Monday Recap
- Madison Smith
- Jul 13
- 6 min read
Today at Camp Freedom, we spent the day stepping back into the days of the American Revolution. We heard the stories of the people who sacrificed so much so that future generations, including us, could enjoy liberty.
Henry Knox
Our first presenter was Henry Knox, one of George Washington's most trusted officers.
He began his story with the growing tensions in Boston. The Sons of Liberty protested British rule while British soldiers—often mockingly called "Lobsterbacks" because of their red coats—stood guard throughout the city. One day Colonists taunted the soldiers who were guarding the couthouse in Boston. They began by poking and teasing them. Then they began throwing snowballs, ice, and eventually rocks. The frustrated soldiers fired into the crowd, killing five colonists. This later became known as the Boston Massacre.
Soon after, the British government tried to seize colonial weapons. The colonists had concealed many of their firearms in Concord. They were unwilling to surrender their weapons, believing that a free people must be capable of self-defense. As our speaker expressed it, "Without our guns, we become their slaves." As the British advanced toward the town to gather the weapons, the colonists obstructed their path. Both sides held their positions until a shot unexpectedly rang out. This resulted in the deaths of many colonists and was a significant event that contributed to the start of the war.
However, having muskets was not sufficient. General George Washington was in dire need of cannons. These cannons were located almost 300 miles away at Fort Ticonderoga. Henry Knox volunteered for what many thought was an impossible task. During the winter of 1775, Knox gathered 54 heavy cannons and started transporting them to Boston. On the journey, they used boats and traveled on Lake George to hasten their progress, where they nearly faced disaster. One of the boats carrying the cannons got stuck on a submerged rock. Instead of giving up, Knox told the men, "If God wants us to have our liberty, he will help us." He then encouraged everyone to pray. That night, a storm swept across the lake, freeing the boat and allowing them to continue their journey.
When they got over the lake, they built massive sleds to transport the artillery. It was winter, and they had anticipated snow to help drag the cannons. Instead, they found nothing but thick mud. Once again they prayed, and shortly afterward a heavy snowstorm blanketed the region with nearly two feet of snow—exactly what they needed. The challenges and miracles didn't stop there. They had to bring the cannons through mountain trails. Descending steep mountains required incredible ingenuity. Instead of placing the oxen in front of the sleds, they often positioned them behind the cannons to act as brakes, preventing the enormous loads from racing uncontrollably downhill.
Upon reaching the Hudson River, they discovered it was frozen, but not sufficiently solid. The ice was dangerously thin. The men took two days throwing buckets of water over the frozen ice, reinforcing a portion of the river to form an "ice bridge" strong enough to transport the cannons across. Nearly every cannon made it safely across- except one. The largest cannon, nicknamed "Big Bertha", broke through the ice and sank into the freezing river. It was too valuable to abandon. Using ropes, teams of oxen, and sheer determination, the men pulled the massive cannon from the river's floor, built a new sled, and continued the journey.
After nearly six exhausting weeks, Knox and his men arrived outside Boston on January 27, 1776. Washington secretly placed the cannons on Dorchester Heights, overlooking Boston Harbor. When the British awoke and saw the fortified heights covered with artillery, they realized they could no longer hold the city. Rather than face devastating losses, they evacuated Boston. Freedom had been won. Not by luck, but through faith, perseverance, and extraordinary sacrifice. Our speaker reminded us that preserving liberty often requires doing difficult things. Henry Knox's journey proved that ordinary people can accomplish extraordinary tasks when they refuse to quit.
Sarah Bradley Fulton
Our second presenter, Sarah Bradley Fulton, helped us understand why the colonists were willing to risk everything.
After the French and Indian War, Britain had accumulated enormous debt. King George III believed the American colonies should help pay for the war. The colonists generally accepted taxes that helped provide for their defense. What angered them were new taxes imposed only on the colonies—including the Sugar Act, the Stamp Act, and later the Tea Act.
