Day Camp...or Farming 101

Every year we descend on Hovander Homestead Park in Ferndale, WA. The last week in July we hold Camp Fire Day Camp. I am the co-director. We actually spend the week in the park. Dennis (park ranger) allows us to pull in the camp trailer..where we keep the day camp supplies and watch over the day camp tents and such. What I think the Smith kids enjoy almost more then the day camp is that this park has worked at maintaining that homestead look. The original farm house and barn are still there and to add to that farm are the animals. Mychal began volunteering at this park 3 years ago. So each morning we are there..they are up early and ready to begin the farm chores with great excitement. Now my parents on the other hand...had to drag me out of bed most mornings...especially those cold Idaho mornings. I am really glad they get this experience and love it. Dennis and the other park workers enjoy the break. In fact this year on Wed morning..we woke up to discover a note on the car window.."Smith Clan, I have an early meeting this morning. I have unlocked the door for you. Dennis." So off the kids walked to the barn to load up and feed the animals. They had rabbits, pigs, goats, sheep, horses, cows, chickens, ducks, turkeys and peacocks/hens and chicks to feed. Actually the horses and cows only get a lick or two of grain. You have to call them and shake the pan and then feed them. The reason is on the occasional escape from the pasture..they can use this to call them back and they will come running back at the sound of the feed in the pan and "here horsey...horsey or cow cow. They really love this and wish we lived closer to the park it is about a 30 minute drive with no traffic issues. The thought of getting them up and there in the morning...a couple days a week. I think the excitement would soon fade. So I think we will just continue with the occasional working...they also do this when we are there for the Highland Games in June..but that is usually just one or two mornings and not all week. I should add that Zeke did learn that the electric fence really only hurts for a few seconds.