The creation of Congaree Swamp Stories coincided with the release of the Ken Burns’ film series The National Parks: America’s Best Idea. This website is a resource for those who are interested in learning more about the diverse natural and cultural history of the park.
During the summer of 2009, Congaree National Park partnered with several organizations including South Carolina ETV for a special technology camp. The campers included a group of rising 5th graders from Gadsden Elementary School. The purpose of the camp was to engage students in re-telling "Congaree Swamp Stories" in their own voices, through photos, videos, and their written words.
This project was made possible in part by a grant from the National Park Foundation. The America's Best Idea Grant was awarded to assist National Parks in bringing in underserved audiences and telling "untold stories" across the country.
Watch some of the camp speakers and view more about the history of the Congaree in "Roots in the River" from Carolina Stories.
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CONGAREE SWAMP STORIES CAMP WORKSHOP SPEAKER Adventures in Hunting and Dressing Wild Game, Including Lessons on How to Butcher a Hog and Fillet a Fish, as well as Red Versus Black River Swamps, Swamp...
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CONGAREE SWAMP STORIES CAMP WORKSHOP SPEAKER Fishing with Dough Balls and Bamboo Poles While Growing Up Near the Playground That Was the Congaree Mr. Jimmy Dinkins lives in Gadsden on the same...
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CONGAREE SWAMP STORIES CAMP WORKSHOP SPEAKER Stories About Observing Wildlife at Cedar Creek, Helium Balloons, Survival Tips, and Saving the Swamp One of the founding fathers of Congaree National Park...
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CONGAREE SWAMP STORIES CAMP WORKSHOP SPEAKER The Pleasures and the Dangers of Hunting the Animals of the Swamp and Observing Its Wildlife, Including Snakes and Snake Bites Mr. John Paul lives in...
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Congaree Swamp Stories Camp Workshop Speaker What Happened to the Congaree Indians, and Learning from Native American Artifacts, Culture, Foodways and Creation Stories Ms. Pam Corwin, a biologist for...
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CONGAREE SWAMP STORIES CAMP WORKSHOP SPEAKER Owl Calls and Influences In Becoming a Ranger Involving a Love of Snakes, Featuring Stories of Snake Experts and Flying Squirrels, as well as How the...
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CONGAREE SWAMP STORIES CAMP WORKSHOP SPEAKER An Account of Baptism, How Things Were Different and What Still Remains, Including Conversations About Fishing, Drum Shouts and Cotton Gins Ms. Ruby Rice...
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CONGAREE SWAMP STORIES CAMP WORKSHOP SPEAKER Recollections of Precarious Visits to Kingville and Working Beside the Railroad at the Commissary Store, In Addition to Fond Remembrances of Smells and of...
