Supt. Ryan watches as Jaclyn Grippo, 7, tries her hand at a Revolutionary War game

PATTERSON — The sounds of a musket! The erecting of an 18th century tent! A makeshift medical field center! Flags of the original Colonists!

Sites like these usually only seen in history books came to life over the weekend at the Matthew Paterson Elementary School when members of the Carmel High School Living History Club took second graders on a tour through time.

Faculty advisors Gary Petagine and Rob Bucheri have been leading the charge for years.

“High school kids really love the curriculum since they are learning what transpired hundreds of years ago up close. By touching and feeling a musket and displaying flags of yesteryear, our students really learn to appreciate what our great history is all about,” said Bucheri.

Petagine agreed telling the Putnam Courier, “Anything that can be brought to life adds to study. The younger children enjoy the explanations from the ‘big high school kids’ which will hopefully plant a seed for them to expand their horizons in years to come.”

Carmel Superintendent of Schools Dr. James Ryan stopped by during the daylong encampment. Ryan called the program “exceptional. Elementary students and high school youngsters working together under the supervision of experienced educators has gone a long way towards fostering the educational process in the Carmel District.”