See Ya Later Alligator

It is our very last day of 4-H Animal Science Day camp.  Our campers have bid farewell to the campers from the other counties as we strike out on our own for the land down under, or at least under the border.  We left right away this morning for Myrtle Beach and Alligator Adventures.  Our campers were excited to come ashore and view turtles and other reptiles on their way to the giant creatures.
While at the Alligator Adventures they also viewed lemurs, all sorts of exotic birds, kangaroos, and Emus.  Our youth learned the difference between crocodiles and alligators.  They saw some of the injuries these incredible creatures suffer in the wild and from man.  They viewed Bobette (aka Bob), who is an alligator that suffers from a birth defect of having no tail.  Apparently common in the wild, but alligators do not survive long out there without a tail.  It is their rudder for swimming as well as a defense mechanism.  Bob has survived a long and happy life at Alligator Adventures with her own special pool and separated from the creatures that might single her out and pick on her.  Bob is just one of many reptiles who receive special care thanks to the zoo keepers at Alligator Adventures.
Our day campers also got a chance to attend two shows while there.  They got to see the feeding of the Alligators.  We decided they might taste like chicken because they eat so much of it.  We also attended the Wild life show and got to touch a baby alligator and blue tongued skink.  It was pretty awesome.  We also got to see lots of turtles.  They swim in the water with the Alligators but they cant eat them because of their shells, they are like a natural defense mechanism that jams the alligators mouths open so they can not devour the creatures.
After finishing up there we headed to Golden Corral for lunch.  We took our time and had lots to eat while we cooled off.  Then it was time to load up in the van and head off to our next adventure.
Staying below the border (but just barely) we headed to Reptile Lagoon at South of the Border.  There we got to see even more reptiles and get up close and personal with alligators, crocodiles, and tortoises.  Probably what caught our attention was a boa constrictor that was feeding.  Finally after seeing all there was to see we got on I-95 and headed North.  We had just enough time to complete our evaluations of camp and say our goodbyes.  So all we have to say is, after awhile crocodile!

Chewing it Up

  It was a hop skip and a jump for our third day of 4-H Animal Science Day Camp as we travelled to Raeford.  We went to see Stephanie Carter and her family's goat farm.  Stephanie is a 4-H alum and was well known in the goat showing circuit.  When we arrived we met our fellow campers from Bladen, Cumberland, and Hoke counties.  We split up into groups and worked with lots of really friendly goats.  We learned goats can be great for clearing grassy areas and problem vegetation like kudzo.  Sometimes they get a bad wrap for eating and climbing on everything but these goats didn't do that they were well behaved, just like us.
While we were at the Carter's farm we learned all sorts of things.  We learned the different parts of the animal, how to care for them, how to show them, and generally enjoyed when random ones just walked up to us and let us pet them.  It was a hot day on the farm, even though we were in the shade.  Our livestock agents with each county lead a bunch of lessons and we rotated to each.  We even learned when to tell if a goat has worms and needs medicine to kill them.  Worms are not good for goats.
  After spending the morning on the farm we travelled to the Hoke County office where we had a pizza lunch.  It was awesome!  Then we spent the afternoon learning about goats and pigs.  Mrs. Taylor and Mrs. Becky said they were going to certify us in Pig Quality Assurance or PQA.  We also learned about giving animals injections and practiced on pieces of fruit.
  After all the lessons it was time to load up in our van and head back to Robeson County.  Tomorrow is our last day with the other counties and there will be no bull about that.

You Can't Pull the Wool Over Our Eyes

.  The second day of 4-H Animal Science Day Camp was eye opening.  To start with we joined forces today with campers from Bladen, Cumberland, and Hoke Counties.  So you could say there are a herd of us now.  We travelled to Parkton to visit the Herndon Farm.  Benjamin Herndon is a 4-H member who shows lambs, chickens, and goats.  Today we got a chance to learn about lambs.  He has a bunch of them and for those of us who had never seen one before, today was the day to get up close and personal with them.
  The Livestock Agents from all the counties lead the different workshops today with a little help from volunteers from West Bladen High School, the Herndon Farm, and different Extension offices.  We learned the different parts of a lamb, how to show them and how to care for them.  We learned some safety advice on where to stand (sort of like with the horses we worked with yesterday) and how to handle them.  Some of the lambs were not happy about being handled.
  After being on the farm we travelled back to the Robeson County Extension Center where we ate lunch of hamburgers and fries.  When we got done it was time for a whole different kind of learning.
  We broke up into our groups again and rotated through workshops.  We examined the lamb poop to learn about fecal eggs, or worms.  We also learned how to measure a lamb using a tape that estimates weight.  We learned about the different meat cuts from lambs.  We also learned about feed rations using M&M's.  That was colorful and awesome.
  It wasn't long before we said goodbye to our friends from the other counties and got a chance to play the first round of our favorite summer game, "The Silent Game".  It was great and we are now ready for tomorrow.

