Camp Homer’s Odyssey: An Epic Journey

Over 3 days, students will become familiar with  the oldest known piece of work in Western literature. Students will also draft a script for a readers theater that will be presented by the students on the last day of class. 

Day 1: Campers will introduce themselves and gather round the virtual campfire! In the spirit of the oral tradition of the epic poem, the campers will listen to the story being told of Odysseus and his 20-year journey home fro Ithaca following the Trojan War. This is a kid-friendly version of the story with a tad bit of non-graphic violence when the giant cyclops, Polyphemus, eats a few of Odysseus’ crew mates. There will be slides of the Mediterranean Sea, maps, and Greek artworks presented during the storytelling time.  Characters will be introduced. There will be a discussion of themes and ideas for a script. 

Day 2: Campers will decide which roles they wish to play and begin collectively writing a script. There will be a lecture on the format of ancient performances. Campers should feel free to grab s’mores ingredients to build replicas of Ancient Greek structures using marshmallows and graham crackers or other alternative snacks.

Day 3: Campers will rehearse the readers theater play and then give a final performance, inviting their grown up to watch from the same device. If time, there will be a cast party!