By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

RUSSELL — Kansas history came to life Tuesday and Wednesday in the Deines Cultural Center in Russell.

More than 200 elementary school students from Russell, Natoma and Wilson entered a Plains Indian buffalo camp and then visited 11 other themed stations for hands-on learning including Campfire Singing, Wash Day, Cowboy Corral, Hen House (with live chickens), Milo, Grinding and Sifting, Bread Making and Butter Making.

The two-day event was sponsored by Delta Kappa Gamma in celebration of Kansas Day. Kansas was the 34th state to enter the Union on January 29, 1861.

About 50 volunteers helped at the various stations, explaining to the school children what pioneer and Indian life on the Kansas prairie was like.

“We’re senior citizens,” said Susan Krug, one of the organizers. “We’re all grandparents.” Many of the volunteers were also retired teachers.

Volunteers came from Hays and as far away as Andover, according to Krug.

Additional expertise for the Plains Indian camp, which took two days to set up, came from a volunteer at Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife area south of Russell.

This was the third annual Kansas Day event organized by Delta Kappa Gamma.

“We want it to be more and more like a children’s museum with lots of hands-on activities,” said Krug.

“Children learn by doing.”