Historic green space becomes an unconventional classroom
Children across Atlanta are spending part of their summer learning among oak trees and monuments as Historic Oakland Cemetery converts its 48-acre grounds into a week-by-week learning program called Oakland Camp. The initiative mixes art, science, engineering and local history in activities meant to spark curiosity outside the usual classroom setting.
Organizers say the camp offers a different way for students to explore subjects while forming social connections. The program’s structure gives each week a distinct focus, and campers rotate through projects designed to blend discovery and hands-on practice.
Campers find variety and inspiration
For many participants, the broad selection of activities is the draw. One camper, Avie Krise, says the program’s rotating themes keep the experience fresh.
"My favorite part about Oakland Camp ... I like that it doesn't focus on just one thing. It focuses on many things," Avie said.
Avie also singled out one session that influenced future thinking: "I really liked the engineering one because I want to be a civil engineer when I grow up," she said. Camp leaders say moments like that are common when students try a range of disciplines in a low-pressure environment.
Leaders aim to reshape perceptions of the cemetery
Education Coordinator Mya Williams said many families express surprise at the idea of a cemetery as a place for play and learning. She emphasized that visitors are engaging with the site as both a green space and a place to study Atlanta’s past in a tangible way.
"I think they're always surprised by the fact that a cemetery can be fun," Williams said. "They're having fun, they're playing, they're learning, and they get to enjoy being here."
Ted Ward, Historic Oakland’s Director of Education and Youth Programs, framed the effort as an opportunity to bring history to life on the property. Ward pointed to the cemetery’s dual role as a cultural resource and a public green space where students can encounter the city's past directly.
What Oakland Camp offers
The program aims to build skills and curiosity through a mix of activities. According to camp staff and participant accounts, key program elements include:
- Art projects that use the landscape and monuments as inspiration
- Science activities that encourage observation and experimentation
- Engineering challenges that introduce design and problem-solving
- Local history lessons that connect students to Atlanta’s stories and places
Organizers say campers leave with more than crafts and experiments: they take home new friendships, enhanced curiosity and a changed perspective on one of the city’s oldest burial grounds.
Year-round educational role
Historic Oakland Foundation continues educational programming beyond the summer camp. The foundation offers guided tours, school field trips and other hands-on learning opportunities for students throughout the year, positioning the cemetery as an active resource for Atlanta schools and families.
| Program | Focus |
|---|---|
| Oakland Camp (summer) | Art, science, engineering, local history |
| School field trips | Guided history and site-based learning |
| Guided tours | Public education and historic interpretation |
For Atlanta families looking for alternatives to traditional day camps, Oakland Camp offers a blend of recreation and curriculum on a historic campus. By reframing a cemetery as a living classroom, organizers are expanding where and how children in the city encounter science, design and the stories that shaped their community.
