Texas Patriots PAC hosted a “Vacation Liberty School” this past week and Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick gave the kids a Texas state government lesson.
The school, a one week day camp for 6- to 14-year-olds, teaches them “about why America is exceptional.”
The Lt. Governor divided the children up into state senators and state representatives, and taught them how a bill becomes law. The kids voted on whether texting while driving should be prohibited under Texas law.
The camp, held last week at the Woodlands Bible Church in The Woodlands, Texas, marked the fifth year for Vacation Liberty School (VLS).
VLS is described as a fun way for kids to learn about the founding of America and the principles that make America great. Campers learned about the American Revolution, the Founding Fathers, and the United States Constitution. Guest speakers and impersonators of American icons, Paul Revere, President George Washington, and Uncle Sam, also visited them. Children met such historical figures as Molly Pitcher, a patriot who carried pitchers of water to soldiers during the American Revolution’s Battle of Monmouth. She also helped with cannon duty. Charles Stewart, a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence, and the originator of the Texas state seal, also made an appearance.
Jim Stinson impersonates America’s first Vice President, and 2nd President John Adams and interacts with a class of students learning about the Founding Fathers. (Photo: Texas Patriot PAC/Luke) Bowen
The kids also met modern day patriots, those who serve at the local, regional, and statewide level: Gordy Bunch, Woodlands Township Board of Directors; Texas House Representative Mark Keough (R-Woodlands), and as mentioned, Lt. Gov. Patrick. Keough also serves as the pastor of the Woodlands Bible Church.
Lt. Gov. Patrick told Breitbart Texas, “Whenever I have an opportunity to speak to young people about our Constitution and our liberties I try to take advantage of those opportunities. It’s important for our children, and the next generation of young people, to fully understand the principles this nation was founded on.”
These kids learned about the structure of government and how this structure gives our citizens the most freedom and the most individual responsibility.
Julie Turner, president of Texas Patriots PAC told Breitbart Texas, “I have such huge respect for pastors who stand up on Sunday to restate God’s connection between freedom and individual responsibility. These values run throughout our Declaration of Independence and are made manifest in our Constitution and they still point us to the way to make this country the most free, most prosperous nation on earth.”
Turner expressed gratitude that the Woodlands Bible Church and Keough taught children about American history, the Constitution, and liberty.
The camp changes its curriculum each year so that returning campers can look forward to new material. The material is also tailored for specific age groups. The cost this year was just $100 for the first camper, and $50 for each additional camper. Vacation Liberty School will be held again next summer.
Although VLS ended on Friday, Texas Patriots PAC is thinking about offering it as an after school program during part of the year.
Turner told Breitbart Texas, “Our kids must know why America is different, and yes, better than other countries.” She added, “It’s because our founding principles and the structure of our government give ‘We the People’ the most freedom, and the most individual responsibility, of any citizenry on earth.”
The Tea Party patriot said, “Our kids need to learn about their proper civic roles. They won’t get this information anywhere else, reliably, and we must have future adults who know how this country should be operating and what tools are there to make that happen.”
Texas Patriots PAC also explores how they can help during “Celebrate Freedom Week” in Texas schools this fall.
A camper displays her “Ted-tea” bear and an audiotape of the latest “Rush Revere” book, gifts to Vacation Liberty School campers from Rush Limbaugh. (Photo: Texas Patriot PAC/Luke Bowen)
Provided for in section 29.907 of the Texas Education Code, “Celebrate Freedom Week” is designed to “educate students about the sacrifices made for freedom in the founding of this country and the values on which this country was founded.” Each social studies class for grades 3-12 must include, “instruction concerning the intent, meaning, and importance of the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution, including the Bill of Rights, in their historical contexts.”
Lana Shadwick is a contributing writer and legal analyst for Breitbart Texas. Follow her on Twitter @LanaShadwick2