February 14, 2019
It’s the most “LOVE-able” time of the year! We love our Next Level Camp families, and they love us back. We are proud to highlight some of the many reasons why families across the country have chosen – and continue to choose – to attend Next Level Livestock Camps. So we want to show off some of their favorite moments and “why they love” attending Next Level Livestock Camps!
As a busy family of four, the Carter family attended the Ontario, Oregon camp and recognized that showing livestock is a family affair. Their kids attended the youth portion of the camp. Here is what they have to say about their experience:
“Caitlyn and Amanda attended a Next Level Camp last May in Ontario, Oregon. Quickly they had fallen in love with showing pigs and were excited to learn as much as they could to become great showman. The Next Level Camp gave them a lot of tools to use going into show season. The counselors hired by Next Level were a great help in assisting each of them and being great examples of how to be good showman. The girls learned good troubleshooting skills when they have challenging pigs to train. They enjoyed being judged at the beginning and at the end to be able to show their improvement. Both girls now know how to read ear notches. The best thing about the camp was being able to bring their own pigs and work with them over the 2 day camp.”
Josh their father took part in the adult portion and he says he greatly valued the focus on ethics and sportsmanship. “They taught the kids good sportsmanship regardless of the end results and supporting your fellow showman. We also liked the discussion on selection and evaluation of a good pig, nutrition programs and clipping. We thought it was great that the kids got to work with the counselors without the parents watching the entire time. We all felt it was a very well run camp with a balance of classroom and hands on work. Thank You - Josh, Amy, Caitlyn and Amanda”
With kids of all ages, backgrounds, and experience levels attending camp, we know kids are never too young to start investing in their education and equipping them with the proper skills to succeed. Kolby Butcher, Indiana camp attendee, and Kotton West, Texas camp attendee said,
“I was having so much fun I didn’t even realize how much I was learning! The counselors were so friendly and always willing to help and answer questions. They helped me figure out where to be in the ring and how to drive my pig to give the judge the best views right away. I also learned what to do with my hand so I would quit resting it on my pig. It was really fun at the end because we got to show against each other. I would highly recommend going to a camp near you!” – Kolby Butcher
Kotton West had a blast making lifelong friends and memories while attending the Texas camp. He shares, “What I loved most about my Next Level Experience was the people. The team made me feel like I was one of them. Like I became part of the family. At the camp, they taught me extra moves in showmanship that have helped me win more showmanship competitions this year than I had before. I really can’t wait to go to the next one. They are so fun!”
Our counselors Tana Simmons of Indiana, and Jessica Page of Georgia feel like they’ve been struck by Cupids arrow with their experiences working on the Next Level Team!
Tana said, “I love Next Level because it has given me the opportunity to stay involved with showmanship. Once I completed my junior showing career, I had a really hard time with the fact that I'd never be able to step into a showmanship ring again. Next Level has given me the chance to continue to be actively involved by sharing my knowledge and passion with kiddos from all across the country. I also get to spend time with fellow counselors from across the country that share my passion as well which is a HUGE added bonus.”
Jessica Page shares, “What I love about Next Level is seeing the growth of the knowledge and confidence in each of the showman who attend the camps. I enjoy getting to work hands on with these young showmen and pass on some of the skills that I have learned and share my passion for the swine industry with them. It is an awesome experience to see the lightbulb turn on when a showman masters coming out of the gate, answers a flash card question right, or gets an ear notch correct by themselves for the first time. As much fun as it is to work with these kids at camp, it is equally as fun to see their successes in the ring. I always love to hear back from campers of how well they have improved in the show ring and how they used their new skills to impress the judge. The smiles on their faces as they come up to me at shows to tell me how they did makes being a counselor for Next Level a rewarding experience.”
Thank you to the many families who have entrusted us to play a part in making their special memories in the show ring even sweeter! From the entire team at Next Level Livestock Camps we would like to wish you a very Happy Valentine’s Day!!
Whether it’s because of working with their fellow stellar teammates, traveling across the country, meeting awesome families, or the sweet perks of Next Level swag, I think its safe to say our whole team of Counselors feel heart eyes about their experiences. Are you eager to feel just as smitten about your work? Consider this your lucky day, because we are looking to expand our team and are hiring for more counselors right now. Applications with all required documentation is due by March 1, 2019. Check out the details and application here:
https://nextlevellivestockcamps.wufoo.com/…/next-level-cou…/
Comments will be approved before showing up.
October 07, 2021