4H Dogmushing

We've had a really great experience with the dog mushing 4H project! At first, Andrew intended to teach Sophie to mush, but we talked through the project objectives, and settled on just learning as much about dog mushing as possible right now (Andrew realized that Sophie is too big and slow to be a sled dog)!

It was really helpful to have his friend Ashley in our group, as she truly does intend to be a musher. She has had a fascination with dog mushing for about 3 years now, and while her parents kept waiting for it to be a passing phase, she only became more involved. It's to the point that she actually helps as a dog handler for the Seaveys.

For one of our project meetings, we helped the kids make a graphic organizer to learn about the different aspects of mushing, such as the equipment needed, what the dogs need to learn and do, and what mushers must have and know to be good mushers. The kids all shared what they had learned from various Iditarod videos and from library books, and of course Ashley had lots of first-hand info.

Then, we went to Anchorage to see the ceremonial start of the Iditarod, and spent lots of time following the race via the internet. We also went to see the annual "Mayor's Cup" race in Seward, which is used as a fundraiser. Businesses pay an entry fee, and then one of their employees gets to drive the sled in the race. It's a short race that the dogs don't really need a musher for :), around a a half-mile loop or so. It's held in early April, so that the dogs (various mushers lend their dogs for the event) have the Iditarod out of the way already. (Mark got to be in the race a few years ago, and he loved it! This year it was his assistant manager's turn to race, though).

The culmination of our project was a visit from Travis Beals! Travis is from Seward, and he came in second place for the Jr. Iditarod (run by 14-17 year-olds). A pretty impressive feat! He was gracious enough to come out to our house to teach the kids about mushing. He not only answered lots of questions and let the kids get the dogs dressed to race, he actually let them drive the sled! The kids took turns riding in the sled, and the older ones took turns driving. I was completely impressed with Travis with how he interacted with the kids, and how he let them do the driving but totally staying with the dogs and hopping back on the sled to keep it under control. We can't wait to follow Travis in next year's Iditarod, as he'll be 18 and ready to run the big race as a rookie!

Right now Andrew is working on his poster presentation of what he learned from the project. I'll post a picture of his poster when it's finished, and hopefully of video of his presentation at the 4H meeting next week!