Searcy Camp Needs More Hay After Supplier Backs Out
By: Josh Berry
Updated: September 21, 2012
Horse pastures at Camp Wyldewood are full and green now from recent rains, but a summer full of drought has left staff worried for the months ahead.
The horses there are itching and kicking to hear the call for feed time.
Friday (9/21), feed pales at Camp Wyldewood in Searcy are full, and the horses are getting plenty.
"This is the best they've eaten since the spring," said Camp Director, Robert Powell.
The camp said however, it just can't keep it up financially.
"It would just monumentally add up," Powell added.
This time of year they usually expect a full order of 70 to 80 bales of hay to pull in to camp.
The company contracted to bring hay however, told the camp. it had to back out. Powell claims they just could grow grass because of the drought.
"We've never had the hay problem that we've had this year, normally it's not a problem at all."
The White County Extension Office said most hay suppliers are hitting the same wall. They all have orders backing out of the stalls.
Folks all around had hoped to have more than just a few bales of hay left in storage.
"They do that to make sure they'll have enough to get through winter," explained White County Extension Agent, Brian Haller. "The problem was they fed it all during the summer when they [horses] are usually grazing."
Looking ahead, the Extension Office said, "It really depends on what happens here on out as far as our temperatures and our winter weather."
Now it's an area of uncertainty for Camp Wyldewood.
Powell said, "We're not really sure what we're going to do."
The camp doesn't want to give up on its horse program, a staple of any camper's summer.
"That's why they come to camp," Powell said. "It's not really an option to do something else."
Now, for the first time in the camp's 60 plus years,the director is having doubts about the future.
"It'd be a shame to have it stop for something like this."
The camp has reached out to folks through Facebook, hoping someone will see their plea for hay and maybe be able to help out. You can find more information here.
The horses there are itching and kicking to hear the call for feed time.
Friday (9/21), feed pales at Camp Wyldewood in Searcy are full, and the horses are getting plenty.
"This is the best they've eaten since the spring," said Camp Director, Robert Powell.
The camp said however, it just can't keep it up financially.
"It would just monumentally add up," Powell added.
This time of year they usually expect a full order of 70 to 80 bales of hay to pull in to camp.
The company contracted to bring hay however, told the camp. it had to back out. Powell claims they just could grow grass because of the drought.
"We've never had the hay problem that we've had this year, normally it's not a problem at all."
The White County Extension Office said most hay suppliers are hitting the same wall. They all have orders backing out of the stalls.
Folks all around had hoped to have more than just a few bales of hay left in storage.
"They do that to make sure they'll have enough to get through winter," explained White County Extension Agent, Brian Haller. "The problem was they fed it all during the summer when they [horses] are usually grazing."
Looking ahead, the Extension Office said, "It really depends on what happens here on out as far as our temperatures and our winter weather."
Now it's an area of uncertainty for Camp Wyldewood.
Powell said, "We're not really sure what we're going to do."
The camp doesn't want to give up on its horse program, a staple of any camper's summer.
"That's why they come to camp," Powell said. "It's not really an option to do something else."
Now, for the first time in the camp's 60 plus years,the director is having doubts about the future.
"It'd be a shame to have it stop for something like this."
The camp has reached out to folks through Facebook, hoping someone will see their plea for hay and maybe be able to help out. You can find more information here.
