Show Cattle Camp

My wife and I went to Conners State College in Warner, OK yesterday to pick up our daughter from Jerry McPeak's "Be A Champ" show cattle camp. They worked her hind end off for 3 days, and Saturday was the show day. She and her partner won 2nd place in their age group for grooming. She didn't place in the showmanship, nor did she win the effort award, but nonetheless, we are very proud of her. Earlier in the week, her steer had been acting up for some reason, and she and her instructor decided that she needed to get up at 5:00 in the morning and walk him for a while before the day got started off. It's amazing what other adults can suggest to your kids that's ok, but if you mention it, it's completely out of reason!!
This is a great camp, not only for the kids show skills, but for their attitude about life in general. If you ever have a chance to send your kids to a camp, this is it. I'd love to go, but my daughter tells me I'm way too old and out of touch to go!

that looks pretty neat, sounds and looks like your girls had a great time

I, myself, went to Be a Champ about 4 years ago..Had the time of my life. I went with 2 others from my area and we had a blast. we learned a great deal and met so many new people that we continue to keep in touch with today. This camp is well worth the money and time to send kids too. All ages and expertise can learn something.

Glad to hear your dter did well! Jerry and his gang are the best my dtr went to lamb camp 2xs going on the cattle side next year(couldn't fit it in this year. I am one of the first campers(long time ago) still see friends I made back then all that has a chance ahould go!

I know nothing about this Show Cattle Camp. It sounds like a good camp for people that like cows or people who are showing cattle. Do you have to bring your own heifer or steer or do they give you one? 

If you are too far to haul your own calves, they will provide a calf.

When  I went a few years back, I was unable to take a calf so Jerry and the crew provided me (and the people who traveled with me) calves. The calves were very broke and the staff makes you look after the animal as if the calf was your own - meaning while the others are feeding, watering, make calves bed, etc., the kids who do not take their own calves are doing so with the "borrowed" calf. Be a Champ provides the space and stuff for tieouts but you look after the animal. Here is the website to go to www.beachamp.com. On the website, most of the basic information is listed and if you call/email Jerry and the staff, they will provide you with all the information you need. Extremely helpful camp. Glad I went while I was a junior - still using the information I gained that summer.

Jerry and Veda are class acts. Many of the instructors are either FFA instructors, or club calf breeders, or both. The main thing is, they're not just there to get a paycheck. They are there to help mold people. They wil push the kids to the limit, mentally and physically. They'll give 'em a kick in the butt, and a big bear hug all at the same time. They teach them to respect themselves, each other, work hard, be honest, believe in themselves and each other, not to mention how to fit a calf. My daughter is 10 (she'll be 11 in August) and this was her 2nd summer to go. It would break her heart if she couldn't go back.

It's not all work, all the time. The 2nd evening she was there, the had a dance. The 3rd evening, they had a hypnotist. They also get some time in the afternoon to go swim, hang out, talk on the phone, whatever they want. It seems to me from what she's told me, the older kids help look after the younger ones, to make sure they are not doing the wrong thing with or without cattle.

I wish I could have gone when I was showing (my gosh....it's almost been 20 years now ) but, being the only son of a northern Oklahoma farmer, June is not a good month for asking to go to camp. My dad acted as if wheat harvest was important!!