The Pioneer Settlement for the Creative Arts, Inc., is a local treasure that many homeschoolers are not aware of. It is located in Barberville in Volusia County.

According to their web site, The Pioneer Settlement for the Creative Arts, Inc., was established as “an educational institution whose general nature and objective will be to render constructive, educational, and cultural services to the community through collection, preservation, conservation and exposition of objects which are the cultural heritage of this community. Particular emphasis shall be directed to vital programs that enrich the lives of the youth of this community. To achieve this purpose, a settlement has been created for the benefit of the public to house and maintain collections, exhibits, a reference library, and facilities for research and teaching.”

The Pioneer Settlement is made up of many local and regional historically significant buildings that have been moved onto the property. These historic buildings include a school, a train depot, a store, a church, a post office, and many more. The site also has a small farm with chickens, sheep, peacocks, ducks, a donkey and a vegetable garden. They offer field trip programs to public, private, and homeschool students from preschool through high school.

We participated in their Rites of Spring Program in April. This program is geared towards preschoolers through 3^rd graders. The field trip lasted two hours and was broken up into fifteen-minute increments with different women teaching each part. The children went from station to station around the property both inside and out learning about the rites of spring. At each station, they completed related activities and crafts. The stations included weaving baskets, stenciling, creating paper butterflies, planting seeds in an eggshell, visiting the farm, dyeing eggs, and participating in an egg hunt. My son’s favorite part was collecting eggs from real life hens.

The activities were hands on, fun, educational, and age appropriate. I liked that the activities were varied and that there was something new to experience and do every fifteen minutes or so. Keeping young children interested for an extended amount of time can be challenging. The Pioneer Settlement did a good job of anticipating and dealing with that.

Reservations for field trip programs are required. A minimum of 15 participants is required for all field trips, and the cost is $4 per participant. For more information on field trips, visit the Pioneer Settlement’s web site.

When planning a trip to the settlement, be sure to dress comfortably, especially since many of the activities take place outside. You will also want to pack a lunch, as there are no restaurants nearby. They have covered picnic tables that you can use, and most programs end in time for lunch.

Here is a list of programs that they offer:

#1 Pioneer Program: Step back in time when settlers had to be self-reliant. Students will experience many of the skills needed to survive in Pioneer Florida. Activities may include: Candle Making, Weaving, Spinning, Blacksmithing or Woodworking, Butter Making and a visit to the Farm. (K-12th) 

#2 Lassie Cake Program: Almost everthing that goes into our Lassie Cake can be produced on the farm. Children will learn about the Tending of Bees for Honey, Tools in the turn-of-the-century Kitchen; they will Make and Eat “from scratch” Cake, Dowse for Water, Make Butter and Learn where Eggs come from. (PK-3rd)

#3 Seminole Indian Program: Come and learn about the unique culture of “The Unconquered.” The Seminoles and Miccosukee people have created a rich and colorful culture. Learn about Seminole Patchwork, Seminole Legends, the Eight Clans, How to Weave Palmettos, Create a Pinch Pot and Taste Sofkee. (K-12th)

#4 Florida History Program: People make history. Volusia County was expanding at the turn of the Twentieth Century. Come and meet some of the citizens during that time. You may encounter a Teacher, Tradesman, Tourist, Logger, Homemaker, and Farmer. (4th-12th)
 

#5 Timucuan-Myaccan Program: Who were these early Floridians? Join us on an archaeological quest to discover their daily lives and culture. While touring the Timucuan Village students will learn about Farming, Hunting, Fishing, Burning out a Dugout Canoe, Family Life, Pottery Skills and Tools while investigating archaeological clues. (4th-12th)

#6 Old Fashioned Traditions Program: Combine fun and education. Winter festivals are celebrated all over the world. Experience some of the crafts and celebrations of other countries. Make Candles, Lace Cards, Poinsettia Bracelets and Hats, String Popcorn, and See Mr. and Mrs. Claus. (PK-3rd)

#7 Rites of Spring Program: Welcome Spring with this hands-on program. The children will make Butterflies and Spring Baskets, Dye Eggs, Play an Egg Game, Visit the Farm and Plant seeds, all while learning about the symbols of the earth’s reawakening. (PK-3rd)

In addition to field trips, the Pioneer Settlement also has ongoing activities for the whole family to enjoy. For example, the 31st Annual FALL COUNTRY JAMBOREE will take place on Saturday and Sunday, November 3^rd and 4^th. According to the web site, Florida history and folk culture come ALIVE as we relive pioneer times through demonstrations of backwoods lifeways, early industry and trades, folk and domestic arts, and the dynamic cultural mix of people who have lived and settled throughout Central Florida.

The Barberville Jamboree is one of the best-known and longest-lived heritage festivals in Florida, featuring:

- Our newly restored Old Barberville Central High School, c. 1919

- More than 100 historical demonstrators, reenactors, artisans and trades people from around the state

- Continuous performances by 150 Florida musicians on 6 stages

- Juried arts and crafts show

- Historical exhibits, storytelling and hands-on children’s activities

- Children’s art show and awards

- Florida “Cracker”-style foods such as BBQ, Corn boil, Fish fry and Bean soup 

If you are looking for an interesting way to bring history alive, plan a trip to the Pioneer Settlement. It is well worth the drive.