a white logo with text at the bottom saying Helen Woodward Animal Center. There are two kids with dogs, a horse, a bird and cats under a tree.

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Hands-On Humane Education

The Education Department at Helen Woodward Animal Center serves people of all ages by providing a variety of unique programs which support the bond between humans and animals. Participating in any program will help improve understanding, compassion, and responsibility toward all living things, which is one more step towards creating a more humane world.

Programs include presentations with live animal ambassadors and hands-on interactions such as handling, petting, feeding, or getting an up-close look. Most programs are also supplemented with related crafts, games, and/or activities. You’ll walk away with a greater understanding of the natural world and how you can leave a positive impact. Learn more about our animal-focused Education programs below!

Starting June 2025, we will run programs at our new Humane Education Campus! This will include changes to our spaces and processes.

  • We have two large indoor event rooms where birthdays will operate out of and where campers will have snack and lunch at tables.

 

  • Each event room has an adjacent outdoor playground, themed either as a park or as pollinators, that are rated for certain ages. Birthday parties and camps will have access to them throughout their program, and other program can access as available.

 

  • Animal encounters occur in habitat-themed classrooms or, depending on the animal species, outdoor presentation areas. Each classroom has custom designed wall artwork and theming to inspire awe and understanding of our natural world.

 

CRITTER CAMP

A group of 10 elementary school age children in their bright blue Critter Camp t-shirts sitting with a camp counselor while she holds a large chicken

Critter Camp is San Diego’s Best Animal Camp for kids from Preschool through 8th Grade!

 

Children will experience amazing hands-on animal interactions and camp activities, including animal-themed games, crafts, songs and more!

  • MLK Day Camp
  • February Camp
  • Spring Camp
  • Summer Camp
  • Fall Camp
  • Thanksgiving Camp
  • Winter Camp
Critter Camp

CAREER CAMPS

A young girl kneels down beside a white pony to listen to his heart beat with a stethoscope.
Vet Camp
A young girl in a red sweatshirt feeds an African Grey parrot a bowl of food while he is sitting on a perch.
Zookeeper Camp

BIRTHDAY PARTIES

Three elementary school age girls blowout the candles on a large white sheet cake while four adults stand behind them.

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

SEASONAL EVENTS

Four small children sit on a grey and white striped blanket while one little girl with blonde hair pets a large white and grey bunny
Spring Tails
Three little girls and their Mom, with their buckets of candy, are all dressed up for Halloween as a black and purple cat, an orange and black butterfly and a princess with a yellow dress.
Howl-O-Ween Harvest
A man in a red sweater and a woman in a grey turtleneck sweater sitting next to a Christmas tree while holding their toddler aged son.
Critters Save Christmas

YEAR-ROUND PROGRAMS

A Daisy scout in her blue vest and yellow shirt is smiling as she holds a yellow and black spotted gecko.
A man in a black hat and t-shirt sitting next to a woman in a black shirt and floral pants observe a man with glasses who is holding and petting a medium sized lizard on a towel on his lap.
An elementary school aged girl with blonde hair wearing a rainbow-colored tie-dyed t-shirt is holding the leash of a golden retriever dog sitting next to her, both the girl and the dog are smiling.
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.

 

 

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 own choosing and participate in an activity that will be sure to create lifelong memories.

Dog Smart

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

Register for a Girl Scout Program
Register for Animal Encounters
Register for a Dog Smart Program
A group of elementary aged children sit and look on as a staff member walks a large black and white sheep in front of them.
A young girl in a navy-blue t-shirt bends down to pet a light brown medium sized dog wearing a light blue bandana and sitting obediently.
A medium sized tortoise sits in front of his three-dimensional portrait.
School Programs

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

Trail Adventure Workshop

Animal ambassadors will teach you how to hike safely and responsibly!

Crafting with Critters

This session will explore a different style of art and include a different animal muse that includes hands-on interaction with their animal model.

Register for a School Program
Register for a Trail Adventure
Register for Crafting with Critters
- Four children playing on the Education Center’s newly renovated playground, which includes a green slide with big yellow flowers and a green and purple hummingbird.
- A Mom looking on as children play on the new playground.
- Several children and parents standing on the new playground, which includes several climbing logs and a pair of cartoon racoons on one of the logs.
- Two parents holding their toddler while gazing at a new blue slide that is coming down out of a climbing log on the playground.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

DRIVING DIRECTIONS TO EDUCATION

Please do not park in spots labeled “Adopters Only”.

Lot B: Google Map off Helen Woodward Way (off San Dieguito), follow the road straight then turn left at the stop sign. After parking, walk towards the large white building with the red roof until you see our covered pavilion.

  • During the weekend only, you can park in the spots labeled “Visitor” before the automatic white gate.

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
  • Lot B: Left turn on Helen Woodward Way (just before El Apajo Rd.).

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
  • Lot B: Left turn on Helen Woodward Way (just before El Apajo Rd.).

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
  • Lot B: Right turn on Helen Woodward Way (just before El Apajo Rd.).

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
  • Lot B: Right turn on Helen Woodward Way (just before El Apajo Rd.).

**Please note: Helen Woodward Way is NOT accessible via El Apajo; you must enter from San Dieguito Road. It is closed via El Apajo by a traffic gate only the fire department can operate that isn’t visible on GPS and Google maps.

Parking Map

If you have any questions, please call us at 858-756-4117 x318 or e-mail: [email protected]  

SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION

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!

Click here for the scholarship guidelines and application

Completed applications can be sent in a few ways:

  • Email the application and materials (scanned in or clear photos taken) to the Education Associate Director, Haylee Blake, at [email protected]
  • Mail the application and materials to Attn: Education Associate Director, PO Box 64, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067
  • 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 [email protected] or 858-756-4117 ext 317

SHARING THE EARTH BOOKLET

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 [email protected].

GIFT CARDS

Purchase the gift of making memories with our hands-on animal interactions! We run programs off two different software – you can redeem your gift card on any program offered on the same software (non-camp programs run on FareHarbor, camp programs run on Jumbula. Expires 12 months after purchase date. Select a gift card with our minimum requirement to run most programs ($75) or set a value of your choosing.

Buy FareHarbor Gift Cards Here  (non-camp programs)

Buy Jumbula Gift Cards Here (camp programs)

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 [email protected] 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
[email protected]

Associate Director of Education

Haylee Blake
858-756-4117 ext. 317
[email protected]

Book Now

Address

P.O. Box 64, 6461 El Apajo Road

Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067

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Due to Hurricane Hilary, all  departments will be closing at 3pm today.  Stay safe!