curriculum to be provided at the weeklong camp will fill a void when it comes to children receiving instruction on U.S. history, Kimball said.
“They don’t get American history until fifth grade. We need to teach from first grade that this is how government works,” she said.
The camp, co-sponsored by Davis County Teenage Republicans, will be from 9:30 a.m. to noon, July 9-13 at Barnes Park in Kaysville, 950 W. 200 North. The cost is $35 per child. The camp fee includes a T-shirt.
Although the camp is being sponsored by Republican-based groups, it is open to all children. There will be no Republicanism taught in the camp, Kimball said of the nonpartisan camp.
As the Davis County GOP chairwoman, one of Kimball’s goals was to reach out and get education going at all levels to engage youths in the political process, she said.
The camp is based on a similar camp that was held in Pleasant Grove last year, she said. That camp drew more than 100 children and about 50 volunteers, said Julie Knudsen, co-director of Utah Patriot Camps. The Pleasant Grove camp was the first camp of its kind held in the state. This year, similar camps are to be held in Kaysville and Logan, Knudsen said.
The intent is that, through the use of games and activities, the camp will help young people develop an interest in and a love for America, Kimball said.
“It is not all sitting and learning,” she said.
Guest lecturers will include individuals posing as George Washington and Benjamin Franklin, who will be teaching the principles of the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution.
“It is just a way to teach children. That is what we want to do, is plant that little seed as to why America is great,” Kimball said.
Currently, there is kind of a void when it comes to educating children on U.S. history, with children having the sense that every time the Fourth of July comes around it’s time to go barbecue, she said.
The Davis patriot camp can accommodate up to 100 children.
Those interested in having their child attend the camp can visit www.utahpatriotcamp.com for more information or to register.
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