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:

1. Email the application and materials (scanned in or clear photos taken) to the Education Associate Director, Haylee Blake, at hayleeb@animalcenter.org
2. Mail the application and materials to Attn: Education Associate Director, PO Box 64, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067
3. The application and materials are dropped off in person to the Education Associate Director during the department’s regular business hours, at 6463 Helen Woodward Way, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067

If you have any questions, please contact Haylee Blake at hayleeb@animalcenter.org or 858-756-4117 ext 317

In order to take precautions against the COVID-19 pandemic, our programs have modifications and safety protocols in place, which were created based on CDC and county guidance. Policies are subject to change; please review this page carefully and find the section below that matches your program type to review its details.

Non Camp Programs

Program Types: Birthdays, Interactive Animal Encounters, Girl Scout Programs, DogSmart, School Field Trips, Seasonal Events

• Masks & social distancing are not required inside or outside

• The program will be held outside as much as possible for ventilation.
• • The program may go inside due to certain animal/activity requirements, or if the weather requires. When inside the room has an H13 HIPA filtration unit.
• We will sanitize hands directly before and after using any shared items (including when petting animals).
• Guests should not attend if anyone in their household has a fever or displays symptoms like coughing, sore throat or headache.

Policies subject to change, last updated 3/14/22

Camp Programs

Program types: Critter Camp, You Can Be A Veterinarian Camp, Animal Care Camp

Camps adhere to K-12 guidelines as directed by San Diego County.

• Masks and social distancing:
  • Outside masks not required, social distancing not required.
    • Eating will occur outdoors.
  • Inside masks are recommended, social distancing not required.
• The class will be held outside as often as possible for ventilation.
  • The class will go inside throughout the day due to certain animal/activity requirements, or if the weather requires. When inside the room has an H13 HIPA filtration unit.
• Stable groups are maintained as much as possible and any mixing and sharing is limited.
  • When sharing is necessary (such as when interacting with the animal), we sanitize hands directly before and after.
  • Outdoor eating areas are shared and are sanitized before and after use.
• Switching campers to be with siblings/friends after groups have already been assigned is not always possible. Groups are assigned in a manner to keep the same ages together when possible, and have maximums based on their assigned indoor space.
• Please call us to cancel and do not attend if anyone in your household has a fever or displays symptoms like coughing, sore throat or headache.
• We adhere to CDC guidance for quarantine/isolation and steps to take when there is an exposure risk. This may mean that masks become required for those who have been exposed and that attendance may not be possible if a camper is not up to date on their vaccinations.

Policies subject to change, last updated 3/14/22

In commemoration of our 50^th 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.