INTRODUCTION:

This proverb captures the essence of Fort Henry National Historic Site's "EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING PROGRAMS".  Designed in partnership with the Frontenac County Board of Education to emphasize "doing", these programs inspire the student to further explore Canada's military and social heritage at the time of Confederation.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND:

The 19th Century was a time of British-American tension in North America.  In British North America, fear of an impending attack of invading armies from the south was constant throughout 1812 to 1814.  Because Britain was forced to commit most of her troops to the Napoleonic Wars in Europe, the land which would become Canada seemed undefended and easy prey to those who then dominated the Congress of the United States One response to the imminent attack was the construction of a fort on Point Henry.

Built on a point of land commanding the confluence of the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River, Fort Henry sheltered the British Navy, docked in Navy Bay.  In subsequent decades, massive limestone walls replaced earthworks Garrisoned first by British and then Canadian Troops, Fort Henry witnessed crucial events in Canada's development.

Upper Canada became Canada West in the United Province of Canada, Kingston became the Capital City and Fort Henry was charged with guarding it.  New fears of war with the Americans grew. With the Oregon Boundary Dispute of the 1840's and the American Civil War, anxieties about the possibility of war were alive.  At the same time, a new political force was emerging.  Responsible government took hold in the United Province of Canada; by Royal Proclamation, July 1, 1867 was chosen as the birthday of a new nation, the Dominion of Canada.

From embattled colony to independent nation, Canada grew under the protective vigil of Fort Henry and her garrisons, and now these stories are waiting to be shared with the youth of the land she cared for.  Fort Henry is proud to present the following programs aimed at introducing the story of Canada during the year of her birth.

 

 

 

OVERNIGHT PROGRAM

From your arrival at Fort Henry until your departure the next morning, complete immersion in the lifestyle of Fort Henry's Garrison is yours.  A complete roster of "Duties" will help your class understand how and why people at Fort Henry lived the way they did.  In essence, your students will become soldiers for 21 hours at the Citadel of Upper Canada.

The teachers and adult supervisors must accept most of the responsibility of driving this program.  Fort Henry will provide Interpreters to guide and assist your class, separate sleeping accommodations for male and female students in historically accurate quarters, and will fill much of the program's time, but its ultimate success rests with you.

Because of the nature of an overnight program, we must insist that you provide at least a 5:1 student supervisor ratio; male and female.

The enclosed "History Hunt" is a treasure hunt for facts on Fort Henry, designed to allow your class the opportunity to discover some of the Fort's mysteries, and learn some of her secrets.

From 8:00 P.M. on day one, your class will be under TEACHER SUPERVISION.  Fort Henry can provide some historic materials for the period, but it is essentially geared for "Quiet Time" before lights out.  We will provide cards, dominoes, and draughts (checkers) for each Barrack Room.  Teachers may also want to supply paper so that the soldiers may write home.