UNDATED – Because even stuffed animal friends need a break, the DNR Division of Historic Preservation & Archaeology (DHPA) will host its inaugural free Teddy Bear Camp, May 16 to 22.
This pre-summer camp will give teddy bears and other stuffed animals belonging to kids age 5 to 12 who live in Marion, Hamilton, Hancock, Shelby, Johnson, Morgan, Hendricks, or Boone counties a chance to relax and unwind before their child owner is out of school for the summer.
For your child’s stuffed animal to participate, complete a registration form, then drop off it and your child’s stuffed animal (not your child) at one of three partner locations, at the dates and times shown below. Please only bring one stuffed animal per child.
- Franklin: The Historic Artcraft Theatre, May 10, 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. or May 12, 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.
- Indianapolis: Indiana State Museum, May 11, 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. or May 12, 2 p.m. until 4 p.m.
- Indianapolis: Fort Harrison State Park: May 13, 9 a.m. until noon
During the camp, DHPA staff will take the stuffed animals to visit a variety of sites to learn about history, architecture, and historic preservation. Photos of the visits will be posted to DHPA’s Facebook page during the week, and, after the camp, a photo album will be emailed to the adult contact designated on the registration form.
For participating, all stuffed animals and their child owners will be certified as an “Indiana Junior Preservationist.”
The program will conclude with owners picking up their stuffed animals at their drop-off location from May 25 until 27.