RICKREALL, Ore. — Tawnya Reitz traveled halfway across the state in February for her kids to attend Critter Campus, a long-running Oregon State University Extension Service event for 4-H’ers who want to learn more about small animals.
Their vehicle was a critter-free zone, however.
“We didn’t bring any animals,” said Reitz, who lives in John Day, 5½ hours away. “It seems stressful to bring an animal this far.”
Critter Campus is a small animal education day that has been hosted in Polk County for over 30 years. The hands-on education day highlights rabbits, cavies, poultry, pigeons/doves and cats. Participants are encouraged to bring their project animals, but it isn’t required.
Reitz’s oldest daughter is a 4-H “junior,” meaning she’s at the age where the youths start engaging more in project-based learning and can participate in competition-based events, including showing animals, public speaking and leadership activities.
“She wants to bring her hamster to the Grant County Fair this year,” Reitz said. “There aren’t any hamsters here, but cavies are close. She wants to explore the world of small animals.”
For Reitz, the trip brought back memories of her time in 4-H.
“I have fond memories of coming over to the Willamette Valley when I was a kid and meeting people,” she said.
As Reitz spoke, the main building at the Polk County Fairgrounds & Event Center was teeming with activity. Throughout the day a total of 42 classes were held for junior 4-H’ers, parents and volunteers across the event space.
On one side of the room, rows of 4-H’ers with rabbits lined with their animals siting on a table in front of them, like they would at an official small animal show. The scene was the same for the cavies, also known as guinea pigs, who were situated catty-corner to the rabbits. Every few seconds a rooster’s crow would reverberate across the room.
The classes were taught by registered judges, 4-H professionals, industry professionals, seasoned volunteers and expert 4-H’ers, 4-H alumni and local veterinarians.
“This event makes a huge impact, especially on those young kids or nervous kids who want the chance to learn in a safe environment and begin to develop those life skills that 4-H teaches them,” said Andrea Hunter, 4-H faculty and coordinator in Polk County who organizes Critter Campus.
This year’s Critter Campus drew 182 participants from 13 Oregon counties and Clark County in Washington.
Back by popular demand
The event, which started in the 1990s, went away for several years before returning in 2024, when more than 120 youths and their families from 13 counties attended.
“This event has been instrumental for the mid-Willamette Valley and all of Oregon’s development of small animal projects for a long time,” Hunter said. “I attended Critter Campus when I was a 4-H’er and it helped me get where I am today. It was an honor to have been able bring it back last year after the hiatus. We had people drive in from four or five hours away, so we knew there was a need, and we are excited to help keep bringing it back.”
In addition to Reitz, several families drove more than two hours to attend Critter Campus.
Aubrey Gibson and her two children came from Condon, about 3½ hours away. They brought rabbits and poultry.
“We came last year,” said Gibson, who is the 4-H poultry leader in Gilliam County. “I appreciate the variety of subjects available to us and the quality of speakers and presenters.”
Tina Twarowski drove 2½ hours from Roseburg. Her family brought rabbits and cavies.
“We came last year and everybody learned a lot,” Twarowski said. “It was an opportunity for our new juniors to get their hands on their animals in a show setting. We learned a lot about biosecurity and public speaking.”
Learning opportunity
Linda Eubank, a 4-H volunteer who taught a rabbit class, was one of the originators of Critter Campus. Eubank came up with the name.
"The idea was to give kids learning opportunities,” she said.
“A show would be where they would handle their animals, and their animals would be judged,” Eubank said. “This is more about getting the kids to teach each other. You look at some of these classes, they are being taught, or helped, by older 4-H’ers. So, there are leadership opportunities for those older 4-H’ers, as well.”
Elizabeth Neese, a 4-H member in Polk County, was one of the experienced 4-H’ers who conducted health checks for the rabbits as they entered the building. Neese also taught a class called “Preparing your rabbit for a show.”
“I’ve been raising rabbits for seven years,” Neese said. “I’ll teach them about how to get ready for the fair and how their rabbits should look and how you should look. I’m motivated to see all these younger 4-H’ers succeed and be curious and learn things. It’s an amazing experience. I’m so glad I’m able to grow up with 4-H in my life and I want to help those who also want 4-H in their lives.”
Marisa Darling, who attended with her daughter Lauren and mother Sabra, comes from a family who has raised rabbits in 4-H for multiple generations.
“For my daughter it helps with her confidence,” Darling said. “She’s learning how to do public speaking and how to care for her animals. It’s good for novice showmanship kids. It’s practice. It’s not your leader asking questions, it’s judges or other volunteers.”
‘I love cats’
The cats, which had to be on leashes or harnesses, had their own room. There were more than a dozen cats of all sizes and breeds. Danielle Halbrook’s 10-year-old daughter, Kahlan, stood behind Cloud, their 3-year-old gray Maine coon.
Kristen Moore, 4-H faculty and associate professor of practice in Washington County and 4-H’s companion animal specialist, told Kahlan and the other kids about what they should know about their cat when a show judge asks them.
“This is our second year doing 4-H with cats, and the third year to show cats at the Linn County Fair,” said Danielle Halbrook, who lives in Albany. “It’s nice because we don’t have to have a home where we have livestock. Not everybody can do that. We are able to bring in an animal that we know a lot about, and Kahlan gets to learn about taking care of him, and what health issues she needs to be aware of. Last year she signed up for 4-H for rabbits and when she found out she could do cat, she was very excited.”
Kahlan had a straightforward reason for showing a cat in 4-H.
“I love cats and want to learn more about them,” she said.
Hunter, who has already started planning for next year’s Critter Campus, looks forward to the growth of the 4-H’ers who will be back to do health checks and teach classes.
“Part of why 4-H is an amazing program is we like to highlight and utilize youth voice in a way that is active,” Hunter said. “That means when those 4-H’ers get a little more comfortable they are able to teach. These kids want to give back and care so much about events like this. It gives them an opportunity to continue to hone their skills that will provide them that scaffolding for life beyond K-12.”
