To find activities in your region, check your local humane society or search Google for “Summer camp kids pets” and you’ll be surprised what you find. Here is some information on the two popular summer camps for kids and pets (yes, they can even bring their own pets along in one case).
The AZ Humane Society and Villa La PAWs Training Academy are offering summer courses that will focus on keeping your kids and your pets active while instilling some great values and tips on working with animals.
AZ Humane Society Campus for Compassion Summer Camp Schedule
Register Today for Camp Compassion: A Shelter Journey – Ages 8-12
Get your kids to put down their video game controller and TV remote during summer vacation! Nothing is more fun than a day learning about animals, and your children will love our summer, service-learning based Camp Compassion. They incorporate the Character Counts! curriculum in their programs and each camp day is focused on a pillar of character: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship, which is then coupled with a themed group of animals. While they vary, animal groups might include: shelter animals, companion animals, farm animals, wild animals, endangered animals and service animals.
These compassionate campers dig right in by selecting shelter buddies for whom they dedicate all of their efforts! The end goal is to create a forever home for the animals. Campers engage in a myriad of adoption-directed crafts and activities, meet several very special animal visitors and even visit our barn and farm animals!
Where: Nina Mason Pulliam Campus for Compassion
1521 W Dobbins Rd
Phoenix, AZ 85041
Cost: Campers can attend single days for $50.00 each, a single-session for $175.00 or sign up for the full six-day, two-week session, for a further discounted tuition of $325.00.
When:
- June 9-12 1:00 pm – 5:30 pm (Session I)
- June 23-26 1:00 pm – 5:30 pm (Session II)
- July 7-10 1:00 pm – 5:30 pm (Session I)
- July 21-24 1:00 pm – 5:30 pm (Session II)
Other camps are available for teens and various topics relating to animals and careers. Please visit the AZ Humane Society for a complete listing of events.
K9 Kids Camp at Villa La PAWs
This unique summer camp is open to kids and teens ages 7 to 17 and their dogs. During the camp, kids will focus on:
- Relationship-building
- Responsibility and companionship between kids and their pets
- Basic pet obedience training
- Fun tricks, games with dogs including relay races, musical chairs and tic tac toe
- Crafts with pets such as making dog toys, collars and bowls, and painting with dogs
- Dog career demonstrations with police dogs, and crisis response, assistance and search-and-rescue dogs.
Trainer Wendi Faircloth will also cover canine first aid, proper grooming, how to approach unknown dogs, and instruction on dog sports such as flyball, disc and agility. They can also pair kids with rescue dogs to train and make more adoptable, which is a fantastic opportunity for pets and kids! Remember – all dogs must be evaluated, and be current on vaccinations and well socialized. Here is information on how to get your pet (or rescue animal) evaluated prior to signing up for the course.
When: June 10-14 and July 15-19, noon to 4 p.m. (Evaluations available Monday-Friday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday by appointment.)
Where: Villa La PAWs Canine Training Academy
10630 N. 32nd Street, Phoenix
(Paradise Hills Shopping Center: 32nd St. & Shea Blvd.)
Cost: $200 per kid/teen
Contact: Call Villa La PAWs at (888) 855.7833 (option 3) or email training@villalapaws.com
If you know of other summer camps or activities for kids and their four-legged friends, please leave a comment below including the area/region that the camps take place. We would love to feature them in upcoming articles.