Young people from across Beadle County learned to work together, to be involved and serve their communities during the annual Beadle County Farmers Union camp held Aug. 3 and 4 in Huron.

This year’s camp theme was CSI: Cooperation, Service, and Involvement. The kids participated in activities and games that taught them about cooperative business, rural communities and agriculture in a fun and safe setting.

There were also activities based on the Farmers Union “Planet Stewardship” curriculum. This curriculum teaches kids the value of protecting our environment by being good stewards of the land. 

Participants toured the city rubble site so they could see first hand the importance of recycling and how waste is disposed. 

“The kids who attended this year’s camp were so amazing, and we had such a wonderful time,” Beadle County Education Director Jessica Hotchkiss said. “The future of our great state lies in their hands and we’re trying to instill in them the values of rural South Dakota. These kids are going to be our leaders of tomorrow, that’s why it’s so important they learn to cooperate, serve others and be good stewards of our planet now.” 

Along with activities, games and singing, each child also took part in a soil painting activity. One painting at each camp this summer will be selected to be entered in a contest sponsored by South Dakota’s Conservation Districts.

Participants at this year’s Beadle County Farmers Union camp were:

Huron: Donika Bjorke, Alissa Byrd, Maria Cabezas, Landon Claeys, Logan DeJean, Kinsey and Jenna Evans, Lindsey Friedrichsen, Jerijaneth Gonzalez Tello, Hyland Heinz, Brooklynn and Mason Hiles, Jessica Hotchkiss, Justin Hotchkiss, Jacob Hotchkiss, Jesse and Joey Hotchkiss, Carson and Camryn Hruby, Ivory Kallappa, Michaela Knudson, Julie Loewen, Frances Mognet, Taylor Peck, Elizabeth Schley, Tabitha Schmidt, Alyssa and Josee Schwartz, Abbey Tschetter, Shauna Gascoigne, Brooke and Taylor Vitters, Julieana and Tyler Wallenstein,  Trishtyn Anderson, Jacelyn Bankston, Cullen Beals, Rachel Boer, Steven DeGeest, Kara Heiser, Jemma Keleher, Blake and Wyatt Larsen, Sam Lorenz, Lilly May, Will Meyer, Nathan Moon, Kaylea and Kendra Paye, Brandon Renner, Libby Rounds, Colton Schnabel, Mike Simonds, Gabe Skonseng, Donavon Smith, Kayla Smith and Dominick Stenbak; 

Cavour: Lori Halter, Andrea and Aaron Eckmann; 

Woonsocket: Ashlynne Terkildsen;

De Smet: Jamison Hauck; 

Wolsey: Matthew Larsen and Megan Rawstern;

Iroquois: Hannah Appel, Hitchcock,  Allison King, Virgil,  Harlee and Hannah Hofhenke, Michael Hofhenke, Rikki and Lorika Hein and Wesley Geyer; 

Sturgis: Dominic Sondreal.

Beadle County Farmers Union camp was directed by Hotchkiss; Bonnie Geyer, State Education Director; Farmers Union Summer Interns: Courtney Beck, Anne Wudel, Erin Nemec and Natalie Wipf; and senior youth:  Shelby Bjorke, Dana Bennett, Aidan Beck, Brennan and Kelcie Paye all from Huron, Lance Rademacher, Lake Preston and Dayton Trujillo and Alyson Hauck, De Smet. 

For more information on SDFU and the organization’s youth activities, visit the education page at www.sdfu.org or call Geyer at 605-352-6761 ext. 125.

For the complete article see the 08-07-2009 issue.

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