Kids learn history through song at Trinity Episcopal summer day camp

POTTSVILLE - With cowbells, tambourines and maracas, youngsters pounded out the beat of a steam locomotive Tuesday at a day camp in Trinity Episcopal Church.

Most had never seen Big Boy - the world's largest operating steam locomotive, which drew massive crowds during a historic tour through Pennsylvania - or, for that matter, any train at all.

But in tune with The Troubles - Paul Noon and Loretta Murphy - about 20 kids were transported on a musical journey through coal region history.

Keeping time with songs about canals, trains and ships, they were exposed to how coal made its way from Schuylkill County to Philadelphia in the 1800s.

Head teacher Barbara Tokarz said it was part of an America 250 program at the weeklong camp for children in preschool to third grade.

Tokarz said the camp's program is built around reading to combat the "summer slump." After early morning classes, however, the kids are treated to entertainment, a program by the Pottsville Free Public Library and visits to the Schuylkill County Historical Society.

Noon and Murphy, who've been performing as The Troubles for more than 20 years, explained the lyrics to songs and invited the kids to sing along.

Noting that mules played a large part in coal mining, Noon launched into the tale of an old mule named Sal, who traveled 15 miles from Albany to Buffalo in Pete Seeger's folk classic "The Erie Canal."

Noon really strummed his old banjo during "I've Been Working on the Railroad," when the youngsters did the catchy "fee, fie, fiddly" chorus.

In Betty Davis' second-grade class, students learned about the Revolutionary War and designed their own flags.

The Troubles led the group in singing "You're a Grand Old Flag" and Woody Guthrie's "This Land Is Your Land."

As an encore, The Troubles performed the Beatles' "Octopus's Garden."

This year's lineup of teachers includes Leah Bortner, Samantha Simatos, Geraldine Schwartz, Barbara Malewski and Peggy Frantz.

The camp concludes Friday with a program for parents of the children, who live mainly in the Pottsville area.

Held for more than a decade, previous programs at the camp included a talk on Native Americans by Patrick "Porcupine Pat" McKinney and a presentation on the National Football League's 100th anniversary.

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