Today's Youth
Carry Our Dreams into Tomorrow

By Cathy Spalding

Perhaps the strongest as well as often overlooked and/or dismissed asset for the continuation and growth of any community is held within our young people… those vigorous and creative individuals possessing that awe of wonder and enthusiasm. Who are they? Do we stop to notice their amazing capabilities? Do we look to specifically encourage and support them with respect and camaraderie in and amidst our activities? How aware are we that so many might truly care to stand beside us? Through the ages we have heard the phrase: “Our youth are our future.” That old phrase holds incredible truths and has important relevance for any future in any century and in any realm – including that of the alpaca and llama communities. And, according to the latest census, they are plentiful!

Today’s youth do indeed carry the weight of the future. As we were once the future, so will they become. By creating inviting and enjoyable opportunities for strong youth participation, we put in place essential building blocks for the continued vitality of the alpaca and llama communities. The llama community, specifically, has already experienced a wide reaching generational change in both animals and in the humans that care for them. . The arenas of dreams and opportunity we create and enjoy for ourselves today will necessarily pass – or not – to our youth.

The strength of youth participation definitely depends upon how well we are able to encourage, guide and include, support and mentor them. It ultimately depends upon available resources and opportunity as well. Opportunity must be more than assisting with ranch chores or bringing them along with friends, mom and/or dad to a show or sale. And resources must include but go far beyond financial support. For long-term success, opportunity must be designed to spark interest, inspiration, desire and a curiosity deep within them to want to participate. Opportunity must include varied venues for personal growth and skill development allowing for direct participation of youth in all age groups. Opportunity must expose them to leadership initiative, new concepts and motivating role models. Opportunity must provide a genuine feeling of acknowledgement and appreciation for the many talents and achievements of each individual youth and for youth as a group. Opportunity must allow the possibility to dream of their own future.

FFA and 4-H have long provided great opportunity for youth. Unfortunately, both organizations are seemingly somewhat distant per se from any direct involvement within the alpaca or llama communities at large. What creative avenues might we offer in solid establishment of direct connection to our national and international communities? How can we support and directly involve FFA and 4-H youth? If our youth are truly a significant part of our alpaca and llama future, it follows that offering solid opportunity through our local and national organizations is a very significant ingredient for the long-term success of our future.

The Llama Association of North America (LANA) continues to set the leading edge example of how an alpaca and/or llama organization can and does support and encourage youth involvement by pioneering some extraordinary opportunities for youth. LANA youth program opportunities go far beyond simply handling and working with an alpaca or llama. These opportunities are about building character and life skills using alpacas and llamas as the common denominator. LANA has continued to offer a number of far-reaching programs to involve and recognize youth of varying ages including:

*** A vigorous and challenging LANA EXPO Youth Educational Program that coincides with adult programs offered at the annual LANA EXPO. The youth program is designed specifically for youth of varying age based learning levels. Youth registered in this program receive a comprehensive notebook with youth speaker handouts and participate in rigorous two-day events. Veterinarians and other topic experts present a variety of youth tailored lectures and hands on participation sessions.

*** Free standing Youth Clinics are offered on a variety of topics from basic herd management and health care to many aspects of training and showing.

***LANA Youth “Follow Me” Award. Each year this award recognizes and celebrates a youth who has set an outstanding example for their peers in behavior, attitude, effort and service to others. This award winner is recognized with other Adult award recipients at the annual LANA EXPO Awards Banquet.

The 2006 “Follow Me” award was presented to Sarah Aly of Denair, California.

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