Summer Critter Camp

A wonderful San Diego Summer Camp where kids connect with animals!

June 1 – August 21, 2026
Preschool- 8^th Grade

Daily Sign ups available!

Summer Critter Camp is San Diego’s best animal camp for kids Preschool through 8th grade! Children will experience daily animal interactions that will amaze them as they get up close and personal with a variety of species including birds, small mammals, reptiles, large mammals, and invertebrates. Our summer camp activities are different each day and include animal themed games, crafts, songs, and more. There’s something for everyone at Summer Critter Camp, and a great time for all!

Additional details and prices can be found when you click the register now button!

We offer registration in both a daily (drop-in) and a weekly form.

Daily registration: a single day and applies the daily rate, regardless of how many days you register for. Allows flexibility to fit your schedule needs!
Weekly registration: a single week and applies the weekly rate, but we do not prorate or transfer credits if you don’t attend all the days of that week. Best value option and campers receive a FREE t-shirt! No weekly option Week 5, Fourth of July week. We are closed on July third.

We also offer camp for 7th-8th graders on select weeks!

Weekly registration on 6 select weeks only.
Theme is the same each week and different from the weekly themes the other grades follow. Their themes focus on animal careers. Details can be found below.

We have a weekly theme that alternates every other week for Preschool-6th grade.

Odd weeks: Amazing Animal Athletes – discover how animals are built to perform. Campers will see how training, teamwork, nutrition, adaptations, and habitats shape animal performance and help them thrive in their environments.
Even weeks: Bioscience and Beyond – explore how animals inspire human ideas and innovation. Campers will examine how animal bodies, behaviors, and designs influence science, technology, media, and fashion.

Odd Weeks	Even Weeks	7th-8th Weeks
Week 1: Jun 1-5	Week 2: Jun 8-12	Week 3: Jun 15-19
Week 3: Jun 15-19	Week 4: Jun 22-26	Week 4: Jun 22-26
Week 5: Jun 29-Jul 2 (no camp 7/3)	Week 6: Jul 6-10	Week 6: Jul 6-10
Week 7: Jul 13-17	Week 8: Jul 20-24	Week 7: Jul 13-17
Week 9: Jul 27-31	Week 10: Aug 3-7	Week 8: Jul 20-24
Week 11: Aug 10-14	Week 12: Aug 17-21	Week 9: Jul 27-21

Summer Critter Camp Themes

Amazing Animal Athletes – Odd Weeks

Whether it’s the stunning speed of a rabbit or the brave balancing act of a bearded dragon, our animal athletes have abilities that are sure to amaze you. Do you think they have what it takes to land a spot on the podium?

Different days of the week follow different daily themes depending on grade. Below is a list of all the daily themes for the Amazing Animal Athletes weeks. All grades will also visit our Adoptions department, and some older grades will visit other departments of the Center on select days.

Homefield Advantage

PreK-2nd – Monday | 3rd-6th – Tuesday: From burrows to branches, animals are built for their environments. Campers will explore how different habitats influence an animal’s strength, speed, senses, and behaviors—just like an athlete training for their home field. Campers will meet a Goat, Guinea pig, Medium parrot, Leopard gecko, Earthworm

Training to Survive

PreK-2nd – Tuesday | 3rd-6th – Wednesday: Animals learn, practice, and problem-solve in fascinating ways. Campers will compare instinct versus learning and discover how animals develop skills that help them succeed in the wild and alongside people. Campers will meet a Miniature horse, Rabbit, Large parrot, Ball python, Madagascar hissing cockroach.

Built to Perform

PreK-2nd – Wednesday | 3rd-6th – Thursday: Animals may not wear helmets or cleats, but their bodies are perfectly designed for their roles. From wool and scales to claws and shells, campers will uncover how animal adaptations act like high-performance gear for survival. Campers will meet a Sheep, Rabbit, Chicken, Bearded dragon, CA desert tortoise or box turtle.

Fuel for the Finish Line

PreK-2nd – Thursday | 3rd-6th – Friday: Just like athletes, animals rely on the right fuel to stay strong and healthy. Campers will explore different diets, teeth, and feeding behaviors—and learn how nutrition supports endurance, strength, and survival. Campers will meet a Miniature horse, Dog, Dove, Rosy boa or sand boa, Blue death-feigning beetle.

Stronger Together

PreK-2nd – Friday | 3rd-6th – Monday: Many animals rely on cooperation, communication, and community to thrive. Campers will learn how animals work together and how humans can be part of the team by protecting, respecting, and helping animals in our world. Campers will meet a Dog, Chinchilla, Small parrot, Blue tongued skink, Frog.