No Horsing Around Here

  Kicking off our first day of our first week long day camp we were hoping no one got kicked.  For equine day, also known as Monday of Animal Science day camp, our campers were brave, daring, and most importantly safe.

  We started our day by traveling to Raleigh to visit North Carolina State University's (NCSU) Equine Education Unit.  To start with the unit manager Lawson Walston who started our day with a note about safety.  We learned where to stand when we approach a horse, the importance of wearing a helmet when riding, and how to listen to horses by watching their ears.  Our 4-H members also got a chance to meet two NCSU mounted police officers who ride a horse instead of riding in a patrol car.  Our youth had the opportunity to put their money where the horses mouth is.  What we mean is that they learned how to tell a horse's age by feeling their teeth.  This way if they ever have the opportunity to buy a horse they will know how old the horse is.  They also had the chance to pet a foal and learn how to approach them when they are with their mother's.  Most importantly we learned that horses are to be respected and listened to as we do our best to take care of them.

  From the Equine Education Unit we headed to lunch at Fountain Dining Hall on the NCSU campus.  Our 4-H members had a great lunch with plenty of choices.  Even Mrs. Taylor had to admit the food had gotten better since she had graduated.  Our youth, with full stomachs were happy to get on the vans as we took off for our next stop.

  In Castalia, NC is Roma Clydesdale Farm.  We didn't have much time when we got there but our youth got a chance to meet Hillbilly Max, a real life Clydesdale horse with furry ankles and all.  The big difference between Max and the horses we saw this morning was his size.  The Quarter Horses we saw were around 1500 lbs while Max was around 2100 pounds.  We also had the opportunity to see baby goats that were just a few days old and a Zebra that was happy to be out in the heat.  

After saying our goodbyes to our new friends we loaded up and headed home.  Ready for a new, sheepish adventure tomorrow.

An Extravaganza of Local Foods

It might have been an early morning for the Extension staff but it is one of our favorites.  Time for the Robeson County Farmer's Market, Summer Extravaganza.  For the last four or five years we have partnered with our local farmers to offer one heck of a sampling of the local foods they grow.  The farmers donated a great deal of what we "cook up" often with a healthy twist.  This year on the menu our staff included: Dirty Mashed potatoes, veggie pizza, cucumber salad, boiled nuts, egg plant mozzarella, sliders, much more (including blackberry lemonade and mint cucumber water to wash it all down with).
The Master Gardeners were on hand answering questions and helping the Jr. Master Gardeners sell some plants.  The hospital was on hand to make blueberry watermelon smoothies.  Lets not forget all the farmer's who were on hand making sure that everyone could buy everything they had sampled and more.
  We hope the extravaganza heated things up for our local farmers and their incredibly wonderful local foods.

Minding Our Manners

Our first Summer Fun day camp of 2015 is a new one day version of Etiquette Day Camp.  As in past years we focused on things that will allow our youth to be comfortable, and make others comfortable in a variety of settings.  Our day started with a lesson about others.  Our youth had the opportunity to make a character filled with terrible things that people say.  Then they balled up all the terrible things that are said and tossed them away, in an effort to clean the slate and be more considerate of others.
After a brief snack it was time to head to the highlight of the day for our campers... the Carolina Hotel at Pinehurst for our table manners session.
We arrived at this wonderful resort with the opportunity to have lunch in a private dining room while having an incredible meal.  Many of our campers were in awe of the table settings, crystal chandliers, and wonderful service.  One of our rules before we left the office was you may not like something but you may not talk about it.  If it is something you have not had before you must at least try it.  Our youth were amazed to find out they liked salad and the raspberry sorbet served between courses knocked their socks off.  When the main course of chicken, mashed potatoes, and broccoli came out it was familiar yet much more wonderful.  Then the youth knew all the hard work and learning from Mr. Brian was so worth while when they saw the black bottom cake being gently placed in front of them.
After a spectacular lunch our youth got a real treat, meeting Chef Thierry Debailleul.  After speaking to him about careers, food, and even school he allowed them the special treat of a tour of his kitchen.  The youth were impressed with all of it but their favorite part was the area where all the sweet treats were made.  It was really neat to see all the confections and the ins and outs of fine dining.
After a wonderful experience it was time to head back to the office and grab a few more lessons.  Dress to impress, handshakes and conversation starters, as well as social media etiquette were all topics we discussed.  Then it came time to host our own party as our parents came in for a little nosh, our youth showed them how to balance a cup of food and plate of punch while making a proper introduction.  They were etiquette experts and happy to meet and greet to practice their new skills.