The Education Department at Helen Woodward Animal Center serves children of all ages by providing a variety of unique learning opportunities which support the bond between humans and animals by nurturing knowledge, compassion and respect toward all living things.
Programs provide a variety of hands-on animal interactions for children of all ages from rabbits, horses and dogs, to snakes, birds and invertebrates. Learn more about our Animal Education Programs below!
Critter Camp is San Diego’s Best Animal Camp for kids from Preschool through 8th Grade!
Winner of Best Kids’ Camp in the “Best of Ranch & Coast 2020″
Children will experience amazing hands-on animal interactions and camp activities, including animal-themed games, crafts, songs and more!
I-5 Northbound (coming from the South – San Diego)
• I-5 North to Del Mar Heights Rd. exit 34
• Right (east) turn on Del Mar Heights Rd. – 0.5 miles
• Left turn on El Camino Real – 1.9 miles
• Right turn on San Dieguito Rd. – 3.2 miles
• Left turn on Helen Woodward Way (just before El Apajo Rd.) – follow the road straight down to the dirt lot that will be on your left
• Park in dirt lot and walk into the large, covered pavilion
I-5 Southbound (coming from the North – Oceanside, Encinitas)
• I-5 South to Via De La Valle exit 36
• Left turn (east) on Via De La Valle – 1.4 miles
• Right turn on El Camino Real – 0.5 miles
• Left turn on San Dieguito Rd. – 3.2 miles
• Left turn on Helen Woodward Way (just before El Apajo Rd.) – follow the road straight down to the dirt lot that will be on your left
• Park in dirt lot and walk into the large, covered pavilion
1-15 Northbound (coming from the South – Poway, Rancho Bernardo, and Scripps Ranch)
• I-15 North to Camino Del Norte exit 22
• Left (west) turn on Camino Del Norte – 2.7 miles
• Continue on Camino Del Sur – 3.6 miles
• Right turn on San Dieguito Rd. – 2.7 miles
• Right turn on Helen Woodward Way (just after El Apajo Rd.) – follow the road straight down to the dirt lot that will be on your left
• Park in dirt lot and walk into the large, covered pavilion
I-15 Southbound (coming from the North – Temecula, Riverside, Escondido)
• I-15 South to Rancho Bernardo Rd. exit 24
• Right (west) turn on Rancho Bernardo Rd. – 2.6 miles
• Right turn on Camino Del Sur – 3.6 miles
• Right turn on San Dieguito Rd. – 2.7 miles
• Right turn on Helen Woodward Way (just after El Apajo Rd.) – follow the road straight down to the dirt lot that will be on your left
• Park in dirt lot and walk into the large, covered pavilion
**Please note: Helen Woodward Way is NOT accessible via El Apajo; you must enter from San Dieguito Road.
It is our mission to show the community all of the amazing ways people help animals and animals help people, and that is why we are proud to offer scholarships to our Education programs so that anyone has the opportunity to participate!
Typically we can only provide one scholarship to a family per year for one child and one week of camp (or other program). The amount of the scholarship is determined through your application materials. Once you submit the application, it is then reviewed by our scholarship committee, which can take up to 30 days.
Click here for more information about applying for a scholarship
Click here for the scholarship application
Completed applications can be sent in a few ways:
If you have any questions, please contact Haylee Blake at hayleeb@animalcenter.org or 858-756-4117 ext 317
In commemoration of our 50th Anniversary, the “Sharing the Earth” booklet, first published in 1982, was recently updated and is designed especially for use in the fifth-grade classroom, in order to meet the need for humane education instructional materials. The booklet contains reproducible materials designed to increase the basic interrelationships between animals and humans by providing for lively activities that can both capture children’s interest and extend their knowledge.
A limited number of “Sharing the Earth” booklets include a display poster and are currently available to purchase for $35 plus tax and shipping.
To purchase your copy of “Sharing the Earth”, please call 858-756-4117 ext. 318 or email education@animalcenter.org.
For more information:
Please contact us at education@animalcenter.org or 858-756-4117 ext. 318
Follow us online to get more humane education virtually including animal facts, cute animal photos and videos, and notifications about upcoming programs!
Education Office: 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Monday–Friday
Programs offered: Monday–Sunday
858-756-4117 ext. 318
education@animalcenter.org
Haylee Blake
858-756-4117 ext. 317
hayleeb@animalcenter.org