Youth showmen learn valuable skills

Earlier this month, the 307 Northeast Show Clinic series welcomed over 50 4-H and FFA members from the northeast area of Wyoming as well as participants from South Dakota into Sundance. The 307 Show Clinic, a partnership between the Crook and Weston County 4-H programs, along with local show industry experts, teaches participants all about showing, fitting, feeding, and care of their animal projects. Generous donations from local businesses helped to keep the cost low for attendees and contributed to the great success of the camp.

The clinic, hosted at the Crook County Fairgrounds, began with lessons on showing and caring for poultry, rabbits, cats, and dairy goats. This was the first year for the clinic in these areas and youth found the workshops educational and useful. The next two days of clinics were for large animal livestock. The focus was on daily feed, care and management, handling techniques, skin conditioning, hair care, clipping, shearing, fitting, and showmanship for livestock projects. Participating youth had the opportunity to work with beef, sheep, swine, and goat show industry experts from Wyoming utilizing hands-on learning to help youth build their skills. Sundance Veterinarian, Wade Crawford, spoke with youth on disease prevention and proper vet care. Youth were taught how to market and promote their market animal projects for county fair and sales. The clinic also provided youth the opportunity to put their newly acquired skills to the test at a showmanship competition as a wrap-up to the event. The weekend clinic covered horse showing. Youth learned about the importance of vet care, grooming, using the correct equipment and then practiced showing and perfecting their riding skills.

The unique opportunity for youth to participate in a series of show clinics and participating in a program specific to their species of interest also allowed them to simultaneously interact with peers, helping youth to broaden their knowledge about animals, troubleshoot questions, and gain a better understanding of the show industry through interpersonal interactions. Additionally, many youth attending camp left with friends from neighboring counties, leadership experience helping their peers, and higher self-esteem resulting from increased knowledge about their projects.

Showing animals increases youth responsibility, integrity, record keeping, leadership skills, and perseverance. Participation in 4-H and FFA has been shown to strengthen youth leadership skills, but showing animals gives these youth an advantage to their peers in responsibility and decision making. Family involvement is also increased in animal projects as well as record keeping ability and confidence. Social relations and character development life skills are enhanced through livestock showing according to a study by Texas Tech University and validated by the University of Nebraska.

After a highly successful year, 307 Northeast Show Clinic organizers are excited to see how the camp will grow and evolve over the next few years. Please contact the Extension Office at 283-1192 with any questions about 4-H or how you can help with future camps.

Submitted by Sara Fleenor