SOLDIER GAMES AT ENGLISH CAMP

RELATED PAGES

Soldier Games

Cannonball throw

Hop, Step and Jump

60-Yard Dash

Blind-folded Foot Race

Sundays in the Park series schedule

Soldier Games return to English Camp Sunday July 30

posted 07/27/2006
San Juan Islanders and visitors can take a step into the past and compete just at U.S. soldiers and British Royal marines did in the 1860’s during Soldier Games, a program scheduled at 1 p.m., Sunday, July 30, on the English Camp parade ground.

The event is free. A golf cart is available to transport disabled persons to and from the parade ground. Call the park at 378-2240 or 378-4409 for additional special access information.

During the joint military occupation of the island the two camps regularly exchanged visits on special occasions – usually the Fourth of July at American Camp, and Queen Victoria’s birthday, May 24, at English Camp -- a tradition begun by Capt. George E. Pickett and Capt. George Bazalgette the very first year.

Contests included hop, step, and jump; foot race, 100yards; high leap, standing, and high leap running; long leap, running and long leap, standing; running backwards, 100 yards; throwing the shot; hurdle race, 150 yards; foot race, 150 yards; and foot race (blindfold), 100 yards.

The day also included novelty events such as a wheel barrow race (blindfolded), canoe and sculling races, a sack race, bobbing at rolls, carrying a bucket of water and walking a greasy pole.

The modern equivalent will feature some of the above, particularly the running and jumping contests, throwing the shot and perhaps wheel barrow and gunny sack races. But there will be no greased poles.

"Soldier Games" played at English Camp

Top photo contributed by William Frost
Rest of photos by Sharon Kivisto or Matt Pranger

posted 06/30/03
Park volunteers (and official "Honorary Royal Marines") Jim Meredith and Fred Henley conducted relay races once run by U.S. Army soldiers and Royal Marines as part of Soldier Games held at 1 p.m., Sunday, June 29, 2003 on the English Camp parade ground. The games commemorated actual competitions held at both park sites when they served as camps for the U.S. Army and Royal Marines from 1860 to 1872.

The soldiers and marines would alternately march the old Military Road to celebrate the Fourth of July, Queen Victoria's birthday and many other occasions. For example, on July 4, 1863, the Royal Marines traveled to American Camp for Independence Day. Witnesses recorded that following a "sumptuous dinner" the soldiers along with a large company of citizens adjourned to the prairie outside the camp, where a number of sports took place.

Two of the park's longest serving volunteers, Henley and Meredith have conducted the games for a generation of school children. Sunday's activities included:

• Hop, step and jump
• 60 yard dash
• throwing the shot
• and a footrace (blindfolded).

Participants competed in age categories and records were kept. Click on the race above to photos and the results.

Earlier this month, during a Friday Harbor Elementary School fourth grade field trip to British Camp, some preliminary races were run.

Gordie Marriner won the 60-yard dash with a time of 9.12 seconds, Sean Collins finished second. Marriner also finished first in the Hop, Step and Jump with a distance of 13 feet 10 inches. Tied for second were Clara Brand and Connor Townsend at 12 feet 7 inches.

"Soldier Games" are part of the park's Sunday in the Park series, scheduled each Sunday at English Camp. All activities are free.

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