Today, like yesterday and the days before were great fun. horse riding and scooping horse stool out of the barnyard, also known as the horse arena. Mikayla started to put yellow flowers in my hair again; they aren't completely done yet, but will be finished later on today, hopefully. Something quite exciting is Allie, the older daughter at the camp, helped me create my own blog.
   
      Something that I've noticed, being here for a while, is that chickens look like they are wearing pants. Not any type of pants, the colonial pants that go to the knee and then the sock go down from there. With all their feathers its easy to imagine clothing that is similar. If you keep this in mind the next time you see one then your day may be slightly more entertaining. Also keep "emotions" in mind, try to get in the chickens mind and figure what their thinking.  Also listen to their crows, some sound like proud strong youngsters, others crow strong at first then slowly decreases, then sounds like "Ah... I give UP!"

     I haven't milked my goat yet, but I must say I've gotten much better at it, doesn't take as long anymore. And sadly today is the last day I can! I wish I could stay here for a while longer, because there is just so much fun stuff to do here. I think i'm going to wrap soap now, yay!

Today was fun like the many other days were.Feed baby goat, Rode horses and also lead around a few -- felt like I would be stepped on, but that didn't happen, thankfully.-- Galloped and trotted on Patches, the horse. Picked up some stool droppings from horses, llamas and goats  while I avoided stepping in any. --VERY hard to do. I must say. It is everywhere!-- Then scooped some hay and used a wheelbarrow for the first time, from one side of the yard to the other, that was fun. 

     Something that really made my day was, Mikayla flowering my hair after I braided it. It looks quite nice.

During lunch, for the chickens I believe it was the Olympics for them at this time. They chased one another like chicken torpedoes --You know from Quiznos?--  

Just finished milking my goat, Skittles. My hands are super sore and achy. Never have sore hands like this before, a very new experience. Goats are interesting; I bet you didn't know that when goats eat they summon massive thunder storms in their stomach's while you are milking them.  At first it is very startling, but then after you milk them for a few days you get used to it.  There was another rooster that caught my eye today, or maybe yesterday; either way I'm going to tell you about it.

     Mr. Ski the rooster waddled along with a close friend, Fati hen, down the muddy road. Slowly Mr. Ski stretched his wings slowly as he puffed out his chest in slow motion right before he released his great caca-doodle-doo. He took a few moments in awe then randomly cooed fast next to his friend, Fati hen. I suppose what he was saying was "....Oh my word, did you hear that!? I am absolutely AMAZING! did you hear that perfect tone and the range of projection was awesome, obviously because it was ME after all."

    Oh they are making salve, er moisturizer for your hands...
Enjoy your day.  

Today was very unpredictable; looked like it was going to rain and it did a little, but not much. We didn't follow the normal list of things to do because the skies were eerie.  First I feed my baby goat named Penne, then we soaked angora fur I believe it was in scalding, lava, boiling, agonizingly hot water -- I wanted to make sure you understand the intensity of the water.-- Though the hotness of it was to a stinging point it was still nice feeling to me. Also today we saw a square box bee hive with a clear panel to see inside. OH, and I tried to put milk in a baby bottle, my goodness; I underestimated how hard that would be.  There was a stray bee that scared almost every girl in the room, it was pretty funny I must say. Nine pigs where born today -- adorable, I want one!--  I rode patches the horse again and had lunch which I have another story or discovery, which ever you want to call them.

        There was one rooster next to a tree to my left from the picnic table I sat at; every once and a while he would crow really loud, then would look around after. The way he looked around gave this expression. "COCKADOOLDU!" Mr. Coocle the rooster scans the area in utter shock and astonishment. "What... What was that great cado? That magnificent crowing. Perfect projection!" Mr. Coocle waits on his normal cycle and sounds again. "There is it again! where, where is it?"

