About 28 campers from grades three through six were treated to a game of bowling at Pastime Lanes on Second Street in Marietta as part of “Change: The 1950s and 1960s.”

“We started this theme a few years ago with the teens and ’20s, then the ’30s and ’40s,” said Castle educator Kyle Yoho. “That way returning campers get to go through the decades.”

The trip to Pastime Lanes tied into the theme because bowling was a popular activity during the time period.

“We chose the bowling activity because today’s theme is ’50s fun, focusing on what people in Marietta and Washington County would have done for fun. We also played board games today and they made tuna casserole.”

– Kyle Yoho, education director at The Castle

Politics and movements, Hawaii—which became a state in 1959—pop culture and space exploration will be the focus for the rest of the week. The campers will visit the Marietta College planetarium and see a portion of “Battle Hymn” at the Peoples Bank Theatre, according to Yoho.

“I read that we get to have a luau so that will be a lot of fun,” exclaimed Hal Jeffrey, 10, of Marietta, who was having a pretty good bowling game. “I average 106.”

Some former campers took the opportunity to return as counselors because they have enjoyed the experience over the years. Lily Ditchendorf, 14, who will be a freshman at Marietta High School next month, was prompted to check out history camp by her grandmother.

“My grandma is really into history so I thought I would check it out. I think I was about 9 then and now I am a senior counselor,” Ditchendorf said. “It’s been a lot of fun so I wanted to keep coming back. I think this year will be my favorite.”

A couple of campers were treated to a special behind-the-scenes look at the game of bowling from behind the pins.

“It was really loud,” said Addison Parks, 9, who is in her second year at the camp. “They showed us how the machine picks up the pins.”

Parks and her older brother Jarrett, who at 13 is now a counselor, have had a great time at The Castle, according to their mother, Andrea.

“We stumbled onto this about five years ago when my son started going and he absolutely loved it. It’s their favorite camp of the year,” she said.

Cost of living 1955

• Yearly Inflation Rate: 0.28 percent
• Average cost of new house: $10,950
• Average monthly rent: $87
• Average hourly wage: $4.13
• Average cost of a new car: $1,900
• Cost of a gallon of gas: 23 cents
• Ladies swimsuit: $12.95
• Black and white TV: $99.95

Source: thepeoplehistory.com