Petersburg National Battlefield welcomes new recruits to their annual summer camp “Earthworks” beginning July 17 through August 7. The program, for children 6 – 12 years of age, will occur on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00-1:00 p.m. Children will take a step back in time to learn about the life of a Civil War soldier.

Earthworks offers a hands-on approach to science and history as participants sign enlistment papers and prepare themselves for an outdoor adventure. As soldiers, kids will dress in uniform, perform marching drills, and create flags. As scientists, they will pull on their rubber boots to perform biological water tests in the stream and learn about archeology in the trenches.

The fee for “Earthworks” is only $5 per child and each session will consist of a maximum of fifteen participants. For reservations and further information about the “Earthworks” schedule please contact Petersburg National Battlefield at (804) 732-3531 ext 200.

Petersburg National Battlefield was established in order to commemorate the campaign, siege, and defense of Petersburg, Virginia, in 1864 and 1865 and to preserve for historical purposes the breastworks, earthworks, walls or other defenses or shelters used by the armies.