North Manchester Historical Society: Good Deeds Grants Helping Expand Youth Programming
North Manchester Historical Society: Good Deeds Grants Helping Expand Youth Programming
Children smile as they dance and try their hand at playing Miami Indian instruments provided by the Historic Forks of the Wabash. Their eyes widen as they gaze at the large assortment of tools and hides and as they learn how the Miami taught their young to throw spears using corn cobs and feathers. They use their creativity to make rainmakers, medicine pouches, and talking sticks, all the while learning how these items were used.
These lucky children were able to participate in the North Manchester Historical Society’s (NMHS) annual summer camp. The Community Foundation of Wabash County was pleased to support this hands-on, culturally immersive experience for children in our community. Since its inception in 2021, the NMHS summer camp program has grown steadily, with an average of 27 students per week. Every day, the children enjoy a variety of activities designed to connect them with North Manchester's rich history. Each year has a theme, and this year, the camp was built around the Miami Nation of Indiana.
The summer camp is led and organized by a skilled team including Laura Rager, Diana Bucher, Sandra Bendsen, and Chris Fisher. Rager is responsible for managing finances and supplies. Bucher serves as the lead teacher, overseeing coordination, scheduling, and planning, and Bendsen and Fisher collaborate on designing and implementing programming. “The Community Foundation’s Good Deeds Grant enabled our program to reach more children in a wide range of ages,” said Rager. “Because of the grant, we were able to provide programming for youth without charging them individual fees, ensuring accessibility to all families who wished to participate.”
The NMHS aims to use this funding to deepen community engagement and foster a sense of pride in local heritage among young participants. Rager states, “Our goal is to teach the kids about life in the North Manchester area at various points in history.” Through its interactive exhibits, educational tours, and evening programs featuring local artists and musicians, NMHS continues to be a cornerstone of cultural education in Wabash County.
Sam McFadden, Director of Community Grantmaking and Financial Management at CFWC states, "The Community Foundation is pleased to support the North Manchester Historical Society and its engagement of youth in the community. The Center for History Summer Camp: Now and Then is a wonderful way for kids to continue learning during the summer when they're not in school.”