4-H’ers turn a bad time into a good one!
By Samantha Harthy

As many 4-H’ers across Michigan were packing up and heading out for the Branch County Livestock Camp June 22, the rabbit participants were feeling the impact of monkeypox on their 4-H projects.

In mid-June, the Michigan departments of Agriculture, Community Health and Natural Resources issued an order that prohibited the intrastate transportation, display, sale and other distribution or release into the environment of eight animal species, including rabbits, to prevent the transmission of monkeypox.

Monkeypox, a viral disease of animals and humans that occurs primarily in Africa, apparently entered the United States via an infected Gambian rat, which then passed the virus to prairie dogs in the pet trade.

Because of the ban on rabbit transport, the rabbit classes at Livestock Camp had to be cancelled. The Barry County Hare Raisers 4-H Club decided not to let this spoil their week.
Monkeypox Alternative Camp, initiated by club volunteer leaders Dana Harthy, Casey Barton and Jeff Harthy, with additional help from parents Julie and Russ Hinkle and Pam Converse, started June 23 in the Harthy backyard. Taylor Martenies, Steven Safie, Madelynn Hinkle, Nathan Hinkle, Sara Radant, Renee Dufresne, Rebecca Dufresne, Nic Converse and Samantha Harthy attended.

The three-day camp was full of fun and education, even with the rabbits stuck at home. Classes included topics such as rabbit and cavy showmanship, educational notebook and poster making, a disease identification game, photo rabbit breed identification, quiz bowl, jeopardy, rabbit marinade and taste contest, scavenger hunts and the occasional water fight. Participants also made their own T-shirts to take home.

All nine Hare Raisers participants agreed that even though it wasn’t Livestock Camp, Monkeypox Alternative Camp was definitely a great way to spend the three days.
The 4-H staff commends the hard work and ingenuity of the 4-H leaders and parents who not only turned a hard time into a good time, but in doing so helped the members learn one of life’s great lessons and make the best of a bad situation. This holds true to our 4-H motto, “To Make the Best Better,” and helps us develop youth into strong, productive citizens!

Samantha Harthy is a Barry County 4-H teen leader.