TOCCOA - The director of the Blue Ridge Outdoor Education Center in Toccoa said he is working on an apology letter to a group of parents whose children became part of a re-enactment of the Underground Railroad.
Rich Bowerman told Atlanta's Channel 2 News the parents should have been notified in advance about the activity, but he has defended the activity and the element of surprise for the students. Bowerman told the TV station that not telling the students about the activity allowed them to experience the fear and confusion slaves might have actually felt.
All of the students who took part in the simulation were African-American female students from Atlanta.
Bowerman said students of all races have participated in the simulation, and he said it is one of the most popular activities at the camp.
The students participated in the Underground Railroad exercise, which involved their kneeling on the ground with camp counselors standing over them with a whip, in early June, according to the TV station.
The parents said they did not find out about the exercise until the campers returned home.
Saturday
May 4th, 2024
11:23PM
