Kids learn to care at Farm Camp
by Alice IrwinJuly, 2003: Kids and animals - there's no better combination of friends in the world. All of us have a favorite childhood memory of happy times with our pets, and area youngsters have had the opportunity to make memories for a lifetime at the Cracker Box Palace Farm Animal Haven's "Farm Week" programs. Two years ago, Cheri Roloson and Burt Madison embarked on making their dream of providing a haven for neglected and abused farm animals a reality. Through their hard work and dedication and that of faithful volunteers, the farm has continued to grow in many ways. The number of farm animal residents has increased greatly, barns have risen, more pasture area is cleared, and trails for leisurely trail rides wind throughout the farm. The farm's week-long events bring children together with the animals; some are meeting farm animals for the first time, some are old friends with the residents of the farm. Mikey Manes, Nichole Blue, Makenna McKeon, Michael McCabe, Casey McCabe, and Holly Blue all agreed their week at the farm was a great time. "I love the rabbits," Mikey said. "We cleaned their pens and cages and learned how to feed them and take care of them," he continued. Each day is jammed-packed with all kinds of activities for the children. Making garden stones was a big hit. They poured concrete into round, flat molds and after it set up a little they put their personal decorative touches on them. Some of the kids pushed horseshoes into them; others pressed their handprints to be captured forever in stone. Colorful "jewels" and beads provided the perfect finishing touches for each unique creation. "I made one for my grandmother," Mikey proudly told me. The children learn how to feed all of the animals and how to groom the ponies, and everyone has the opportunity to go horseback riding and drive the pony carts.
I was escorted by Holly Blue and Michael McCabe on a guided tour to visit the farm animals. They introduced me to Ellie and Allison the sheep who were sleeping in the cool shade of their barn, and Angus, Seymour, Tanglefoot, Anna, and Agnes the goats came bouncing out to greet us as we walked up to their fence. A rooster crowed his greetings, and geese and ducks honked as we said "hello" to them. The children explained how they are all taught about being safe around the animals. "Some of them are really friendly but some of them have been abused and it's not good to get near them. They get scared and can have bad tempers." Holly explained. Our last stop took us to a picnic table overlooking a daisy-filled pasture where we munched on donuts while we watched two horses grazing peacefully. Holly and Michael related their heartbreaking story - "The farm took in Ruby and Ebony a few months ago. They were so badly abused that the vet thought they probably should be put down. They were in just awful condition, but everyone here wanted to give them a chance to live. Cheri loves the horses so much. They gave them lots of good food and medicine and helped them exercise. Now they're both doing really well. Eventually they'll be all better." There really are happy endings.
Partnering with area schools, education is at the heart of all of the activities at Cracker Box Palace. Nichole Blue, who will be a senior at Wayne Central this fall, has been working at the farm typically three days a week as part of the School to Career Program. "I love it," Nichole said. "I have my own horses but there's something special about working with the ones here. I also get to help out at events and do just about everything around the farm. It's a great place."
Donations and fundraisers are key to keeping the farm going and growing. "We're so grateful to everyone for their donations. We have a lot of hay donated, and for every $150 we raise we can buy 75 bales," Roloson said. The farm is looking for some special donations - they need trees to help shade the open pasture and picnic areas. Volunteer Diane McKeon explained, "We thought it would be a great idea to request people to donate a tree - any kind they'd like - and dedicate it to the memory of a loved pet. We'll plant the trees and put up a plaque with each one."
End