Revolutionary War encampment to bring history to life at PBC

It’s one thing for elementary schools students to read about the Revolutionary War and learn through text book stories of battles, soldier’s lives and the types of weapons used.

It’s a completely different experience for those same students to see, touch, hear and smell the soldiers, the weapons and the food.

That’s the idea behind a Revolutionary War encampment at the Pieter B. Coeymans Elementary School on June 19, when a “British” scout unit from His Majesty's 53d Regiment of Foot will descend on Ravena to locate and disburse “Colonial Rebel” activity caused by the American Militia out of Albany, as well as the Provincials.

The event will run from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on the grounds of the school, which is located at 66 Church St.

A full encampment and battle will commence on the school’s grounds, providing a living history for the school’s roughly 500 students and others who want to learn about the Revolutionary War.

During the encampment preceding the battle, students and others will rotate from station, learning about everything from living conditions, women's roles, and colonial games to weaponry and candle stick making, organizer Jan Palmer said.