Alpaca day camp to open in Rocheport this summer

Youth near Rocheport can look forward to a summertime day camp featuring crafts, gardening and alpacas — practically in their backyards.

The Boone County Commission granted a permit Tuesday night for an “agri-business and riding school” on 6.4 acres in Rocheport.

Owners Richard and Catherine Stickann plan to host camp sessions on land they call Sycamore Creek Farm, located in the Sycamore Creek subdivision on Highway EE West in Rocheport. Because the camp will include alpacas, it is classified as an “animal husbandry” practice, and the Stickanns are required to hold a permit under the riding school category.

The Stickanns describe their alpacas as calm and gentle.

“If you know what a llama looks like, they look very similar,” Richard Stickann said. “We have 10 of them.”

Catherine Stickann said the weeklong sessions will take place three times throughout the summer, in June, July and August. Children will learn to garden and spin fibers from the alpacas’ wool.

The approved permit requires the Stickanns to widen the entrance to their driveway from 18 to 30 feet, designate a parking area and control dust in high traffic areas, according to District II Commissioner Skip Elkin’s motion to approve the permit.