Camp helps youth learn the dairy showmanship ropes

By Kristin Kveno
The Land Staff Writer

May 09, 2008 03:17 am

— Since 2003 the University of Minnesota Gopher Dairy Camp has been helping youth gain more experience and knowledge about dairy showmanship. Through word-of-mouth and a little publicity the number of young people who have attended the camp has grown steadily throughout the last five years.
“The state 4-H Dairy Committee decided there was a need for dairy showmanship,” said Brad Heins, co-chair of the camp. The committee recruited Heins to start the camp, which is located on the St. Paul campus of the U of M. The location of the camp was chosen because it is a “central area where a lot of the dairy 4-H kids are.”
The camp is for students in grades sixth through 11th who are interested in learning dairy showmanship. While no dairy experience is needed, it is helpful to have some knowledge on the subject.
According to Heins, the camp pairs up campers and they work together to get their heifers ready for the showmanship contest. The showmanship contest winners receive a show ring halter. Campers also learn herdmanship facts, watch fitting demonstrations and take part in a dairy judging workshop and contest.
When the camp first started the number of campers who attended was in the low 70s but now the camp has around a hundred campers. Campers come from all over the state to attend. With so many youth now attending, it is their word-of-mouth that has made the camp so popular. According to Heins, youth come to the camp to learn a lot and have fun and they tell their friends about it.
One of those young people who enjoyed her camp experience is Megan Herberg. Herberg found out about the camp when she received a flier in 4-H. She was one of the inaugural campers at the 2003 camp.
“It is a good way to learn about dairy and meet dairy kids from across the state,” Herberg said. While Herberg grew up on a Holstein farm outside of St. Peter, she wanted to learn more about dairy showmanship. One of the things she learned from the camp was “what to pack in the show box,” she said.
It wasn’t just the instructors’ information that Herberg appreciated, she also felt it was “nice to learn from kids that had more experience.”
While learning the fundamentals of dairy showing was something Herberg took away from her time at camp it was the friendships that she made that has had a lasting impression on her. Some of her closest friends are those she met at camp.
Herberg attended camp in both 2003 and 2004, “it was fun to see everyone again,” she said. She also enjoyed the challenge of trying to win the showmanship contest, which she did in 2004.
The camp was a “good starting point,” Herberg said. “I learned some good fitting skills that I didn’t have before.”
What is her advice for those attending camp for the first time?
“Don’t be afraid to ask questions to the older members.” She also would encourage campers to get involved. It was “an awesome experience.”
The camp runs June 12-14 and costs $80 per camper. The fee covers housing, meals and materials. Campers stay at Bailey Hall on the St. Paul campus. For more information or to register log on to www.ansci.umn.edu/gopherdairycamp.

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