NATCHEZ — For three days, children are being transformed into Civil War soldiers.

Historic Jefferson College is sponsoring Civil War adventure camp from Wednesday to Friday. While at camp, the participants are taught commands and close-order drills, as well as the handling of weaponry.

“We want the kids to experience what it was like to be in the war, we even dress like the Confederate and Union soldiers,” Historian and Camp Coordinator Clark Burkett said.

Campers range from ages 8 to 12, and go to the camp from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The camp provided backpacks, water bottles, lunch and snacks, Civil War kepis and wooden guns.

For snacks the campers cooked salt pork and hard tack over an open fire.

“The snack we had is a lot better than the food we eat today!” camper Blaine McAndrews said.

The favored activities were the drills and learning how to shoot a muzzleloader with black powder. The Civil War camp brought in black powder safety expert Jack Kerwin. Each child was outfitted with earmuffs and protective goggles.

“I liked shooting the gun, it was really fun, it helps you to learn about the Civil War and the olden days,” camper Daniel Garrity said.

During the drills, the campers were put into two lines, and given wooden guns to practice with. Commanders would call out an order and demonstrate it, much like a Civil War soldier would.

“I have learned about marching, turning and flanking,” camper Phillip Roberts said.

As the week progresses, Chuck Mayfield will give a cavalry demonstration, Alton Bonds and Donnis Davis, both artillerymen, will give a lesson on shooting cannons with the help of Chip Landry, a Civil War re-enactment commander.

“This is a good chance to get kids outside instead of watching TV or playing video games,” Burkett said.

This is the second year of the camp, and definitely not the last.

“If we can get enough interest, we will do a Civil War weekend in the fall,” Burkett said. “We are considering a World War II camp also.”