   

Today was much like yesterday; feeding the baby goats, saying hello to the one of many dogs on the farm that is named Red. He is a reddened retriever and is previously barking at something outside, a fox perhaps. We rode horses again, but this time by my self, trotted a bit -- and yes, my legs and butt is timidly sore. -- Just a few minutes ago we had lunch, I sat in a lawn chair facing a cage with a white rabbit, that is rather fond of me -- or so I think. -- and looked around the open area of farm animals. As I sat outside, a few chickens, or pardon me; a rooster and a hen to be precise walked close to the baby goat pin in front of me. The hen flew slightly and jumped inside the pin while the rooster stayed out of it and walked around. Being that I was eating I turned this situation into a short story or skit to entertain my mind.
   
        The hen was now looking around the loose bendable pin to get out. When she jumped to the top she fell back slightly; losing balance and exclaimed. "COO, coo. That was close!"
     "Yes, it was Mrs. Hen, its all that weight." said the rooster to the left of the goat pin.
     Mrs. Hen waddles to Mr. Rooster. "What was that?"
     "YOUR feathers, your feathers I said." he waddles away to his grey buddy that walked from the pin toward the house. Then slowly, quietly whispered to his friend. "It isn't the feathers..."  They chuckled together.

        Another fun activity I can remember from the long list of things done today was, we made ice cream. It was the best ice cream ever!.

 And the Adventure continues....

Dairy Goat Parts

(Posted by SonRidge Farm)

Make sure to visit the site below, so you can learn the parts of a Dairy goat -
as they will be included in the "Dairy Goat Show" this Friday!
http://www.goats4h.com/Java/GoatPartsTest.html

Enjoy!

SonRidge Farm

This camp is a great find. I haven't had this much fun in a day, in a long while. Starting off, we figured who's goat was who's, mine is named Skittles. Then rode two lovely horses, one brown and one grey horse. I learned how to milk a goat and make milk soap. Now i'm blogging and there is a discovery of guineas hens babies... A LOT of them. This place is full of goats, chickens and horses which if you move slightly passed them they stare with content as if you have a big jelly doughnut attached to you. Chickens are chickens and waltz away in a poultry manner.

Rose

My Assignments

My Milking doe is: Skittles
My baby goat (kid) is: Penne
My team mates are: Allie & Joshua
I'm on team: Three

Farm Website: http://SonRidgeFarm.com/

Farm Camp Info

**Written by SonRidge Farm**

SonRidge Farm Day Camp 2012
Prior to camp check your BLOG for any updates.

This is a working farm. No flip-flops, sandals, or open-toes shoes of any kind are permitted at camp. Shoes with heels are not appropriate. Cloth or mesh shoes are discouraged as there will be work around water troughs and possibly mud.

You will need to bring a pair of work gloves each day. There are black widows in this area.  If you find one, we KILL it; we do NOT just sling it away.  Alert a farm worker if you find one.

Apply sunscreen before arriving at the farm. You may bring sunscreen (labeled with your name) to reapply late morning. Each day will consist of much work outdoors in the sun. A hat/cap (labeled with your name) is advisable.

You must bring an emergency bag with a change of clothes including undergarments, socks, and shoes. Include a plastic grocery bag for wet or soiled clothes. There are many instances where a mishap, completely out of your control, could constitute a desire to change into fresh clothes.  Please have this bag labeled with your name.

Remember to bring your bag lunch (labeled with your name) each day with at least 2 drinks(also labeled with your name). The drinks can be kept in an ice chest. Be careful that you only take YOUR drink or food labeled with YOUR name. While water is sufficient, we advise at least one drink be a juice or electrolyte type drink. Snack bars (labeled with your name) are a good idea.  A dispenser with ice water will be available outside at any time.  There will be a snack shack open periodically each day where campers can purchase items, with limits on types and quantity of snacks set by each county 4-H agent.  Most items are $1 or less, except for ice cream.

*Monster/Red Bull/ and similar “energy” drinks are prohibited.  Be aware, and make your camper aware, that caffeinated drinks can lead to dehydration.  Sodas with caffeine should be consumed only on a limited basis.

