By Lori Roach

Lucky the Alpaca will be turning one and there is going to be a party to celebrate the little guys miraculous recovery after being attacked by a cougar when he was just one week old. Luckily for Lucky his momma, Amorette, is one tough girl and was determined to save her baby from the wild animal. The party will be held at Cedar Creek Alpacas on September 14, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Cook, Washington at 182 McNichols Road.

Cedar Creek Alpacas Boutique and Fiber Studio has been welcoming guests to the farm and boutique all summer long and recently hosted the Camp Beyond students.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed working with Camp Beyond staff and the campers,” said Angela Rogers, owner of Cedar Creek Alpacas. “It started out a few years ago as a little service project for the campers and now it has become a highlight of our summer here on the farm. Many of the campers have never seen alpacas let alone scooped alpaca poo. They ask lots of great questions and teaching them needle felting is fun too. I enjoy seeing the creativity in the different age groups.”

According to Jon McPeters of Camp Beyond most of the kids who attend are from China with a few being from Taiwan as well. The daily routine of Camp Beyond consists of classes on character and values in the morning, then they will all go on an adventure, have lunch, have another adventure experience then have another class before dinner.

“I want to impact their lives,” said McPeters. “This is what is on my heart. It is so cool to see the Chinese culture. I fell in love with it.”

For many of the students it is their first time experiencing something like Camp Beyond and the adventures there. “I like to jump off the cliff and there is really cold water there,” said Demi, who is from Beijing and likes to spend time with her friends and go to the mall when she is back at home.
“I like the caving part,” said Gogo, who is from Changchun. “It was dark and I really enjoy the feeling of being fearless and you never know what’s happening next but you keep moving on.” At home Gogo likes to play basketball with his friends.

For more information about Cedar Creek Alpacas visit www.cedarcreekalpacas.net and be sure to ‘Like’ them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cedarcreekfiberarts and find them on Instagram @cedarcreekalpacas.

More information about Camp Beyond can be found at www.campbeyond.org and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/campbeyond