At the Yorkshire Dales Young Archaeologists’ Club (YAC) each session has a different theme, be it an historical period such as the Romans or a specific area of archaeology, such as geophysics or pottery.
The club is run from the Dales Countryside Museum once a month for two hours on a Saturday by enthusiastic volunteer ‘Leaders’ from the local community. Children up to the age of 17 can become members and from the age of 16 you may become an ‘Assistant Leader’ and help run the sessions!
To find out more about the Yorkshire Dales Young Archaeologists’ Club email us at dcm@yorkshiredales.org.uk or call the Dales Countryside Museum on 01969 666210.
In addition, you can visit the UK wide YAC website.
Hands-on Learning
The YAC programme is all about hands-on and creative learning, with fun being at the top of the agenda. The Yorkshire Dales group is no different, encouraging the development of practical skills and harnessing the inquisitive minds of its members.
A Yorkshire Dales YAC member learning the craft of stone carving.
Yorkshire Dales Young Archaeologists taking part in an excavation at Low Bowbridge in 2011.
Site Visits
The Yorkshire Dales YAC regularly goes on field trips to important archaeological sites within the Dales. These visits are incredibly interesting for members and leaders alike and sometimes the group get to carry out practical activities at the sites.
Yorkshire Dales YAC members carrying out some survey work at the site of a Viking farmstead in Ribblehead.
Site visit to Surrender Lead Smelting Mill in Swaledale.
Birthday Celebrations
The Yorkshire Dales YAC celebrated its 5th Birthday in 2011 with lots of cake and party food. A Pike Drill, led by a fully armoured Medieval soldier, was just one of the activities that took place.
Cake and party food for the birthday celebration.
YAC members learning how to use a Medieval pike.
Leaders
No YAC group would run without charismatic volunteer Leaders and the Yorkshire Dales club is no different. Each leader offers something different to the group and as the pictures below demonstrate, they have as much fun as the children!
YAC Leader Rob playing the part..
YAC Leader Keith looks on tentatively at Rob’s stone carving efforts.