The Battle of the Chesapeake on September 5, 1781, was a crucial naval battle of the American Revolutionary War that pitted the British and French fleets against each other. The encounter was strategically decisive, in that it prevented the Royal Navy from reinforcing the besieged British forces at Yorktown, Virginia, several weeks later. That October 19 action proved to be the last major land battle of the war in North American, as the surrender and the capture of the British army prompted England to negotiate an end to the conflict.
History comes alive in Saturday sessions where pre-teens and teens find a new dimension—a miniature one—to learning about some of the most important battles in history. Each includes four hours of live online instruction with Al Gaspar and Taliesin Knol: two focused on history, and two of facilitated diorama construction in which participants make their own terrain boards and lead troops of 1/72-scale soldiers in war games that offer vivid insights into the military strategies and conflicts that have shaped the world.
NEW! Adults can now join this class with their young person for an added fee. Looking for a fascinating and fun learning experience to share with the 6th-to-11th grader in your family? Register to join them using the '1 Adult-1 Child' price type and enjoy working and learning together! Adults will receive their own kit in the mail, along with their student's kit, and can join each class together from one device.
Please Note: At this time, adults are not able to register on their own; they must have a child participating in the class as well. However, students do not have to draft an adult to join them—they can still take part in the classes on their own.
For Grades 6-11
2 Sessions Total (Saturdays): Oct. 24 and 31
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Note: This Adventure breaks for lunch from 12 p.m.-1 p.m.
Materials Included
-Diorama kits will be mailed to participants and is included in the cost of the program.
-You MUST email us at TSACamp@si.edu if you need the kit mailed to a different address than what we have on file.
-International shipping can be honored for an additional fee. Please be sure to give us ample notice of shipping addresses to ensure kit arrives on time.
-If you do not receive your kit within 2 weeks before the class begins, please email us at TSACamp@si.edu.
Materials You Must Provide (please have all these materials prior to the start of class)
-Masking Tape
-Elmer’s liquid glue (no glue sticks)
-Basic acrylic paints (this set will last you multiple weeks) in Black, white, browns & tans, light green, dark green, light blue, dark blue, red, yellow. This is a full set available on Amazon that contains all colors listed and then some.
-For those with more painting experience and advanced brush control, consider Army Painter acrylic paint set (available on Amazon) or Vallejo paint set (available on Amazon)
-Nylon or Synthetic Paint Brushes: Fine round brushes for details, small flat brushes for larger areas. Suggested sets: Amazon nylon brush set; Michael's synthetic value pack. If you are taking more than one session of Soldiers & Dioramas, it is suggested you purchase a couple sets, as the brushes wear out.
