Summer is a magical time at Animal Friends, with fun and educational camp experiences for young people. We offer daytime camps for children who have recently finished kindergarten through sixth grade, and — new this year — we are offering Mini Apprenticeships for 13–17-year-olds.
Online registration opened Tuesday, April 4th at noon!
Our Campers and ApprenticesGrade levels listed below indicate the camper’s or apprentice’s grade as of the spring of 2023. Youths must be registered for the appropriate camp based upon the grade they complete in the spring of 2023. We do not register youths outside of their grade level except to accommodate neurovariance. If this applies to your child, please contact us before registering. For the safety of the children and animals, all campers or apprentices must be able to follow verbal directions or be accompanied by an adult assistant. Animal Friends’ summer camps are not appropriate for students who are allergic to or fearful of dogs, cats or rabbits. Animal Friends is not a nut-free facility. Campers and apprentices are welcome to bring a light non-perishable snack and a refillable water bottle to camp each day. We do not provide any pre- or post-camp childcare for our campers or apprentices. Drop-off is ten minutes before the start time listed for the camp session. Pick-up should be within ten minutes of the end time of the camp session. Caregivers will be invited to a special Show What You Know presentation for campers or a Recognition Ceremony for apprentices during the last 15 minutes of camp each Friday. Online RegistrationRegistration for summer camp must be completed online. We are unable to accept paper or walk-in registrations. We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover and PayPal. Due to parental permission slips and required medical information, only the parent or legal guardian of the camper may complete the registration process. Our camps sell out quickly!Before registering, please scroll down this page to be sure the camp of your choosing is not already sold out. If you would like your name added to a wait list for a sold out camp, please provide your name, phone number and the specific name of the camp you are interested in attending, in an email to Donna Klingelhofer, Animal Friends University, at DKlingelhofer@ThinkingOutsideTheCage.org. ConfirmationsOnce online registration is complete for a particular camp, you will receive a confirmation email shortly thereafter. If you do not receive the confirmation email, please contact us at DKlingelhofer@ThinkingOutsideTheCage.org. Approximately one week prior to the start of camp, you will receive a reminder email. Summer Camp Cancellation PolicyTo receive a refund for summer camp, the refund request must be received no later than one month prior to the start date of the registered camp. Refund requests should be sent to Donna Klingelhofer at DKlingelhofer@ThinkingOutsideTheCage.org or 412.847.7035. Refund requests received after that date will not be accepted, and the tuition will be considered a donation to Animal Friends. Summer CampsCritter CampFor learners in kindergarten or grade 1 in the spring of 2023. This camp curriculum is based on grade completed, rather than age. Our youngest campers will enjoy four consecutive days of fun activities and projects centered on cat, dog, and rabbit critter companions. Through stories, artwork, hands-on activities, and animal interactions, campers will not only learn about the fascinating lives of pets but also how to care for and interact with them, while connecting with fellow campers, animal professionals, and a world where kindness is key! We will provide a camp T-shirt that is to be worn each day. Critter Camp is limited to eight campers per session. Instructors: Critter Camp Session 1 Dates: Tuesday-Friday | June 20 – 23 – Sold Out! Time: 9:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Tuition: $155 Critter Camp Session 2 Dates: Wednesday-Friday | July 5 – 7 – Sold Out! Time: 9:15 am-12:15 pm Tuition: $125* *NOTE: this is a three-day session due to the holiday; tuition fee adjusted accordingly. Critter Camp Session 3 Dates: Tuesday-Friday | July 11 – 14 – Sold Out! Time: 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Tuition: $155 Critter Camp Session 4 Dates: Tuesday-Friday | July 25 – 28 – Sold Out! Time: 9:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Tuition: $155 Camp Animal Friends – if you would like to be placed on a wait list, please email Donna at AFU@ThinkingOutsideTheCage.orgFor learners in grades 2-4 in the spring of 2023. This camp curriculum is based on grade completed, rather than age. For the budding pet lover or tried-and-true animal enthusiast, this animal-centered program features projects, games, and activities all about cat, dog, and rabbit friends. Campers will examine what it’s like to be a dog, cat, or rabbit while practicing safe animal interactions, digging into animal caregiving