By Lindsay Woge and Delaney Beaver, Humane Education
Summer has a way of making the plant kingdom flourish. Flowers and trees reach toward the sun and gardens grow their delicious bounties. At Animal Friends, the grounds were not the only thing to experience a growth spurt during the months of June, July and August. For eight weeks during this sunny and fruitful time of year, over 150 youth attended Summer Camp for a chance to cultivate knowledge and skills related to animals.
Campers blossomed at the sight of hopping rabbits, friendly Therapet dogs and purring kittens. But the animals aren’t the only reason our campers were all smiles. Summer Camp activities included brainstorming what makes an animal happy, growing cat grass for special kitties, using tie-dye techniques to create safe and stimulating enrichment toys for cats and learning the ins and outs of clicker training on a giant, cooperative gameboard.
The goal of the Humane Education team at Animal Friends is to grow the next generation of animal advocates. Whether Summer Camp is a place where a few tiny seeds of kindness are planted or a network of kindhearted roots and shoots spread and flourish, campers have shown us that, in any season, the future is friendly to all living beings – including all of our animal friends!
Critter Camp: Showing what you know!
Rabbits, kittens and puppies … oh my! Our youngest campers were introduced to each of these species while engaging in activities pertaining to animal enrichment, safe handling techniques and unique art projects. At the conclusion of Critter Camp, the campers invited their caregivers to a Show-What-You-Know presentation which allowed them to share their most notable discoveries and present their art pieces. As campers reflected upon some of the terminology that was discussed, camper Kacie defined what it means to be rescued as “when someone found a scared animal who needed help and saved them so they could live again.” It is our hope that these campers will share their understanding and innate sense of compassion in their own households and beyond!
Animal Encounters: Making four-legged friends!
In addition to learning how to handle kittens or how to pet a rabbit, no camp would be complete without a visit from a Therapet dog and handler team. Campers enjoyed giving their canine friend chin scratches and were impressed by their agility and grace, jumping through hoops and scurrying through tunnels. While the handlers do an amazing job of sharing stories of these canine companions, campers delighted in seeing and feeling firsthand the benefits of interacting with these specially trained and certified therapy dogs. Visits with animals are the highlight of camp and are the main reason our campers return to Summer Camp at Animal Friends year after year.
Canine Good Manners: Extending your circle of compassion!
Compassion, empathy and consideration are just some of the core values that played a vital role in the Canine Good Manners camp. During this week-long camp experience, teen campers were paired with a puppy to train and socialize. The campers displayed exceptional understanding and commitment to their puppies through unwavering patience, perseverance through guided clicker and crate training and, most notably, empathy for their four-legged companions. As camper Lindsey reflected, “through this experience of working with puppies, it has given me perspective […] I realized that you have to be not only kind to puppies, but you can have that special relationship with people as well.” This shared understanding, appreciation and compassion for all species can also remind us to extend our own circles of compassion within our communities and beyond.
Camp Animal Friends: Thinking critically and creatively!
Campers visited the adoptable rabbits to learn firsthand about rabbit nutrition, body language and basic needs before interacting with one of our residents to get to know how unique and full of personality each individual is! To show what they learned, campers designed a rabbit room diorama, complete with a sculpture of rabbit inhabitants. Campers and expert critical thinkers, Reagan and Katelyn each included a loft in their rabbit rooms but with different functions. Reagan’s loft would be for potential adopters who “could sit and let the rabbit come to you.” For Katelyn, half of the loft area would be a play area, and half would be for rabbits with medical needs who are not yet ready for adoption. Katelyn also suggested adding a mural, “to give a little bit of a glimpse of the outside world.” Camp Animal Friends campers have certainly demonstrated the consideration needed when caring for companion animals.
Pets Plus: Preparing for a humane future!
For the campers who completed fifth or sixth grade, Pets Plus is the opportunity to think about the future, including a career as an animal professional. From learning about Humane Investigations and Humane Society Police Officers to watching dog trainers demonstrate the sport of scent work, campers were inspired daily. Campers considering veterinary careers had the opportunity for a behind-the-scenes look into the Medical Suite, where the Medical team showed campers tools of the trade, demonstrated real exams and procedures and provided an up-close view of life as a vet tech or veterinarian. Pets Plus instructor Katie Devlin shared, “one of the many reasons I love teaching this camp is that it attracts campers who have a passion for animals. By being able to share experiences such as the Medical Suite tour, they can see behind the curtain on the key Lifesaving Operations that occur here at Animal Friends, as well as possibly even spark an interest in veterinary medicine.” Whatever path these campers are on, we know their empathy and love of animals will be with them down all roads.