By Leah Schwarting

NATCHEZ — At the museum of the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians, Will Cox, 7, pulls back on his arrow and takes aim at his target.

In a few minutes, he’ll head off to learn about extinct mammals, create pottery and practice archery. It’s all part of Discovery Week at the Grand Village.

Becky Anderson coordinates educational programming there, including Discovery Week. The goal is to give children a unique experience, one that differs from a field trip.

“With a field trip we only get them for an hour or two, so we’re only focused on history,” Anderson said. “This focuses on the culture.”

In the woods, Cox finishes his turn at the target and returns to the rest of the children. At home, Cox has a homemade bow that his uncle helped him make.

Discovery Week gave him another opportunity to pick up another bow.

“It lets me get my aim better when I practice,” Cox said.

His older brother, 9-year-old Kolby, enjoys the activities that involve more running around. One of his favorite activities was following the trails around the mounds.

“They’re cool to walk through and see all the nature,” Kolby said.

But there’s one thing that’s gripped his attention more than anything: stickball.

Stickball is a traditional Native American game similar to lacrosse, although the kids at Discovery Week have turned it into another, more modern, sport.

“We play stick baseball,” Kolby said.

It’s become something that the kids look forward to every day.

“Every day they learn a different game,” Anderson said. “Stickball just happens to be the one we run with all week, because these kids are really into baseball.”

Will and Kolby are the children of Amy and Ashley Cox of Natchez.

As a slightly less physical activity, Lance Harris, the site director, set up a station teaching kids about extinct mammals.

When he asked if any of the children were around four feet tall, Jolie Walker, 10, raised her hand.

He asked her to stand next to him and told children about the giant sloth, now extinct. Then, he asked them how big they thought it was.

After he listened to a few guesses, he patted Walker’s head.

“I think they were about four-feet tall,” he said.

The children smiled, but they all craned their necks to see better when he took out a reproduction spearhead.

Walker is the daughter of RaJean and Daryl Walker of Natchez.

Showing the children the tools is his favorite part of the presentation.

“It’s kind of a cultural thing, part of humanity,” Harris said.

However, after a few minutes, the kids got up and headed over to create pottery that they’ll be able to take home.

As they race to their next station, the air is filled with their calls and laughter.

“I like hearing the kids laugh and knowing that they’re having a good time learning something,” Anderson said.

The Grand Village of the Natchez Indians is hosting another Discovery Week for ages 5-6 that runs from June 23-26. Cost is $20.