Building Tomorrow, Honoring Yesterday

Grandparents and Grandchildren Discover How Communities Grow, Preserve, and Thrive

It takes a village to raise a child, and this summer it will take an entire community to create an unforgettable learning experience for grandparents and grandchildren.

From June 22–26, 2026, the Rivers House Heritage and Adventure Center's Camp Heritage for Grandparents and Grandchildren will bring together local organizations, government agencies, community leaders, and volunteers to help young people discover how communities are built, preserved, and sustained.

The camp will be held each day from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., beginning at the historic Village Improvement Association (VIA) Clubhouse, 17 North Palmetto Avenue, one of Green Cove Springs' most treasured historic landmarks.

A True Community Effort

Camp Heritage is a collaborative project sponsored by the Village Improvement Association and the Green Cove Springs Preservation Society, but its success depends upon many community partners who are donating their time, expertise, and enthusiasm.

Organizations and agencies participating include:

• Village Improvement Association (VIA)

• Green Cove Springs Preservation Society

• Friends of the Green Cove Springs Library

• Clay County Historical Society

• City of Green Cove Springs departments

• Clay County officials and staff

• Local historians

• Community volunteers

• Preservation advocates

• Civic leaders

Each organization brings a unique perspective. The VIA helps preserve and share local traditions and community service. The Preservation Society focuses on protecting historic buildings and places. The Historical Society helps tell the stories of our past. The Friends of the Library encourage lifelong learning and curiosity. City and county officials help children understand how local government works and why public service matters.

Together, these partners demonstrate that strong communities are built through cooperation.

Learning How a Town Works

The week begins with an exploration of how communities function.

Campers will learn about local government, public safety, civic responsibility, and the many people who work behind the scenes to make a town successful. Visits and presentations will help children understand how decisions are made and how services are provided.

As the week progresses, participants will discover historic buildings, public spaces, community gathering places, and the stories that connect people to their hometown.

They will become "Archi-Detectives," learning to look closely at architecture and uncover clues about the past hidden in the buildings around them.

Why Preservation Matters

A major goal of Camp Heritage is helping young people understand the importance of preservation.Historic buildings are more than old structures. They are community memory. They tell us who we are, where we came from, and how previous generations lived and worked.

By exploring Green Cove Springs' historic neighborhoods and landmarks, campers will learn why preserving buildings and places helps protect the unique character of a community.

Preservation is not simply about saving old things. It is about ensuring that future generations can experience and learn from the places that shaped their town.

The Story Behind Box City

The highlight of Camp Heritage is the creation of Box City, a hands-on community-building project inspired by a program developed by the American Institute of Architects (AIA).

Architects created Box City to help children understand how communities are planned and designed. Rather than simply talking about city planning, children become planners, architects, builders, and decision-makers themselves.

Using boxes and recycled materials, participants create buildings and work together to design an entire community. The project teaches creativity, problem solving, teamwork, and civic engagement while helping children understand how different parts of a town connect to one another.

Building a Community Together

Throughout the week, campers will explore the essential pieces of a successful town:

• Government and public services

• Historic buildings

• Libraries and museums

• Parks and recreation

• Businesses and restaurants

• Neighborhoods

• Transportation

• Community gathering places

At the end of the week, all of these lessons come together as participants construct their own Box City. The finished city will reflect what they have learned about planning, preservation, public spaces, and community cooperation.

Some children may build homes. Others may design parks, schools, businesses, museums, or government buildings. Together they will create a city that reflects their vision of a thriving community.

Investing in Future Citizens

Camp Heritage is about more than a week of activities. It is about helping children understand that communities do not happen by accident. They are built by people who care enough to serve, preserve, volunteer, and work together.

By bringing grandparents and grandchildren together, the camp also creates opportunities to share stories, memories, and traditions across generations.

As participants learn about Green Cove Springs' past, they will also be encouraged to imagine its future.

The hope is that today's campers will become tomorrow's preservationists, community leaders, volunteers, architects, teachers, and engaged citizens.

And it all begins with a week of discovery, creativity, and cooperation at the historic Village Improvement Association.

Because when we teach children how communities are built, we help ensure they will be ready to preserve them.