Kansas State University welcomed over 100 high school students to campus for their two annual livestock judging camps.
Students came from over 20 states to learn from the livestock judging team and coaching staff in Manhattan and improve their oral reasons skills on June 3-5 and June 10-12.
“I also encourage kids to get to as many livestock judging camps as they can if they really enjoy the sport… but I do think we set ourselves apart in our approach to things,” said K-State Head Livestock Judging Coach Payton Dahmer. “It is a very individualized approach, so our students are paired into much smaller groups of 5-6 participants per camp counselor.”
In addition to personalized coaching from members of the collegiate livestock judging team, students spent three days evaluating four species of livestock including goats, sheep, swine, and cattle.
“It’s a really rewarding opportunity for both the kids and the members of the livestock judging team serving as counselors,” Chevy Vaske, a senior at K-State and a member of the livestock judging team, said.
Dahmer said that these students walk away with more than just a head start in competitive livestock judging, they’re building skills for life.
For more information visit https://www.asi.k-state.edu/extension/youth-programs/events/judging-camps.html
