ELKHART COUNTY, Ind. -- Elkhart County Parks will host two archaeology education events in April, an educator workshop and an exploration workshop.

The first event, Archaeology 101, will take place on April 9 at Bonneyville Mill Park in Bristol. Children aged 6-12 are welcome to take part in this hands-on exploration of archaeology. Participants will discover what an archaeologist does, handle real artifacts, and get their hands dirty with simulated excavation activities. This event runs from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Briar Patch Shelter on County Road 8. The cost to participate is $2 and advance registration is required; you can register here.

The second event is a Project Archaeology Educator Workshop on April 17. This professional development session will take participants through curriculum published by Project Archaeology, a national heritage education organization. It is designed to show how archaeological investigation can serve to teach both scientific inquiry and cultural understanding. The workshop is suitable for all educators, including homeschool parents, K-12 classroom teachers, and interpreters at natural and cultural sites. All attendees will receive the Project Archaeology: Investigating Shelter curriculum guide with 9 comprehensive lessons.

This event takes place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the DeFries Homestead in River Preserve County Park in New Paris. The cost to participate is $10, and advance registration is required; you can register here. 

Questions about either program can be directed to the Elkhart County Historical Museum at (574) 848-4322 or [email protected].