and enrichment, and learning all about the work of Animal Friends in the shelter and in the community. We will provide a camp T-shirt that is to be worn each day. Camp Animal Friends is limited to ten campers per session. Instructors: Camp Animal Friends Session 1 Dates: Tuesday-Friday | June 20 – 23 – Sold Out! Time: 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Tuition: $155 Camp Animal Friends Session 2 Dates: Wednesday-Friday | July 5 – 7 – Sold Out! Time: 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Tuition: $125* *NOTE: this is a three-day session due to the holiday; tuition fee adjusted accordingly. Camp Animal Friends Session 3 Dates: Tuesday-Friday | July 18 – 21 – Sold Out! Time: 9:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Tuition: $155 Camp Animal Friends Session 4 Dates: Tuesday-Friday | July 25 – 28 – Sold Out! Time: 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Tuition: $155 Camp Animal Friends Session 5 Dates: Tuesday-Friday | August 1 – 4 – Sold Out! Time: 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Tuition: $155 Pets PlusFor learners in grades 5-6 in the spring of 2023. This camp curriculum is based on grade completed, rather than age. Pets Plus camp includes the most popular camp activities — hands-on time with dogs, cats and rabbits, collaboration with fellow campers, and putting animal safety into practice – plus the opportunities for behind-the-scenes peeks at Animal Friends, engaging with staff and special guests, and exploring the real responsibilities and rewards of caring for and speaking up for animals. We will provide a camp T-shirt that is to be worn each day. Pets Plus is limited to 12 students per session. Instructor: Linne Querubin Pets Plus Session 1 Dates: Tuesday-Friday | June 27 – 30 – Sold Out! Time: 9:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Tuition: $155 Pets Plus Session 2 Dates: Tuesday-Friday | July 11-14 – Sold Out! Time: 9:15 a.m.- 12:15 p.m. Tuition: $155 Pets Plus Session 3 Dates: Tuesday-Friday | August 1 – 4 – Sold Out! Time: 9:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Tuition: $155 Pets Plus Session 4 Dates: Tuesday-Friday | August 8 – 11 – Sold Out! Time: 9:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Tuition: $155 Mini ApprenticeshipsNew in 2023, Mini-Apprenticeships offer teens the opportunity to experience the professional world of animal caregiving and advocacy through hands-on encounters with pets and the professionals who care for them. Teens who complete a Mini Apprenticeship will receive a certificate of completion and valuable career-readiness preparation. We provide a T-shirt that is to be worn daily. Apprentices are asked to wear closed-toed tennis shoes or sneakers, as apprentices wearing flip flops, sandals or open-back shoes will not be permitted to handle dogs. Attendance each day is mandatory, and teens must be 13 by the first day of camp. Canine Companions Mini Apprenticeship For learners ages 13-15 who (a) have attended Canine Good Manners camp in a previous year, (b) are Animal Friends dog walkers* or (c) for any interested youths ages 16-17. *Must be a teen volunteer who has completed Open Paw dog-walking orientation and is a volunteer with “active” status. “Active” is defined as having volunteered at Animal Friends as a dog walker within the last 12 months. Whether you want to work with dogs as a career, wish to be the best friend possible for your dog at home, or plan to have a dog companion in the future, this mini-apprenticeship will align you with certified dog trainers, canine behavior specialists, veterinary professionals, and more – with plenty of interactions with a variety of dogs. You will leave with real-world experience in dog care and training as well as a big-picture view of the interconnected worlds of humans and animals. Canine Companions is limited to 10 students per session. Dates: Tuesday-Friday | June 27 – 30 Register Time: 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Tuition: $185 Animal Allies Mini Apprenticeship For learners ages 13-17. Calling all future animal trainers, rescuers, caregivers, and veterinarians – join professionals who will guide you in experiencing animal-related careers firsthand. Learn about how to meet, interact with, and care for companion animals while you experience a deep dive into the lifesaving work of the animal advocates at Animal Friends. Not only will you participate in tasks that benefit the shelter residents, but you will also leave with a deeper understanding of the animal-human relationship and how the health and wellbeing of all animals leads to a healthy, happier you. Apprentices will have encounters with dogs, cats, and rabbits throughout the week. Animal Allies is limited to 10 students per session. Dates: Tuesday-Friday | July 18 – 21 – Sold Out! Time: 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Tuition: $185
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