Farmers Union Spirit

In case you don't get the Union Farmer, this is the article I wrote which is featured in the most recent edition.

Every June, a diverse group of teens from across South Dakota converges upon a small camp nestled in the Black Hills. These teens begin their journey to camp on two buses, one each from the north and south. Up until each bus reaches the hills, their trip is a swift one, crossing the state, with the customary McDonalds lunch stop, and many long conversations between friends who take advantage of the time to catch up since seeing each other at the last state camp. But eventually, after several hours on the road, the buses arrive at the foot of a winding two-mile stretch of gravel leading to Camp Placerville. Thus begins a busy but educational week.

One of our biggest and most rewarding projects begins right at the beginning of camp with the formation of our 5 different cooperatives: The Co-op Store, The Daily Newspaper, the Insurance Co-op, the Credit Union and the Coffee Co-op. Another highlight of the week includes Tour Day, which took this year to a Radio/Television Station in Rapid City, Mini Golfing, The Presidential Wax Museum, and Mount Rushmore. And of course state camp wouldn’t be state camp without Theme Dances, Cooperation Games, Campfires, and singing our favorite camp songs!

I’ve been going to Farmers Union camps since I was around seven or eight years old, and I can definitely remember not being extremely confident in myself or comfortable around so many crazy, singing, chanting people. But one thing that stuck in my mind through all my years attending district and local camps was constantly hearing about how great Farmers Union State Camp was. Back then I can remember thinking of this camp as essentially the Holy Grail of camp experiences, and each year I grew more eager to get to be a part of it. Through my years at district camps, I made many friends, some of whom I would serve on the Junior Advisory Council with many years later, and with whom I made memories that will last forever. It has been these friends who I believe have been one of the biggest benefits of being involved with the Farmers Union Youth Program. They have shaped my beliefs, my sense of humor, and who I am as a person.

Farmers Union and its youth program have had such a tremendous impact on my life and I could never thank this great organization and it’s staff enough. I look forward to being involved with the Farmers Union for the rest of my life, and I know that because of the education program, many kids who come after me will do the same. If you have children or grandchildren who haven’t yet attended a district or state camp, strongly encourage them to do so! It has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.