Region VI FFA Camp

Region VI FFA camp:
May 2nd 2008. Well, time to hit the road once more, but not getting things done at home first. Making it an early morning, getting up at 4:45 to load pigs by 5:15, and complete my morning chores, proved to be the start of a grueling day. Finally hitting the road around 9:00 to meet Sydney in Mankato, I was finding myself multi tasking again; eating my breakfast, making sure I had everything, talking on the phone, thinking of state theme ideas, and the most important thing, enjoying my 3rd cup of coffee for the day (I have to have it.) Arriving in Mankato around 11:00, I parked my car at the Minnesota Pork Producers office, and went inside and gave my friends a hello. I worked with the MNPB a year ago as I was the 2007 MN Pork Ambassador. Lucky for Sydney and myself, they had a projector we could use for our workshops, thank you!!!! Once we had the entire back of Sydney’s truck loaded with luggage, bathroom bags, workshop supplies we hit the road for Willmar. Traveling a part of the state I don’t get to see much, I was excited to look at the crops and the country side, and who else better to share it with than your State Reporter, Ms. Sydney Place, (boy can she talk your ear off.) rolling into Willmar at 2:00 we stopped at Wal-Mart to pick up a few supplies and get on our way. After turning around a few times and making a few phone calls we finally found the Sibley State Park. Kids were running around and music was playing when we pulled in; I knew this was going to be a fun time! We got a friendly welcome and the plans for the evening from Mr. Launoe (Tracy style), Mr. Launoe (Marshal style), Mr. Sawatzke and Ms. Hoffman. After finding our cabins, we soon jumped into meeting campers! Once rec. time was over we enjoyed a tasty meal made by Miss Hoffman, then it was time for our first session. Working with Brad Launoe, out National Officer Candidate CONGRATS BRAD, Sydney and I presented “What is FFA”? With more rec. time to follow, and a bonefire, Sydney and I gave a reflection around the fire to the campers, I spoke about “building you foundation” and where else that the FFA would be better than that. After the bonefire, kids were able to hang out then lights out by 11:00. Now time for planning! Sydney and I made our flip charts and organized out materials for our workshops for the next day. Being up for about 18 hours now, it was time to hit the hay!
May 3rd 2008. Wow! I didn’t wake up once through the night, I must have been that tired, or that old bunk bed must have been comfy! Waking up to my internal alarm clock, even though I could have slept in, I was up lying in bed at 6:30 listening to the birds chirping, and the rest of the wilderness around me at the state park. Getting my wonderful bacon, eggs, and pancakes from Miss H. filled me right up! Playing the weather by ear, the campers had their rec. time and were soon on their nature hike to “hill top”. While the campers were gone, Sydney and I went through our workshops one more time. Happy Gram time!!! Waiting for the campers to make their way back to camp, we took the time to write some happy grams to the campers. By now it was lunch time, and the campers had a chance to change and have a short rec. time. Diving into our first session, Sydney and I presented “Living to Serve.” Making the session as fun as possible, we taught the campers about what service is and how they can create a service project in their chapters, and community. The next session we presented again tied into service along with goal setting. Informing the campers on S.M.A.R.T. goals, and allowing them to take the time to make their own, it was interesting to connect with the young members of region VI and to also see the wheels turning, as they jotted them down on a card to place in their FFA jackets. During this time the South Dakota FFA Officer team arrived. Getting to meet them was very fun; I can’t wait to see them again at NLCSO. Without even realizing what time it was, it was time to start thinking about packing our bags, and hitting the road. Completing my final happy grams and good-byes, we loaded up the truck and hit the road. Sydney and I, both wishing we could stay for the entire camp, and the dance, had to be in the cities for our first SOPD meeting (State Officer Planning Day.) having one of the most fun, interesting, and laid back car rides, we arrived to the cities around 7:00. Meeting Sydney’s sister, we went to the mall to buy Sydney new official dress shoes. From there we went to dinner at a Chinese restaurant. Making our way to the UofM campus we went to DTS fraternity. My best friend Sam Holst is a member, along with some other good friends of mine. Catching up on our summers, and old times, it was finally bed time.
I am very thankful Sydney asked me to be her presenting partner for this camp! I feel it prepared me for our upcoming state camps. Great thanks to Brad Launoe and all the advisors who invited us to be a part of this fun camp! I really enjoyed myself, who would have thought Region VI could be so fun?