Kids hang out with kids
Hi, I’m Rachel. I’m one of the children lucky enough to go to the Learning Center’s 2008 spring Day Camp. One of my friends was attending the camp back in March, and I went with my mom to take her there. When I saw how much fun it would be, I asked my mom if I could go. She said yes! Enough about me: This is my goat story.
We all chose partners and were assigned goats. My friend and I were assigned goats named Roja and Hope, which were white. Hope’s ears were small, and Roja’s very big. Hope had a broken leg, and it was her first time birthing. Roja had given birth over 6 times. We were lucky and got to see a kid being born.
Sadly, when the vet took Hope’s cast off there was an abscess on her leg. The workers decided the best thing for Hope was to put her down. But this story is not all sad because Hope had her kids (goats usually have twins) before she died. One of the kids looks like her mom, and the other looks like sand! When I got the call that Hope was dead, I cried. My mom saw how sad I was, so she asked if my sister and I could feed the orphan kids. The staff said yes, so now I feed them once a day.
Sometimes I mix the formula and prepare the bottle. I like holding the kids and giving them their milk. Most of all, I like to make sure they are healthy and safe!
Rachel Hackler (age 10)
South Beloit, IL
Find out about upcoming day camps and other youth programs at the farm.