Exploring Abandoned Towns (Ghost Towns) of the American West

* To help accommodate many families, this class is scheduled to meet either once a week for 3 weeks or for 3 days in one week.  Choose whichever format which works best for you :)
 
Do you want to learn more about legendary abandoned towns of the American West (the western part of the United States)?  Do you want to know why many people call them  ghost towns?  Do you want to know more about why people settled in these towns and then later abandoned them?  In each class we will explore different aspects of ghost towns located in the American West.

Classes will be taught through discussion and using pictures (through a PowerPoint presentation) that I have taken at many of the ghost towns that I have visited personally.  My first hand knowledge of ghost towns allows me to share my knowledge of what I learned, explored and know about many ghost towns located in the American West.  We will discuss the history, geography, artifacts, and stories of many ghost towns.  Students will be given the opportunity to ask questions and express their thoughts during the lesson.  At the end of each lesson learners will be given the opportunity to share what they learned and liked about the lesson.

Students only need an inquisitive mind and an interest in history to enjoy this class. No homework is required for this course but activities will be provided that learners are encouraged to do to help enhance their learning.

Day 1- Learn what a ghost town is and the history of ghost towns in the American West.  We will compare the towns that once existed to what those towns look like today.  I will also share personal artifacts from the early settler days that have been handed down to me by family members through several generations.
Day 2- The 7 most famous ghost towns of the American West (why are they considered the most famous ghost towns?)
Day 3- Exploration of several smaller ghost towns that are unknown to many + review and discussion of what was learned in the previous lessons.

*Follow up activities will be provided for each learner at the end of every class.  This will help to enhance each learners knowledge of what they learn.