Members of the West Penn 4-H Club have been overnighting at the Schuylkill County Fair in Summit Station since Sunday.

Some are staying in campers. Some have pitched tents.

And some are sleeping on cots in barns next to the animals they care for.

“My daughter and I did last night,” said Heather Dunbar, one of the club’s leaders. “You need to keep an eye out for them.”

About 25 members of the West Penn 4-H Club are at the fair, which runs through Saturday. The majority are registered to show dairy beef.

The fair has both busy and slow times for the members.

In the days leading up to the judging, the youths spend time feeding, washing and grooming their cows, said Club President Riley Ziegenfuss.

Ziegenfuss woke at 6 a.m. Wednesday to get ready for the dairy beef show day.

Competition days can be quite hectic, explained Marissa Miller, the club secretary.

She worked to get her cow, Biggie, ready for the noon judging, while at Ziegenfuss tended to her cow, Mater.

The two were meticulous. They used tiny scissors to clip single strands of fur, and brushes to carefully shine the cows’ hoofs.

When they were ready, they led the animals to the judging area.

Marissa Miller said there are times to relax, as well.

Sometimes the group will pull out a deck of playing cards to pass time, or interact with other 4-H members.

“It’s a great community to be around,” Marissa Miller said. “There aren’t many problems.”

The youths often share tips and tricks with other 4-H Clubs.

“Even though it is a competition, it is friendly,” West Penn 4-H Club Leader Hannah Miller noted. She likened it to sibling rivalry.

“Everybody is like a family around here. We check on each other and we help each other out,” Dunbar added.

While there was some rain on Monday, most fair days have been warm.

“You have to stay hydrated. You try to stand in front of the fans (in the barns),” Zeigenfuss said. “You stay in the shade if you can.”

Plus ice cream and peach sundaes are always available from the Schuylkill County Dairy Promotion, Hannah Miller said.

Located in a tiny red barn on wheels, proceeds benefit the Dairy Princess tournament and help promote the county’s dairy industry.

Christine Scheitrum, who’s also with the West Penn 4-H Club, operates the stand and organizes the dairy princess competition.

The dairy princess contest returned to the fair this year after a nine-year absence. Kallie Wolfe of Pine Grove won the 2022 title.