On a high point on the Blue Mountains, Dietrich Snyder built a log house.

The building was perfectly positioned to watch over a heavily-used pathway that went over the mountains. Although it was small, the log house was occupied as needed by soldiers during the French & Indian Wars of the 1750s.At that time in Pennsylvania history, the majority of the population lived in Philadelphia; Reading was also thriving and newly-established.The Blue Mountain ridge was a natural barrier, and the lands north of the ridge were wilderness. In 1754, records show that only 28 hardy souls were brave and resourceful enough to live north of the Blue Mountain.It was a time when the safety of yourself and family depended on outdoor skills - especially shooting, both wild game and enemies.From May 25-29 over Memorial Weekend, the Blue Ridge Rifle Muzzleloader Club will give you and your family an awesome opportunity to step back in time to their annual primitive encampment and demonstration of outdoor skills, at a site located only about a mile from the "Fort" Dietrich Snyder site.The club is hosting the Eastern Pennsylvania Rendezvous and Muzzleloader shoot at its 22-acre range, located off Route 183, south of Summit Station.New this year is an in-line muzzleloader shoot."Craig Morgan of the Schuylkill Conservation Distict suggested it might be a way to attract younger people," said Doyle Dietz of the Blue Ridge Rifle Muzzleloader Club. "I'm sure in time (learning to use an in-line) could attract people to flintlock and percussion rifles - if a visitor expresses an interest in shooting, there will always be people willing to work with them."Dietz said that the folks participating in the primitive encampment enjoy interacting with visitors. Children can enjoy traditional games such as stick horse races and various arts and crafts projects."The public hours are from 9 to 5 daily, and shooting is done in 15-minute relays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.," Dietz said. "There is a lunch break from noon to 1 p.m. Both campers and day shooters may compete - paper targets are available for five or three-shoot matches."Blue Ridge is dedicated to preserving and teaching Early American History as it relates to pre-Colonial Pennsylvania, with a special focus on defining the lifestyle, ideals, patriotism and freedoms of early American pioneers of the 1750-1840 era, Dietz said.Since its founding in 1976, the club has presented living-history encampments at the Bavarian Festival, Schuylkill County Fair, Bear Creek Festival and Locust Lake State Park. Blue Ridge is one of 25 clubs which belong to the Pennsylvania Federation of Black Powder Shooters, and is also affiliated with the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association, the National Rifle Association, the Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen's Club and the Schuylkill County Sportsmen's Association.Club members donate their time to participate in various educational events to promote muzzleloader shooting, and the range has been the site for muzzleloader and .22 shooting during the three-day Norm Thornburg Youth Conservation Camp sponsored by the Schuylkill County Sportsmen's Association and JAKES Day sponsored by the Schuylkill Spurs Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation.For more information about the club, find them on Facebook at Blue Ridge Rifles Muzzleloader Club.