MISSION SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO OPENS ‘MISSION CLUBHOUSE’
Native American basket weavers weaved the very first basket for the Mission Clubhouse when it opened to the public on November 6th.
Another hands-on activity includes spinning the Wheel of Mission Jobs, where kids will discover what could have been their role in the Mission community. Every individual performed jobs or chores to help keep the Mission running. Padres and soldiers taught the Native American Acjachemen tribe farming, ranching, candle making, leather making and many more jobs.
Kids also can build roman arches with miniature blocks. Arches are a main part of Mission history and can be seen along the corridors, within the Great Stone Church, and at the bell wall.
In all, the Mission Clubhouse includes four play stations:
1) Life size basket weaving
2) Job wheel; spin to see what your mission job could be
3) Build a roman arch with blocks
4) Word play (similar to madlibs)
Each child receives a Mission Clubhouse ID card, which they can sign and write down the job they were assigned from the job wheel.
The new Mission Clubhouse is open daily from 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. and is free with the price of admission.
About Mission San Juan Capistrano:
Known as the “Jewel of the Missions,” Mission San Juan Capistrano is a historic landmark and museum that boasts of quality permanent exhibits featuring original artifacts as well as traveling and temporary exhibits on a wide variety of topics.
The site itself serves as a living outdoor museum with original buildings constructed by Native Americans in the 18th century including the Serra Chapel, Great Stone Church, and the original padres’ quarters of the South Wing.
The Mission was founded on November 1, 1776 by Padre Junipero Serra as the seventh in the chain of the twenty-one California missions established by Spain, and is Orange County’s only mission. Every year, over 50,000 students visit the Mission and engage in an inspirational learning experience via the Mission Matters programming, as part of their State required California history studies.
Mission San Juan Capistrano is owned by the Diocese of Orange and is supported by the Mission Preservation Foundation, which is comprised of business and community leaders committed to ensuring the long term preservation and viability of Orange County’s only Mission. The Mission receives no funding from either the Church or the State of California and charges admission funds as a means of providing public access.
Mission San Juan Capistrano is located at 26801 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675. Open Daily 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Good Friday afternoon. Admission is $9 adults; $8 seniors (60 years or over); $6 children (ages 4 to 11); and children ages 3 and under are admitted free. Free audio guide with senior and adult admission. For more information, call (949) 234-1300 or visit www.missionsjc.com.
Joe Haakenson
