Building a stable future; Kids learn care, feeding of horses in program.Byline: Megan Montgomery SPENCER - Seated on a wooden toolbox See toolkit and toolbar. , Victoria Pelletier, 11, listens to a horse-care lecture and takes notes. Her four-footed friends in the next stall over aren't as attentive. They poke their noses out from the stable door, clicking their heels on the dirt floor. This year, under the guidance of camp directors and donations from local residents, Camp Marshall in Spencer is set to hold its first year-round programs. This means children between the ages of 5 and 16, like Victoria, will be able to enjoy Camp Marshall long after the summer ends. "It's a really new and exciting time for us," said Jeanne Cassavant, center director at Camp Marshall. The year-round programs started Sept. 24 and are still in the early stages. "There's always something happening these days," said Mrs. Cassavant. "We feel the response for this is going to be huge." Tucked away in the hills, Camp Marshall's 275 acres of land is framed by forests and borders Thompson Pond. The country setting makes it ideal for the programs offered, which include archery archery, sport of shooting with bow and arrow, an important military and hunting skill before the introduction of gunpowder. England's Charles II fostered archery as sport, establishing in 1673 the world's oldest continuous archery tournament, the Ancient Scorton , swimming, canoeing, kayaking Kayaking is the use of a kayak for moving across water. Kayaking is differentiated from canoeing by the fact that a kayak has a closed cockpit and a canoe has an open cockpit. They also use a two bladed paddle. Another major difference is in the way the paddler sits in the boat. , sports fishing, gardening and horseback riding horseback riding: see equestrianism. . The agricultural aspect of camp offers programs such as farm animal care and science, farm product making, and outdoor living skills. "It's a great idea for kids, especially the urban ones who don't have the opportunity to have an animal in their backyard," said Lynn Snelling Snelling can refer to: People
As a 4-H camp in the Worcester County Worcester County is the name of several counties in the United States of America:
The name "4-H" came into use after World War I as part of an agricultural and life skills youth movement. The four H's represent head, heart, hands and health. Mrs. Snelling has a long history at Camp Marshall. Her family has been involved since the camp opened its doors in 1952. With the start of the new year-round programs, Snelling will teach a recipe class, penny rug In the 1800s, starting around the time of the Civil War, thrifty homemakers would use scraps of wool or felted wool from old clothing, blankets and hats to create designs for mats or rugs. and pillow stitching, and other farm fundamentals to children. "We want the kids to have fun, of course, but we are also teaching them skills that build confidence and can be used in life," Mrs. Snelling said. One of the more popular programs offered at the camp has been horseback riding. After school, children like Victoria come to camp to learn, care for, and ride horses. "I've loved horses since I can remember," said Victoria, shoveling wooden shavings inside one of the stables. "I want to own my own horse someday, so learning about it here really helps." Camp Marshall is also home to a barnyard full of goats, chickens, rabbits, turkeys and an alpaca alpaca (ălpăk`ə), partially domesticated South American mammal, Lama pacos, of the camel family. Genetic studies show that it is a descendant of the vicuña. , who answers to the name Al. Their Adopt a Farm Animal program allows children to learn and care for a farm animal of their choice. New this year is the "Love a Llama llama (lä`mə), South American domesticated ruminant mammal, Lama glama, of the camel family. Genetic studies indicate that it is descended from the guanaco. " and "Moo 4 You" program, which allows children to adopt their own llama or cow. Camp Marshall also plans to hold birthday parties and instruct adult classes in farming. "We're taking things as they come, a day at a time," said Cassavant. ART: PHOTO CUTLINE: Amanda Lord, the year-round horse program director for Camp Marshall, instructs students Laureen Anderson, 7 of Brookfield; Victoria Pellitier, 11 of Charlton; and Hailie Brown, 7, of Spencer on how to groom Dolly, a halflinger pony who lives at camp. PHOTOG pho·tog n. Informal A person who takes photographs, especially as a profession; a photographer. : SUBMITTED PHOTO |
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