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!
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.
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.
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.
Learn about dog behavior and overcome your fear with one-on-one sessions that aim to build your confidence around dogs.
We bring humane education to the classroom with school outreaches or on-site school field trips.
Animal ambassadors will teach you how to hike safely and responsibly!
This session will explore a different style of art and include a different animal muse that includes hands-on interaction with their animal model.
Due to construction on our new Humane Education Campus, our parking directions have changed and space is limited, carpooling is greatly appreciated and recommended.
Lot A: Google Map off El Apajo, the parking lot in front of the Adoptions building with the Helen Woodward Animal Center sign. Park and enter the wooden gate of our covered pavilion.
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.
I-5 Northbound (coming from the South – San Diego)
I-5 Southbound (coming from the North – Oceanside, Encinitas)
1-15 Northbound (coming from the South – Poway, Rancho Bernardo, and Scripps Ranch)
I-15 Southbound (coming from the North – Temecula, Riverside, Escondido)
**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.
If you have any questions, please call us at 858-756-4117 x318 or e-mail: [email protected]
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:
If you have any questions, please contact Haylee Blake at [email protected] 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 [email protected].
Purchase the gift of making memories with our hands-on animal interactions! Redeemable on any of our programs. 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 Gift Cards Here
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!
Education Office: 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Monday–Friday
Programs offered: Monday–Sunday
858-756-4117 ext. 318
[email protected]
Haylee Blake
858-756-4117 ext. 317
[email protected]
Due to Hurricane Hilary, all departments will be closing at 3pm today. Stay safe!
