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Menu Humane Education
Donate
Humane Education

Programs & Services Humane Education

  • Pets Without Walls
    • Cozy Critters
  • AniMeals
    • Drop-off Locations
  • Birthday Parties
  • Education
    • Spring Tails
    • Interactive Animal Encounters
    • You Can Be a Veterinarian Camp
    • February Critter Camp
    • Spring Break Critter Camp
    • Summer Critter Camp
    • Animal Care Camp
    • Girl Scout Programs
    • School Programs
    • Virtual Education
    • DogSmart
  • Pet Encounter Therapy
  • Therapeutic Riding
    • Benefits of Therapeutic Riding
    • Therapeutic Riding Staff
    • Our Horses
    • Prospective Therapeutic Riding Clients
    • Current Program Participants and Volunteers
  • Business of Saving Lives
    • One-Day Workshops
    • Three-Day Conference
  • Critter Cam
  • _______________________
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Animal Activities for Kids of All Ages!

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

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!

Summer Critter Camp
Martin Luther King Jr. Critter Camp
February Critter Camp
Spring Critter Camp
Fall Critter Camp
Thanksgiving Critter Camp
Winter Critter Camp

Upcoming Critter Camp: February Critter Camp

Register Now

SEASONAL EVENTS

Spring Tails

Spring has sprung in the Education Department! Perfect for school groups and families; discover all the fascinating changes that take place in the animal world during this time of the year.

Spring Tails

HowlOWeen Harvest

Whether they have scales or sharp nails, all animals deserve compassion and respect! Kids and families will learn about how we can help all animals, not just the cute and cuddly ones!

HowlOWeen Harvest

Wild Winter

Join Santa and his festive animal ambassadors as families come together to enjoy the magical spirit of this holiday with animal encounters, games, crafts, and more.

Wild Winter

EDUCATION PROGRAMS & BIRTHDAY PARTIES

Birthdays

Our animal ambassadors can’t wait to celebrate your birthday with you! We make planning a party easy with three party packages that aim to fit your needs.

Birthday Parties

Animal Care Camp

Learn about the many facets of animal husbandry, from preparing diets to exercise and training, with the help of our variety of animal ambassadors such as hoof stock, small mammals, reptiles, and birds at this day camp.

Animal Care Camp

Vet Camp

Children can explore the rewarding field of veterinary medicine with this one day camp full of hands-on activities, animal interactions, and more.

You Can Be A Vet Camp

Girl Scouts

We offer badge earning activities for Daisies, Brownies, Juniors, and Cadettes or join us for a Custom Scout Trip that is personalized to fit your troop’s age and interests.

Girl Scout Programs

Interactive Animal Encounters

You choose your own path with this customizable program, great for families or small groups. Choose from our over 30 different animal species as you explore a topic of your choosing and participate in an activity that will be sure to create lifelong memories.

Interactive Animal Encounters

Dogsmart

Learn about dog behavior and overcome your fear with one-on-one sessions that aim to build your confidence around dogs.

Dogsmart

School Programs

We bring humane education to the classroom with school outreaches or on-site school field trips.

School Programs

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

Driving Directions to Education

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.

Scholarships

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

Education COVID-19 Policies

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

Sharing the Earth

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.

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

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!

Contact us today to schedule your program!

Education Office: 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Monday–Friday
Programs offered: Monday–Sunday

Education Front Desk
858-756-4117 ext. 318
education@animalcenter.org

Associate Director of Education
Haylee Blake
858-756-4117 ext. 317
hayleeb@animalcenter.org

Address
P.O. Box 64, 6461 El Apajo Road
Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067

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858 756 4117 info@animalcenter.org 6461 El Apajo Rd
PO Box 64
Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067
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