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EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH
Organized school groups are invited to to attend the Classic Wednesday through Friday free of charge. For most groups it is much more than a fun field day; it is a year-long learning experience. We furnish them the Meeker Classic Educational DVD so that everyone knows a little about the history of border collies, trialing, our cultural heritage in NW Colorado, and the requirements of the trial course before they come.
Many read about sheep, dogs, animal behavior, learn to keep score, work science experiments and math problems, learn about the countries who have participated at Meeker from the flags on site. At the second grade level, many classes use the CSAP-compliant curriculum developed by Microsoft award winning Cheryl Arnett of Craig, who first brought students to Meeker in 1992 as a student teacher. Older students may also learn about agriculture, the sheep industry and international trade.
While at the trial field, classes meet with handlers and their dogs, learn about service and therapy dogs from Shannon Koucherik and how to treat a dog from Western Border Collie Rescue, watch spinning, pottery, saddle making and other demonstrations, explore the art barn and the sheep camp and whatever else might be on site that year, such as the Border Collie Rescue group, agility dogs or kilt workshop.
Many classes also spend an hour or so at the White River Museum, the last remaining curio museum in Colorado. There is always a new and undiscovered facet of our cultural heritage to fascinate kids from 4 to 104.
We look forward to receiving thank you notes from the students, a sampling of which we display at the art barn.
For more information or to schedule an organized school group, contact us at: trials@meekersheepdog.com or call 970-878-0111.
We Thank XTO Energy for their long time sponsorship of the Organized School Program at the Meeker Classic – photo courtesy of Landon Smith
PROUD SPONSOR OF THE MEEKER CLASSIC EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH PROGRAM
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