Follow up to Friday at the Fort

Friday at the Fort, the educational event at the Presidio San Agustin Del Tucson, was last Friday and let me tell you what an amazing experience it was.

Held for the fourth graders of Carrillo Elementary school, the event kicked off with all the students lining up according to color groups. All the students were then given red bandannas and taught basic soldier commands before being named 'recruits' for the Spanish Fort.

After a brief introduction the students spread out among the eight stations displaying activities of everyday life at the Presidio. The stations ranged from washing clothes, to blacksmithing, to making tortillas.

Each station lasted about 20 minutes and the time to switch stations was marked by a shot from the musket.

Watching the kids do these activities was so interesting. I actually heard one of them say while 'grinding corn for breakfast' in the metate, "Wow, they had to work really hard." Watching the kids observe how different life was was definitely the best part.

The eight booths were a perfect blend of hands on activities and the looks on their faces during these activities were priceless.

The teachers and parents who came along for the field trip also seemed to be having a very good time. I think they learned almost as much as the kids and I heard nothing but positive feedback.

At the end of the eighth station rotation, everyone met back in the middle and the Presidio soldiers fired the cannon. The cannon seemed to be the highlight of the event and the kids would not stop talking about how loud and awesome it was (They also got a kick out of how the loud noise set off nearby car alarms).

To see more photos of Friday at the Fort, check out the photo slideshow below: