Cattle Show Camp teaches students self confidence

WARNER, Okla. (AP) _ What began as a man helping his neighbor handle cattle has grown into the largest cattle show camp in the Midwest. <br/><br/>Be a Champ Cattle and Lamb Show Camp welcomes nearly 700

Saturday, July 23rd 2005, 11:40 am

By: News On 6

WARNER, Okla. (AP) _ What began as a man helping his neighbor handle cattle has grown into the largest cattle show camp in the Midwest.

Be a Champ Cattle and Lamb Show Camp welcomes nearly 700 kids, 700 parents and 700 cattle and sheep to Warner each summer. And while students are learning how to handle cattle, the undercurrent surging through the camp is improving self-confidence.

``Anybody can teach them to clip a cow,'' said founder and state Rep. Jerry McPeak, D-Warner. ``We want them to go home thinking 'Maybe I can do better at math or geography.'''

Be a Champ camp began 24 years ago with one session and 60 students. Today five sessions are held and approximately 700 kids participate each summer at Connors State College. The students, ranging from 9 to 19 years old, are separated into groups based on age and experience.

``After last year, we saw a tremendous increase in confidence,'' said John Hegg of his son Alex, 12. ``It's a direct result of being here.''

Camp instructor Greg Crowley was a camper at the inaugural camp. He now works with the least experienced kids.

``My goal is to not only teach these kids proper techniques but to teach them lessons of life _ they go hand in hand,'' Crowley said.

The students are solely responsible for their cattle during their four-day stay and must have themselves and their cattle up and fed by 8 a.m.

Throughout the day they attend lectures, demonstrations and get hands-on experience showing and caring for their cattle. Accompanying their education is entertainment, with pool visits and learning to make homemade ice cream in a plastic bag. Their day ends between 10 and 11 p.m.

McPeak said attitude is most important, that nothing can stop you from being the showman.

``We expect them to be the best there is,'' McPeak said.

Hegg, president of First Illinois Credit Union, took a week's vacation to drive his son 11 hours to participate for the second time. Because of the distance, they were unable to bring one of their 12 cows, so instead are renting one.

``He is so much into livestock, we wanted to bring him somewhere where it's respected,'' Hegg said, comparing Indiana basketball to Oklahoma cattle.

Jed Bryant, 19, from Northwest Arkansas Community College has been showing heifers for three years. ``You really learn how to work the cow, groom and care and everything else,'' he said.

Alex Hegg said the camp teaches you more control of your animals, but he still worries when he steps inside the ring.

``I hope I don't mess up,'' he said. ``I hope my calf doesn't get away.''