There will be opportunity to taste cheese, butter, and ice cream. If there are any food allergies/intolerances (esp. to dairy or eggs) please advise the farm workers & counselors.
The schedule of activities each day is subject to change according to the weather. Be aware of the weather forecast and come dressed prepared to work in light rain.

You will be updating your blog daily at camp. You will choose photos to add each day. While you are allowed to bring a camera (labeled with your name) be advised that a farm worker will be taking many photos throughout each day, of each participant.  Families are welcomed and encouraged to bring cameras on Family Day.     PARENTS: please take the time to view AND COMMENT ON your child's blog EACH DAY.  They especially enjoy finding comments during the day when they stop by a computer to check their blog.  How sad it is for a child to check his/her blog and find that no one has left a comment.  Don't let this happen.  Send your child's blog address to family and friends and ask them to comment daily during camp.

Due to the shear volume of photos and the high quality we are shooting images at, we will be uploading ALL photos of ALL campers each night to www.photobucket.com   From this site you can download any and all photos (and videos) of your choice.  These photos are taken at a higher resolution so you would have the ability to print larger size photos.  Once on the site type in "sonridgefarm" in the search block and click the pull down arrow beside "search".  Click on "users" and this will take you to the sonridgefarm photos.  Click on the "5k + upload" button, and then click on the camp album pertinent to when your child is attending.  *The link to the specific camp week will also be posted on your child’s blog after camp is over*

   

Cell phones are allowed for emergency situations, however, the use of cell phones during camp is prohibited, even as a camera.  Should a child need to call a parent from their cell phone a counselor will escort the camper to make the call and then the phone must again be “put away”.   At previous camps we have had a problem with some campers using their cell phones to text during camp.  Texting, tweeting, and calling during camp is prohitbited.

You are assigned to one specific dairy goat, and one specific kid (baby goat), for the entire week.  You are part of a team; Remember what team you’re on and who your partners are. For many activities and chores you will be assigned according to your team number.

While the beekeeping lesson does NOT involve actual contact with the bees, please be informed that there are many stinging/biting insects about this time of year.

SonRidge Farm

www.SonRidgeFarm.com 
246 Wright Rd, Kings Mountain, NC 28086
(704)734-0809 mail AT SonRidgeFarm DOT com 

SonRidge Snack Shack

**Note from SonRidge**For your convenience the SonRidge Snack Shack will be open 3 separate times each day of farm camp, and also be open on each Family Day. On Family Days the Farm Store will also be located near the purple Snack Shack.
At farm camp items will range from $0.25 - $1.50 (with the exception of the color changing cups (with the farm logo) at $2.50)
Selection includes:
Cold drinks, juice pouches & a variety of sodas. 
Crackers, snack bars, chilled candy bars, Popsicles, ice cream, and more!

Please make sure to bring a couple dollars with you to camp, if you're interested in purchasing some snacks.

SonRidge Farm

*(Written by SonRidge Farm)*

I will be attending a 4-H Farm Camp in June.
While there I will learn things from tacking up and riding a horse...















to learning about processing & cleaning Angora Goat Fiber.








I will also be assigned a dairy goat; which I will be responsible for milking, feeding, everyday care & even learn how to show her.






I'll be on a team, and participate in daily farm chores & activities with my teammates












And don't forget... I'm also assigned my very own "kid" (baby goat) for the week!

and I'll even make cheese, butter, and ice cream.
I'll learn about bees and get to make my own beeswax lip balm & salve.
And of course... much, MUCH more!
I'm going to have so much fun and I can't wait for the week to start. I will even be keeping my own blog updated for the week. Please follow my blog so you can see all the things I'm doing and learning.
We can even come to family day on the farm...for free! I know that I'll want to introduce all my family to each of the animals on the farm.
Family Day On The Farm: Saturday June 23rd & July 28th  8-10am 2012
SonRidge Farm: www.SonRidgeFarm.com