“There are no people like #mypeople.” This statement, directly from one of our own, is perhaps one of the most meaningful and commemorated our All-Star’s heard at camp. Most of these kids had never been surrounded by their “people” outside of a livestock show setting. To see these young individuals grow and make deeper connections with their peers, without the company of livestock, was inspiring to say the least.  

Coming into the camp, the participants did not really know what to expect. Some thought it would be a showmanship camp, others thought maybe camp would teach them how to perfect their operations and some expected a leadership-focused event.  

“It was not at all what I expected, it was more about leadership than I initially thought it would be,” says first-year camper, Jayden Mlynek.   No matter what the initial expectations were, camp was, for the most part, not at all what participants expected — it was so much MORE.  

Throughout their time at camp, the All-Stars had the opportunity to tour businesses and facilities, participate in forward-thinking discussions, and even listen to a few industry leaders speak on their experiences and involvement.  

“We got to hear from some pretty big names that I didn’t necessarily think would have the time to speak with us,” Victoria Snyder says, “it shows how much they care about the industry.”  

With each experience, students were left with a new profound outlook on the industry and used their own perspective to continue to learn and grow.  

While the young individuals that attended camp are extremely passionate about the swine industry, most are still trying to figure out their niche. At camp, opportunities constantly arose for them to discover new careers within the industry.  

Speaking on the amount of career opportunities represented, Riley Wendt states, “I think this was extremely beneficial for us because we got to see just how many jobs there are in our industry. There was a job or opportunity that stood out to each of us and I think seeing all the possibilities helped a lot of us figure out where we want to go next.” She says, “I’m so grateful for each of the operations and individuals who took time out of their summer to speak to all of us on what they do on a daily basis, and thank you.”  

Whether it be the very beginning stages of the production side of our industry, or being an advocate for the industry as a whole, there was at least one career represented that sparked interest in each person.  

By the end of the week, strangers turned into friends, and those friends made a lifetime of memories connecting and learning more about each other while growing as individuals. Opportunities like All-Star camp don’t come too often. You must take the leap and capitalize on opportunities to develop your character while learning that growth is the best thing for yourself. Doing these things amongst “your people” is the most rewarding experience and one you won’t regret.