Activities

Territorial Statehouse State Park staff provides lots of fun, hands-on activities during Building Zion Youth Camp, Creating Zion Youth Camp, and Etiquette Dinners We also provide ample unscheduled time for leaders to plan meals, hold their own meetings, or just relax in the park.

Building Zion Youth Camp (Combined Youth)

Statehouse Provided Activities (see schedule for times):

Rounders— This precursor to baseball uses handmade bats and balls and rules that are just enough different from baseball that skilled and unskilled youth and leaders alike have a blast playing.

Pioneer Games—Youth create their own fun with stilts, jump ropes, hoops, graces, croquet, stick pulling, checkers and more pioneer games.

Museum Tour & History Discussions–Learn why Brigham Young chose Fillmore as the Capitol and then moved it to Salt Lake City. Learn about the political battles Utah fought as a Territory and why they weren’t readily granted statehood.

Building Zion Challenge–Each youth is given freedom to explore pioneer tasks and trades, with a scavenger hunt style list of activities including: candle making, wood work, stonework, rope making, quilting, spinning, weaving, bread making, blacksmithing, laundry and school work in an old time school. They are paid top wages in “tithing script” redeemable in the gift shop.

Cabin Building Challenge—Youth & leaders are called as “families” to carry logs, use a 2 man saw to cut logs and race to build a cabin, reminiscent of the settlers arriving late in the year racing to build shelters before winter.

Water Challenge—In this desert state, water is always a challenge. The lack of water in southern Utah and Nevada was a major factor in abandoning Fillmore as the Capitol. We will carry and build “ditches” to channel water which may end up in a “friendly” water fight.

Old Time Dance—This pioneer style dance will be a highlight of the camp. Dance cards, games and mixers, reduce the pressure of “asking,” allowing the youth to just have fun. They’ll learn reels, marches, schottisches, polkas and even waltzes-although Brigham Young thought waltzing was risqué. Pioneers danced for entertainment and exercise, so wear sturdy shoes. We’ll provide lots of water and refreshments.

$40 per youth-Leaders free

Creating Zion Youth Camp (Female Youth)

This fun filled camp is designed for groups of young women between the ages of 11 and 18, and their leaders. Youth spend 3 days and 2 nights gaining insight into the challenges early settlers faced as they accepted the call, not just come to Zion, but to create it. This insight is gained while enjoying many comforts of today, including a swim in the pool every afternoon and your own cool, comfortable clothes. The park provides plenty of lawn for tents. Youth groups are responsible for tents and all meals.

Statehouse Provided Activities (see schedule for times):

School Activities—Education was very important to early settlers. Youth will experience a bit of school pioneer style paper making, using the Deseret Alphabet and strange rules for recess.

Creating Zion Challenge–Each youth is given freedom to explore pioneer tasks and trades, with a scavenger hunt style list of activities including: candle making, soap making, paper making, doll making, toy making, wood work, rope making, quilting, sewing, spinning, run weaving, belt weaving, bread making and more. They are paid top wages in “tithing script” redeemable in the gift shop.

Domestic Water Challenge—In this desert state, water is always a challenge. Women & children spent a large portion of their time carrying water to care for their gardens and household needs. We will carry and build “ditches” to channel water which may end up in a “friendly” water fight.

Old Time Dance—Dancing was very important in pioneer life. More than anything, dances were a social time, where they enjoyed music, games, interaction and generally refreshed their spirits. Pioneers danced for entertainment and exercise, so wear sturdy shoes. We’ll provide lots of water and refreshments.

Pioneer Training Camp–Youth will learn to gather materials to start fires, bake ash bread, make a pioneer Dutch-oven meal, gather water to boil, and harness a horse. Just as the pioneers had to learn before they traveled west.

$40 per youth-Leaders free

Exploring Zion Youth Camp (Male Youth)

This fun filled camp is designed for groups of young men between the ages of 11 and 18, and their leaders. Youth groups spend 3 days and 2 nights gaining insight into challenges early settlers faced as they accepted the call not just to come to Zion, but to explore it. This insight is gained while enjoying many comforts of today, including a swim in the pool, an air conditioned multipurpose room, showers, and your own, comfortable clothes. The park provides plenty of lawn for tents. Youth groups are responsible for tents and all meals.

Statehouse Provided Activities (see schedule for times):

Pioneer Training Camp – Most people do not realize that there was some degree of training for the pioneers before crossing the Great Plains. We will have similar training for activities of your choosing. You will learn flint and steel fire starting, baking in ash, common dutch oven meals and desserts, how to harness a horse, lead casting, or hand sewing/mending cloth.

Museum Tour & History Discussions – Learn why Brigham Young chose Fillmore as the Capital and then moved it to Salt Lake City. Learn about the political battles Utah fought as a Territory and why they weren’t readily granted statehood. Learn about the contributions explorers made to Utah in industry, trade, settlement, and economy.

Exploring Zion Challenge – Each youth is given freedom to explore pioneer tasks and trades, with a scavenger hunt style list of activities including: candle making, wood working, masonry, black smithing, rawhide use, weaving, musical instrument creation, rope making, toy making, mortise and tenon construction. They are paid top wages in “tithing script” redeemable in the gift shop.

Exploratory Hike – Choose from a variety of hikes to discover differing landscapes or needed resources for settlement including: quarry, lumber, and water. Leaders are responsible to ensure each youth has hydration and transportation (and any snacks if they choose). Be sure there is proper attire and shoes for these hikes. If there are limiting factors in your group, let us know and we will help to find the appropriate hike for your group.

Keep Cool – Youth get to choose how they want to keep cool during the heat of the day by choosing either:

Historic Parlor Games – Learn parlor (indoor) games in an air conditioned building. These will range from very physically active to early card games. Water Challenge – learn about the importance of water and how to get it to where you need it which may cause a bit of a “friendly” water fight.

$40 per youth-Leaders free

Etiquette Dinner & Pioneer Dance

(Not available last week of May – first week of August)

Ever wonder which fork to use? Or where to place your linen napkin when you have finished eating. Proper dining etiquette stretches back centuries. Formal table settings are considered an art form to many people, and table manners are not to be taken lightly. Today, many of the behaviors that take place at the dinner table are deeply rooted in history. Dining etiquette plays a role not only at a fine dining establishment but in everyday life.

Statehouse Provided Activities

Dining Experience— You will learn the how’s, what’s, and why’s of proper dining etiquette. You will enjoy a multicourse meal served in a formal yet relaxed setting.

Schedule this as an evening activity or an overnight event.

$20 per plate (dance included in fees)

Territorial Statehouse State Park Museum

Activities