Plenty of 4-H’ers from around the state will be “horsing around” at Iowa State this week.

4-H members work with ISU Extension throughout the year, but in the summer, the members get a chance to see the campus.

On Saturday, 32 youth, ranging from ages 10-13, spent their first evening at a horse camp sponsored by the Iowa 4-H Center near Madrid. The camp will last through June 19.

Liv Sandberg, co-director of the camp, said the idea is to let kids know what types of activities are available to them. “We want to give them some ideas about shoeing, training, showing, and general horse care.”

The kids attending camp will view demonstrations at ISU and get hands-on experience with horses at the Horse Barns. Local trainers, undergraduate students and faculty are helping to guide the campers during their stay.

“It’s been a lot of fun,” said Missy Otto, a sophomore in meteorology and a staff member at the Iowa 4-H Center. “So far, so good.”

Sandberg said the camp introduces Iowa State to the campers. “They usually tour the vet school and experience the campus.” Sara Garr, manager of the ISU Horse Barns said, “This is an excellent opportunity for the youth to get exposure to horses.”

Besides their training at ISU, the campers will also travel to Prairie Meadows Racetrack in Altoona, and Larson’s Scenic Valley Ranch in Boone.

“They will have riding lessons and go on trail rides,” said Pam Larson, director of the stables.

Larson also said that the kids will play games while on horseback. “In the izzy dizzy race, the child rides down to the other end of the arena where he or she must dismount and spin around three times. The child has to get back on the horse and race back,” Larson said. “Of course, after they have spun around it is really funny to watch them try to get back on.”

In order to ensure to campers get quality direction during their stay, the 4-H center staff members undergo two weeks of training before the camps begin. Otto said that 19 to 20 people are kept on staff to help with the camps.