Valley Days, is an environmental living program set in an
1880 agricultural community. Designed by teachers, museum docents, and
volunteer staff. This program offers an experience unparalleled to any other
in Northern California – of which students in grades 3-5 engage in a full day
in the life of the student in the 1880’s. There are three major goals of
the program.
- To develop an understanding of the lifestyle of the people who lived in San Joaquin County in the late 1800’s.
- To develop an awareness of how nineteenth century life in San Joaquin county fit into a larger concept of the development of the West.
- To develop a sense of stewardship toward our heritage and the sites and artifacts of the 1800’s.
I had the pleasure of volunteering alongside the “professional volunteers” (some very strict senior citizens). In order to run a station all volunteers must complete one eight hour training on their respective station of volunteer.
My day of formal “giveback” was held on Thursday May 8, 2014. I had the pleasure of running the “leather stamping” station! It was loud, intense, and fun! Ideally about 250+ students roll through the grounds of the historic buildings at Micke’s Grove Park in Lodi, California. (no they didn’t give us volunteers any wine.) As the children live, a-day-in-the life… they attend class; tend to heard, stamp leather, go to the metal workshop, pan for gold, work the print press, make rope, etc. It is an awesome experience. Volunteers are actively engaging and assisting in all functions at their station. Mid day there is time to have a lunch of which should contain items only from the time of the late 1800’s. I met many children, shared my knowledge of where leather comes from the history of pounding hide to create things such as shoes, and other pliable trade. We laughed, smiled, and got to play dress up too!
Cheers – enjoy the pix!
Monicque Vasquez | Training Specialist,
Education Delivery