Bioscience and Beyond – Even Weeks

Does your child have an incredibly inquisitive mind? This camp week delves into the seemingly distant worlds of nature and technology and we will find out why they’re closer than we may realize. Campers will uncover the ways that wildlife has influenced technology and our advancement as humans.

Different days of the week follow different daily themes depending on grade. Below is a list of all the daily themes for the Bioscience and Beyond weeks. All grades will also visit our Adoptions department, and some older grades will visit other departments of the Center on select days.

Lights, Camera, Animals!

PreK-2nd – Monday | 3rd-6th – Tuesday: Animals appear everywhere in movies, books, television, and games. Campers will explore how animals are portrayed in media and stories and how those portrayals shape the way people think, feel, and act toward real animals. Campers will meet a Dog, Rabbit, Large parrot, Blue tongued skink, Madagascar hissing cockroach.

Nature Knows Best

PreK-2nd – Tuesday | 3rd-6th – Wednesday: Animals have inspired incredible human inventions, from flight and movement to materials and design. Campers will dive into the world of biomimicry, discovering how scientists and engineers look to nature to solve problems and innovate for the future. Campers will meet a Miniature horse, Guinea pig, Dove, Leopard gecko, Blue death-feigning beetle.

Designed by Nature

Desi8gned by Nature

PreK-2nd – Wednesday | 3rd-6th – Thursday Animals’ coats, shells, scales, and feathers are more than beautiful, they’re brilliantly designed. Campers will compare animal coverings and explore how texture, pattern, and structure have inspired human clothing, materials, and design Campers will meet a Sheep, Chinchilla, Chicken, Bearded dragon, CA desert tortoise or box turtle.

Built for the Job

PreK-2nd – Thursday | 3rd-6th – Friday Every animal is uniquely designed for how it eats, moves, and lives. Campers will explore fascinating physiological adaptations and discover how animals’ bodies are perfectly suited for their roles in nature, and how those traits inspire human innovation. Campers will meet a Goat, Rabbit, Small parrot, Rosy boa or sand boa, Frog.

Inspired by Animals

PreK-2nd – Friday | 3rd-6th – Monday Animals inspire us every day through companionship, teamwork, and problem solving. Campers will explore the special relationships between people and animals and learn how animals influence our lives while discovering meaningful ways we can care for and support them in return. Campers will meet a Miniature horse, Dog, Medium parrot, Ball python, Earthworm.

Critter Careers – 7th-8th grade (same each week)

Explore the different ways you can work with animals, some of which include direct care of the animals, while others mean supporting them through the work you do at a distance. Campers will assist our animal care team, plus they will meet professionals in the animal industry, and develop lifelong leadership skills during their time here at Helen Woodward Animal Center in San Diego.

Monday - Veterinary Science 100

Discover the fundamentals of veterinary medicine with hands-on experience preparing diets and feeding small mammal ambassadors. Take an exclusive tour of our onsite small animal hospital and learn about the schooling and skills veterinarians need to care for animals. Campers will meet a Sheep, Rabbit, Dove, Rosy boa or sand boa, Blue death-feigning beetle.

Tuesday - Wildlife Academy

Step into the role of a zookeeper by assisting our animal care team with animal ambassador enclosure care. Tour our cat and dog adoption center to discover how we care for dozens of animals each day and learn about the essential training required for a rewarding career in animal care. Campers will meet a Dog, Chinchilla, Small parrot, CA desert tortoise or box turtle, Madagascar hissing cockroach.

Wednesday - Animal Trainer 101

Explore the exciting techniques animal trainers use to communicate and build trust with animals. Get hands-on with dog agility practice, and an exclusive tour of our therapeutic riding center. Campers will meet a Miniature horse, Guinea pig, Medium parrot, Blue tongued skink, Frog.

Thursday - Lab and Fieldwork

Dive into the diverse world of animal research with a tour of our equine hospital, insight into careers in labs and the field, and practice studying animals while assisting with the daily exercise of our large mammal ambassadors. Campers will meet a Miniature horse, Dog, Large parrot, Ball python, Earthworm.

Friday - Media Ethics 102

Learn the importance of messaging and explore how social media affects animal advocacy. Discover how humane education builds a more compassionate world, help bathe on of our large mammal ambassadors, and uncover surprising connections between influencers and park rangers. Campers will meet a Goat, Rabbit, Chicken, Bearded dragon, Leopard gecko.

Your program fee helps support all of our adoptable animals, as well as the many human and animal services Helen Woodward Animal Center provides.

For more information:
Please contact us at education@animalcenter.org or 858-756-4117 ext. 406

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