Nice to Meet You: Victorian Finishing School

You know when you are around 5th Street Market & you look up on Skinner Butte? That amazing Victorian house? Have you ever wondered what life was like when people actually lived there? You are in luck! Or, rather, your kiddo is in luck! Leah Murray has designed a brilliant camp called Victorian Finishing School that allows children to explore what life was like over 100 years ago. We got to ask her all about it!

What can parents expect their kids to learn during Victorian Finishing School?
Our educational goals are for our students to be able to write a proper thank you letter, know how to thread a needle and sew on a button, and learn a bit of history. Our main goal however, is for them to have fun. We know that not all kids are cut out for the outdoors, sports, or intensely art oriented camps. The underlying theme of our camp use our imagination in a relaxed environment and learn a few skills that might be handy as they get older. 

How are your camps different from others in our area?
We are mixing a bit of history and education disguised as imagination and creativity inside a 100+ year old home. The students are given costumes to dress in and a huge house to imagine living in, while learning to do the things the children that grew up here learned 100 years ago. They get to have tea parties, do art, and play hide-and-seek in a place where they would normally have to be quiet and not touch anything. 

Why do you think it's important for kids to learn about these topics?
​We are becoming increasing ​out of touch with our past and the connections to others that it teaches us. Kids don't get nearly enough hands on activities in schools, and so many of our wonderful traditions are falling away. When was the last time you wrote a thank you note? Kids aren't learning how to read an analog clock, write cursive, or respect the amount work it takes to make something by hand. If I leave these kids nothing else by the end of the three days, I hope that they are at least curious enough about their ability to create something that isn't on a screen that they find other activities to learn.

How would you invite a child who is very tech & screen focused to try out your camp?
​Everything that you do on the screen started out in the real world somewhere. Anyone can play MineCraft, but how many kids can say they have played hide and seek in a 'castle' in real life?

What is the age range of your camps?
We have set our age range to 9 to 12. We find this group gets along well socially, but we have allowed students who are 8 to attend if they are advanced writers because of the composition activity. We have found it helpful if the younger student has an older relative or close friend who can attend with them.

Some parents might wonder, is this camp just for girls?
We get this question a lot. I specifically created curriculum that would be beneficial and inclusive to everyone. Thank you notes and sewing buttons are not exclusive activities.  We are open and accepting of all children no matter what their preferences.

How would you invite a child who is very tech & screen focused to try out your camp?
​Everything that you do on the screen started out in the real world somewhere. Anyone can play MineCraft, but how many kids can say they have played hide and seek in a 'castle' in real life?

Where did the idea to do a Victorian Finishing School Camp come from?
​Honestly, it came from reading Gail Carringer's Finishing School Series. It's a wonderful series and I was inspired to see if I could do something like it here in Eugene. I don't teach spycraft of course, but I am pleased with what we have created anyway.​

What are you most excited about teaching the campers?
I love all of it. I get emotional when the parents come to the recital on Thursday and I hear the students telling their parents all the little stories I told them on the first day when I am not sure I have their attention yet. I love hearing from the parents how the students want to set the tables for dinner 'the right way' and ask to get supplies to continue learning sewing. I especially love watching the new friendships made by kids who wouldn't have met otherwise.

Sometimes the cost of camps can be restrictive for families, do you have anything to help? 
We offer scholarships! We know that camp and childcare can be a financial burden on families. We are happy to be able to support those families through discounted tuition. We also offer discounts for siblings and for students who are also attending Singing Creek Educational Center Summer camps.  (Visit us here for more information)

Victorian Finishing School
Shelton McMurphy Johnson House
303 Willamette Street, Eugene
(Enter Driveway at Third and Pearl Streets)

541 484-0808
Email: director@smjhouse.org

June 26th-27th-28th
July 24th-25th-26th 
August 14th-15th-16th
9am-2pm each day

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How neat is that?
Such a great way for kids to get a sense of what life was like in Eugene almost 150 years ago. 
​& also learn some really beautiful & valuable skills.
Thanks, Leah, for sharing Victorian Finishing School Camp with us.
We are lucky to have you in Eugene!