NATCHEZ &8212; Two of Natchez&8217;s historical sites are offering kids a chance to experience the lives of Native Americans, pioneers and Civil War soldiers this summer.

As part of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, The Grand Village of the Natchez Indians and the Historic Jefferson College will have their Discovery and Pioneer Week from 9 a. m. until noon from June 12 &045; June 14, for children ages 8 through 12.

These programs offer kids the chance to participate in various activities, play games and learn the skills of Native Americans and the early European settlers that lived in Natchez over 200 years ago.

At the Grand Village historian Jim Barnett and other volunteers will show how Indians made and used tools and used various plants in their every day living.

Coordinator Tom Scarborough said each day kids would have different arts and crafts including: pottery making, gourd painting and leather crafting.

Volunteers will also teach kids the Indian Snake dance to the sound of beating drums and Scarborough will teach them the Native American game of stickball similar to modern lacrosse.

&8220;It&8217;s an opportunity for kids to be engaged in aspects and appreciation of the Natchez and other Native American cultures and to just flat out have fun,&8221; Scarborough said.

Cheryl Branyan and other volunteers at Historic Jefferson College teach children the skills of the pioneer like weaving, quilting bread making and butter churning.

In addition children will learn to start fires with flint and steel, experience Indian-style trading and play the game rounders, the early version of baseball.

&8220;I think children will not only have fun, but they will also learn to appreciate what life was like for their ancestors 200 years ago,&8221; Branyan said.

Historic Jefferson College will, for the first time host a Civil War adventure camp at 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. from July 5 – July 7, for children ages 8 to 12.

At

the camp children will experience what is was like for both the Union and Confederate soldiers of the Civil War.

For information about Discovery Week, contact Jim Barnett at (601) 446-6502 and for information about Pioneer Week and Civil War adventure camp contact Cheryl Branyan at (601) 442-2901.

All who are interested must register by June 5.