From Hungary to Mákemáke: Meet Our Mangalica Pigs

Dorothy May, Queen of the Stye and Lady Tamara, her lady-in-waiting!

At Camp Mákemáke, adventures aren’t just for our campers—they extend to every corner of the farm. While some kids are climbing trees, paddling in the river, or racing down the zipline, others are drawn to a slightly slower—but no less exciting—kind of fun: visiting our Mangalica pigs. Friendly, curious, and always ready for a snack, Lil’Johnny, Dorothy May, and Lady Tamara have a way of stealing the spotlight (and the hearts) of everyone at camp.

Lil’Johnny, Dorothy May, and Lady Tamara

Our pig family is hard to miss! The dad, Lil’Johnny, is a huge, round, black-coated fellow with a charming personality—his name is ironic, but we love it. Dorothy May is our beautiful blonde, and Lady Tamara is the reddish-brown female of the trio. Together, they make up our playful and ever-hungry pig family, and every year they bring a new generation of curious piglets to the farm.

A Bit of History

Our pigs are closely related to the famous Mangalica breed from Hungary. Known as “woolly pigs,” Mangalicas were originally bred in the 19th century for their tender, marbled meat and thick coats. By the mid-20th century, they almost disappeared due to industrial pig farming, which favoured leaner breeds. Fortunately, a few dedicated breeders preserved the lineage, and today Mangalicas are treasured worldwide for their unique appearance, hardiness, and friendly nature. While our pigs may not be pure Mangalica, they carry the same charm and curly-haired traits that make the breed so special.

A Camper Favorite

Campers love visiting the pigs, especially at feeding time. Every scrap from our camp kitchen—vegetable peels, leftover fruits, and other goodies—finds its way to Lil’Johnny, Dorothy May, Lady Tamara, and their ever-hungry piglets. There’s nothing quite like the joy of tossing a carrot or apple slices to a snout, or feeling the soft rumble of a happy belly as a pig nudges you for a scratch.

Houdini Pigs and Blueberry Chaos

Life on the farm isn’t always calm. Our pigs are true Houdinis—Lil’Johnny and the ladies have a knack for escaping their pens and exploring wherever they like. Farmer Alberto has had more than a few panicked moments finding them in the blueberry orchards, happily gobbling berries faster than anyone could imagine. Nobody enjoys blueberries quite like a Mangalica pig! Their mischievous streak keeps everyone on their toes, and the piglets are just as adventurous as their parents.

Life on the Farm

Thanks to the generosity of our campers’ leftovers, our pigs are always happy, healthy, and round in all the right ways. Each year, they give us plenty of piglets, adding a new layer of excitement and fun to life at Camp Mákemáke. The pigs even compete with Gregorio the donkey for the star spot, and sometimes it’s hard to tell who the campers love more! Watching the little ones tumble around in the grass, discovering the world just like our campers, is a memory everyone treasures.

At Camp Mákemáke, our pigs aren’t just farm animals—they’re part of the magic, the laughter, and the unforgettable summer experience that makes our camp special. Come visit, feed a piglet, and see for yourself why Lil’Johnny, Dorothy May, Lady Tamara, and their family are the stars of our farm!

A happy camper and a wriggly piglet!