Dogs transporting medical supplies and teenagers faking their age to fight in the First World War are among the unique stories to be told at Okotoks’ museum.
The Okotoks Museum and Archives is hosting another segment of its war series where children ages eight to 15 will hear fascinating wartime stories Feb. 23 from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
“We will tell some stories that include the role of animals in the war,” said Jaime-Brett Sine, the museum’s education program specialist. “There’s also some incredible stories about survival.”
Sine said the war series has become a hit among Okotoks’ youth since it was developed a year ago.
“It originally began as one program looking at World War One and the growth of tank technology,” she said. “It was so popular that by the request of the kids in the program we decided to continue it so I formed it into a series.”
Three sessions were held in the first year focusing on technology, naval warfare and weaponry, said Sine. This week’s session will highlight war stories.
“There will be a lot of stories they aren’t familiar with from infamous stories to humorous stories in the midst of the war,” she said. “A number of soldiers were trapped in a tank for a number of days while being shelled. It didn’t seem those soldiers would come out alive and in fact they did. They are little known stories that haven’t been as publicized in the history books. We are going to try to look at some of those untold stories.”
The series also includes an artistic component where participants create images from the information they learn.
At this week’s session, they will view historical images and videos and create a collage comprised of images, paraphernalia and art materials, Sine said.
“We’re going to use a variety of materials including fabric, historical images that connect with the war and transport those materials to tell their own narrative,” she said. “They could recreate one of the war stories we talked about or they could come up with their own stories or it could be entirely imaginary. Instead of just using paint or pencil they are using multimedia materials like photographs and fabrics.”
Sine said an average of eight youths attend each session.
“Many come to the program with an incredible amount of knowledge,” she said. “I try to offer a more unique take on things, introduce them to things they don’t know. A lot of the kids that participate have an interest in the wars.”
Sine said a lot of sharing takes place throughout the sessions.
“We sit around and chat and we have a conversation as they create their art,” she said. “It’s a bit of foreign history to them, but a fascinating one. It’s history on a global scale that you don’t see quite to the same extent.”
A previous session had the youth talking about the role of tanks in the First World War and how they changed the face of war in history, said Sine.
“I think that really fascinates them just seeing those changes of technology and what this program is focusing on,” he said. “Those stories are just really fascinating, really interesting. There is always going to be those personal connections.
“Soldiers as young as 14 that fudged papers and go into the war. There is that connection to animals. There are these universal themes that kids can relate to, even when you’re speaking about a war that was 100 years ago.
The cost to participate in this week’s session is $20. To register call 403-938-8969 or go to okotoksculture.ca
