Young Chautauqua program comes to Carson Valley

MINDEN - The Carson Valley Historical Society is teaming with the Douglas County Library to start the Carson Valley Young Chautauquans.

"We're very excited about the program," said Cherry Jones, a historical society volunteer. "It's a model program so they can begin to set it up all over the state."

The Chautauqua program is sponsored by the Nevada Humanities Committee and is designed to educate and entertain.

It consists of three parts.

First, the participant portrays a historical character. Next, the audience questions the presenter in character. And finally, the presenter comes out of character to field audience questions.

"It gives young people such an understanding of history and their place in history," Jones said. "It's a wonderful thing for those who love to read."

The Carson Valley Young Chautauqua program will be open to students from Carson City and the Carson Valley in grades fourth to twelfth.

It will follow the model of the Great Basin Young Chautauquans in Reno, who last year had close to 100 participants.

Jones said she is confident that the Carson Valley program will also be successful.

"I'm sure it will be great," she said. "The kids just have to find out about it."

However, she said they will continue the program regardless of the number of participants.

"We are ready to go whether we have five or 25," she said.

A meeting to inform parents and students will be held to the Carson Valley Museum and Cultural Center in Gardnerville on Monday at 7 p.m.

Participants from the Great Basin Chautauqua group will perform at the meeting.