As an agent, I am always looking for new opportunities that meets the interest of my 4-H members.  Dr. Guidugli sent a flyer out from Missouri 4-H about a program called 4-H Apprentice Camp Busch Gardens  which was going to held in Tampa, Florida, December 27 thru 31. I forwarded the flyer to my 4-H members.  I have a 4-H member who is autistic and has a love for animals. His mother immediately called me and  said that Zack was very much interested in this program. Another mother called and said that her daughter was also interested.  It was  quite expensive, but these two wanted to attend and told their parents that they could consider this experience their graduation present.  So their application was  sent in and they were accepted.

 The response from the two attendees was so amazing as they were so excited about what they had learned.  They followed the zoo keepers around to learn the needs of each  of these exotic animals.  Getting up at 4:00 A.M. was not something they really looked forward to but the idea that they got to feed giraffes, tigers, bears and many other animals was worth the early wake up.  

There was two 4-H members who attended from Carroll County.  They met and made friends with  other 4-H members from other states. Twenty youth was in attendance.

The outcomes from this trip was very beneficial to these two  young people.  Zack is more confident of his future occupation choice of becoming  a zoo keeper.  He said that if he had known there was such a program, he  would  have liked to  have gone every  year.  His quote  to me was "We had a fantastic time leaning about what it takes to work at a zoo and  the many different things a zoo keeper does everyday.  This was a one  of a kind experience I will never forget.  I would encourage anyone who has an interest in working  as a zo keeper to for a  zoo to give this camp a go.  The hands on  experience we had  was amazing".  Zack has  been accepted at the University of Louisville to pursue his dream of being a zoo keeper.  The University has internships at the Louisville Zoo where he will have hands on  experiences.  This camp  has  really inspired him to become a zoo keeper.

Addy, the other member who attended, said that " it was an experience that I will never forget.  Just learning about each habitat and the different personalities of all these animals was so interesting.  Although I will most likely never be a zoo keeper, I will always have more respect for zoo keepers as I  visit the zoo.  I am so glad that I attended this  camp".

                                                                    SCHEDULE

                                                                           ARRIVING

                                                                  FEEDING A GIRAFFE

                                                   GOING TO CLEAN THE HABITAT