Kids' Career Camps

Get ready for an unforgettable adventure with our immersive Career Camps, designed to inspire and educate future veterinarians and zookeepers. These one-day camps offer hands-on learning, professional insights, and real-world skills that ignite a passion for animal care. Choose your path below and let the journey begin!

You Can Be A Veterinarian Camp

Are you ready to step into the shoes of a real vet? Join us for You Can Be a Veterinarian Camp, an immersive one-day experience where kids will explore the exciting world of veterinary medicine firsthand! From handling exotic animals to practicing real-life techniques, campers will gain valuable skills, interact with professional equipment, and even speak with veterinary experts. This rare opportunity offers a fun, hands-on journey into the world of animal care, inspiring future vets to learn, dream big, and discover their passion

Veterinarian Camp Experience Details Half Day Camp Full Day Camp

Camp Length

3.5 Hours

6.0 Hours

Exotics Physiology Lab: Perform a paper frog dissection and meet an amphibian ambassador up close! Discover the secrets of these fascinating creatures

Equine Care & Management 101: Explore our Equine Hospital and learn how veterinarians care for horses.

Veterinary Surgical Nursing 100: Meet a snake and hear a life-saving surgery story, then practice suturing techniques on realistic models!

Canine CPR & Intro to Anatomy: Master CPR on a canine model and see how vets prep dogs for surgery.

Lagomorph Parasitology 100: Interact with a rabbit and investigate parasites under a microscope.

Companion Animal Care & Management 101: Meet one of our veterinarians who will share their education and career background, as well as answer questions.

Ornithology Digest Identification 101: Meet a feathered friend and dissect an owl pellet to discover the unique world of bird digestion!

Phlebotomy & Vaccination Lab: Practice drawing blood and giving injections using specialized teaching tools.

Intro to Nutrition & Equine Clinical Techniques 100: Conduct a health check on a miniature horse and learn how their digestive system works.

Splinting and Bandaging 101: Perfect the art of bandaging an injured animal’s limb.

Zookeeper Camp

Kids in San Diego will get to experience what it’s like to have an awesome career with animals with Zookeeper Camp. This one-day camp involves unique hands-on activities from our professional animal care staff to give campers experiences with the different aspects of zookeeping, such as diet preparation, exercise, enrichment, and more. Campers will be encouraged to follow their passion and explore their skills with animals of all kinds, such as large and small mammals, reptiles, and birds. Spots are extremely limited, so register today!

Zookeeper Camp Experience Details Half Day Camp Full Day Camp

Camp Length

Not available

6.0 Hours

Zookeeper Camp 101: Step into your first day as a Junior Zookeeper! Discover essential roles, responsibilities, and safety protocols to keep our animal ambassadors healthy and happy.

Avian Care and Essentials 101: Meet our unique feathered friends! Learn proper handling techniques, maintain enclosures, and understand avian nutrition.

Reptile Handling and Habitat Care 100: Explore the fascinating world of reptiles! Practice safe handling and learn about their feeding, cleaning, and enrichment needs.

Small Mammal Care and Techniques 102:
Get hands-on with rabbits, guinea pigs, and chinchillas! Learn their dietary needs, feeding routines, and daily care essentials.

Barn and Large Animal Essentials 102: Care for larger animals like sheep, goats, and mini horses. Experience tasks like cleaning, grooming, and providing exercise to keep them healthy and happy.

Exotic Animal Enrichment and Training Behavior Basics 100: Learn how zookeepers reduce stress during health checks and enrich animals’ lives by shaping natural behaviors.

Zookeeper Feeding and Closing Procedures 102: Learn evening routines to ensure animals have food, water, and secure enclosures, maintaining their health and safety overnight.

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!

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