We are very involved with the 4-H program. Dennis is a project leader. Dayna and Krysten are both members of the Curious Companions Camelid Club. Kim manages to keep everybody in line and that's a job in itself.
We actually started in the alpaca industry because we were looking for an animal for the kids to work with in 4-H after hearing about what a great program it is.
The kids have to keep a record book of their activities with their animal and other activities they participate in to show how they are well rounded individuals. These skills will follow them through for the rest of their lives. There are several events at fair that they have to prepare their animal and themselves for, like Fit and Show, Trail Obstacles, Public Relations Obstacles, and Handler class.
Fit and Show
The kids dress up in black and white, groom their animal, and show the animal to it's best. The judge will ask them a question to which they will need to know the answer or properly respond that they don't know it and will research it for her. The children earn ribbons based on how well they perform against the ideal standard, not how they perform against each other. The animals are not being judged, just the child and how they can show the animal.
Trail Obstacles
The child leads their animal through a series of obstacles designed to simulate things that may be encountered while taking a walk in the wilderness. Some examples of obstacles would be jumps, fallen trees, duck under, and through water. The animal is being judged on how they react to the obstacles, while the child is being judged on how they handle the animal through the course.
Handler Class
The kids enter a pen one at a time and demonstrate the different skills required to safely work with an alpaca or llama.
Skills demonstrated:
- Quick Release knot
- Show eyes, ears, nose and mouth
- Pick up feet safely
- Remove halter
- Catch and halter properly
Public Relations Obstacles
The child leads their animal through a series of obstacles designed to simulate things that may be encountered while taking a walk in the city. Some examples of obstacles would be jumps, balloons, duck under, crowds and petting. The animal is being judged on how they react to the obstacles, while the child is being judged on how they handle the animal through the course.
4-H 