For the past five summers Montgomery County Heritage Museum off I-45 North in Conroe has provided entertaining diversions for children ages 9-12. Entitled "Pioneer Days," the program is one in which the youth receive first person experiences that reveal the hard-ships, toil and leisure activities of early settlers, peculiar not only to Texans, but to most newcomers that carved this nation into being. "Pioneer Days" activities include churning butter and dipping candles, vital work for early settlers. In the hard labor area, the youthful students wash clothes by hand on rub boards and cut logs using a two-person pull saw, an endeavor that requires close simultaneous effort. They learn games like ball and jax and how to walk on stilts. Demonstrations of weaving and Indian dancing further enhance the experiences, topped off by a simulated archeology dig where the young explorers actually find some "artifacts." "Pioneer Days" run three weeks in July, with a choice of morning or afternoon sessions at the Heritage Museum, which the child attends for a week. Each class is limited to 20 children with four adults to supervise. A $25 fee is required to cover materials, and financial aid may be forthcoming in some situations. Dates of the ses-sions are July 10-14, July 17-21 and July 24-28. Registration began Friday and classes are expected to reach enrollment limits right away. For more information call the museum at (936) 539-6873. "Pioneer Days" and many other Heritage Museum activities are partially funded by a grant from the Conroe Commsion Arts and Culture. The Heritage Museum accepts unique collections for its displays. These are borrowed from local citizen are exhibited in locked, secure cases for three in Collections vary according to a wide range of interests need not be historic nature. Exhibitions currently include antique toys, from around the world, space mission memorabili and original Texas documents. To share your collection, call the number above. Peggie Miller Fine Arts columnist for THE COURIER reprinted from the Sunday, May 14, 2000 edition thanks, Jane Keppler sponsor for Montgomery County TX