Stuffed animals who love adventures, new experiences and making new friends can be dropped off soon for a free Teddy Bear Camp.
Hosted by Indiana Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Historic Preservation & Archaeology, organizers of the May 11-22 “camp” say they will take the stuffed friends along the National Road on an adventure they’ll never forget.
Children ages 5 to 12 can send one stuffie each to learn about Indiana history, architecture and archaeology. Photos will be taken to commemorate their journey.
U.S. 40 was the nation’s first federally funded highway and cuts through the heart of Indiana from Richmond to Terre Haute.
Facebook posts will highlight the adventures, and a digital photo album will be emailed to parents/guardians following camp.
Participating stuffies should not be fragile or priceless. Kids and their stuffies will receive an Indiana Junior Preservation certificate.
To register, families can complete the form at on.IN.gov/teddy-bear-camp and deliver it with the stuffie between 3-5:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 12, at Morrisson-Reeves Library, 80 N. Sixth St., Richmond. Stuffies then need to be picked up between 3-5:30 p.m. Friday, May 22, at the library.
Drop-off and pickup sites also are planned at Indiana State Museum in Indianapolis and Vigo County Public Library in Terre Haute.
Previous participants have stopped at sites including Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Fort Harrison State Park and Indiana State Museum.
A version of this article appeared in the May 6 2026 print edition of the Western Wayne News.