Applications are now being accepted for the 2005 Badger Dairy Camp, June 9 to June 11 at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

The Badger Dairy Camp, in cooperation with the UW-Extension, the Department of Dairy Science, and the Badger Dairy Club, is a program that supports life lessons such as self-confidence, teamwork, and sportsmanship for young people between the ages of 12 and 18. Hands-on learning projects – fitting, showmanship fundamentals, dairy judging workshops, and dairy science-related workshops that focus on nutrition and reproduction – teach campers the fundamentals needed to be successful in their dairy project work and lets youth explore some of the “science” in dairy science.

“Every year we try to make the workshops a little different,” says camp founder and director Ted Halbach, a UW-Madison/Extension dairy science specialist. In the past, campers have experienced a wide variety of activities: making ice cream at Babcock Dairy, dissecting reproductive organs of a dairy cow, and, literally, hands-on exploration of the rumen of a dairy cow.

Aside from solidifying dairy fundamentals and getting a jump on the upcoming judging and showing season through competitive contests, campers get great exposure to a university setting while exploring future career opportunities.

Corey Geiger, associate editor at Hoard”s Dairyman magazine and contest superintendent for the National 4-H Dairy Cattle Judging Contest, and emeritus dairy science professor Dave Dickson are the camp”s other lead instructors.

The all-inclusive $100 registration fee covers dorm, food and camper activities. Grants and private sponsorships fund about half of the actual program expense.

Apply early; Halbach expects the camp to reach the enrollment capacity of 110 campers for the sixth straight year. Applicants are admitted on a first-come, first-served basis. For an on-line application or more information about Badger Dairy Camp, go to the Wisconsin Dairy Youth website. Applications are also available through your county University of Wisconsin-Extension office.

You can also contact Halbach directly about the camp at (608) 263-3305 or tjhalbach@wisc.edu.