The issue wasn't simply paying taxes, it was that Americans had no representatives in Parliament. The more the Colonists resisted the unjust taxation, the more the king tightened his grip on them.
Many colonists joined the Sons of Liberty and Daughters of Liberty. When the King put a tax on tea, these Colonists refused to buy any. The King then said that they still had to pay the tax for any tea that came onto American soil. When British ships carrying taxed tea arrived in Boston Harbor, the colonists first tried the peaceful route, asking that the ships simply return to England with their cargo. When those requests were refused, a group of men disguised themselves as Mohawk Indians to avoid being identified and arrested. Boarding the ships, they dumped 342 chests of tea into Boston Harbor in what became known as the Boston Tea Party.
The Kings response was swift. Parliament passed the Coercive Acts (known by the colonists as the Intolerable Acts), closing Boston Harbor until the tea was paid for and placing Massachusetts under much tighter British control. Instead of crushing the desire for liberty, these punishments united the colonies even more.
George Washington
Our final was George Washington. One interesting detail he shared was the symbolism some early Americans saw in the three-cornered (tricorn) hat. Besides being practical for keeping rain off the shoulders, some viewed its three corners as a reminder of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
We then discussed the Declaration of Independence, signed 250 years ago by 56 courageous men. Signing that document was an act of treason against the British Crown. Many of those signers lost fortunes, homes, businesses, or family members. Some were imprisoned. Others watched sons die in the war. Yet they believed that freedom was worth all the sacrifices they endured to secure it.
We then talked about the United States Constitution. Unlike a monarchy, America's government was founded on the revolutionary idea that the people govern, and that government exists to serve the people—not the other way around. Our presenter reminded us that throughout America's history, countless men and women have sacrificed to preserve those freedoms that are protected by that document.
We also learned about Eleanor "Nellie" Parke Custis Lewis, George Washington's beloved granddaughter. Raised at Mount Vernon, she was known for her intelligence, wit, and courage. The presenter shared stories about Nellie, illustrating that women also played important roles in shaping our nation's history and that courage is not limited by age or gender. Every person can make a difference. Our presenter compared our lives to ripples on a pond. One small action creates ripples that continue far beyond what we can see. The choices we make today affect generations yet to come.
History is filled with ordinary people who were courageous and willing to do hard things:
-Henry Knox hauled cannons through impossible conditions.
-The Sons and Daughters of Liberty stood up for principles they believed were worth defending.
-The signers of the Declaration risked everything.
-George Washington chose service over personal power.
Each one created ripples that still reach us 250 years later.
Anyone can make a difference. Even children can make a difference. And the ripples we create today may last for eternity. ❤️🤍💙
Thank you very much for being with us today! We are excited to learn more together over the course of the week! Here are a few things you should know:
On Friday morning, we will hold a program where the children can show their families what they have been learning. Please plan to arrive by 8:30. The program will start at 9.
Your children received a booklet today, which contains suggested memorizations. They will earn a reward for each one they pass off. If they complete a specific number of memorizations, they will receive an award during Friday's program. You can find information on the requirements either in the booklet or here on our website.
Your children should have received a t-shirt today. Please have them wear it during the week, especially on Friday for the program. If you wish, you can order extra t-shirts for yourself or your family here. While we cannot promise delivery by Friday, we will provide them to you as soon as we have them.
The kids also learned about the meaning behind each of their groups. We will add those to the website soon so that you can read all about them!
The weather is hot! We are in the shade most of the day, but please make sure that your kids have a water bottle so that they stay hydrated.
The children are learning a song specifically composed for Camp Freedom this year to commemorate the 250th Anniversary of the Signing of the Declaration of Independence. The song is titled "Born to be Free." You can listen to it and find the lyrics here. Feel free to enjoy it with your family and help your kids get comfortable with it before Friday.
We are so glad you have joined us this week! See you tomorrow!!
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