Join the fun at Summer Critter Camp!

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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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Critter Camp

Critter Camp: San Diego Animal Camps for Kids

Hands-on animal camps for Preschool–6th Grade during school breaks, plus select summer opportunities for 7th–8th Grade campers, featuring reptiles, horses, parrots, rabbits, insects, crafts, games, and unforgettable experiences.

 

“My daughter was so happy at the end of each day. She loved the animals.” — Kristin G.

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Summer Critter Camp
Camp FAQ
Camps Offered

Critter Camp At A Glance

  • Ages: Preschool–6th grade
    • 7th–8th grade available during select Summer Critter Camp weeks only
    • Must be at least 4 years old
 
  • Hours: 9:00am–3:00pm
    • Extended Care: Early drop-off at 8:00am and/or extended day to 5:00pm available for an additional fee
 
  • Flexible registration: Daily and weekly registration options available
 
  • Location: Humane Education Campus at Helen Woodward Animal Center, near San Diego.
    • 6447 Helen Woodward Way, Rancho Santa Fe CA 92067
 
  • Hands-on animal encounters every day with species like horses, sheep, goats, snakes, lizards, reptiles, rabbits, guinea pigs, parrots, and insects.
 
  • Indoor & outdoor activities including themed crafts, educational activities, and team-building games.
Children kneeling around a sheep

Why Families Choose Critter Camp

Critter Camp is more than a day camp. It is an animal-filled experience where kids can explore, create, play, and learn in a safe, engaging environment that promotes compassion for all.

Kids standing around a pony at critter camp

“My kids had such a great time, and as a parent, I felt completely at ease leaving them there. The check-in and check-out process was incredibly efficient, and the staff made sure every child knew exactly where to go. It was clear that the team cared deeply about the kids' safety and experience. Highly recommend! This has been one of the most well run camps we’ve done. My kids were so excited to go every morning!” 

Christine C.

child kneeling beside a sheep with his arm over the sheeps back

“My son had the best time at Critter Camp and said it was a 10 out of 10! The program was extremely organized, ran smoothly with professional staff, very safe and secure, lesson plans each day were thorough, and many hands on activities and viewing animals each day were engaging and fun!”

Cynthia V.

“My daughter loves this camp so much. She is enthusiastic every day to go and comes home excited to share all the animals she met, their names, and what she learned. Normally she does not like educational camps but this is the perfect balance. Thank you!!!”

Emily B.

Group of children looking at a guinea pig

“The facilities are wonderful and my son REALLY enjoyed the camp. Registration is easy. I love the extra AM/PM hours as an option and although we didn't use it the option to have lunch provided is so appreciated.”

Sally S.

group of children and a camp instructor interacting with a sheep

“My kids really enjoyed interacting with the animals. They were very happy attending the camp. Everything was very well organized. And the staff were very friendly.”

Vanessa N.

“This was perfect for my 9 yr old and 5 yr old. The drop off and pick up process was easy and made life easier. My children loved all the volunteers and grew close to some of them during their week there.”

Jen S.

“Yes I would absolutely recommend it to animal lovers! Overall the program was worth it as my son loved spending time caring for, interacting with, and learning about all of the animals :)”

Emileo O.

Children sitting on a floor holding a python snake

“It was lots of fun. It's difficult to find worthwhile camps for older children. This camp was educational and fun, my daughter really enjoyed her time.”

Aaron A.

Children playing on a playground at critter camp

“AM & PM aftercare options are very helpful. Pick up/Drop off is very organized. Impressed by the organized staff and number of volunteer support.”

Amisha P.

Group of children, child in the middle holding a Gecko

“I actually grew up going to Critter Camp and was so excited for my daughter to go. We will be coming back and love the camp and animal center dearly.”

Olivia P.

Campers enjoy:

  • Up-close experiences with multiple animal ambassadors
  • Themed crafts, team-building games, and interactive activities all meant to inspire
  • Age-based camp groups
  • Indoor and outdoor play spaces including habitat-themed rooms and playgrounds
  • Daily opportunities to learn about kindness, empathy, and responsible animal care
  • A new adventure each day school is out
  • Meet the Staff at Critter Camp

Whether your child loves reptiles or rabbits, horses or insects, birds or all animals, Critter Camp helps turn that curiosity into meaningful connection.

Meet Our Animal Ambassadors

  • Campers meet a wide variety of animal ambassadors during Critter Camp, from feathered and furry friends to scaly and surprising species.
  • Animal assignments vary depending on the day’s theme, but campers may meet animals such as parrots, rabbits, snakes, horses, insects, chinchillas. lizards, goats, tortoises, sheep, and more.

Our Humane Education Campus

  • Critter Camp takes place at our Humane Education Campus, designed to give children a fun, safe, and inspiring place to learn about animals.
  • Campers spend their day in:
    • Spacious indoor event rooms for snacks, lunch, belongings, and group activities
    • Habitat-themed classrooms for animal encounters and immersive activities that encourage curiosity about animals and the natural world
    • Outdoor presentation areas for select animal experiences
    • Themed playgrounds designed for age-appropriate outdoor fun
  • Whether campers are joining us for summer, winter, spring, or a different school-break, the campus helps create a hands-on and memorable camp experience.
Playground
Playground
Playground
Playground
Playground
Lunchroom
Classroom
Classroom
Classroom
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Upcoming San Diego Critter Camps

Summer Critter Camp

  • Summer Critter Camp runs June 1–August 21, 2026 with weekly themes, animal time, crafts, activities, games, and more.
  • Weekly campers receive a free Critter Camp shirt.
  • Summer Critter Camp is also the only Critter Camp season with select 7th–8th Grade weeks. These older camper weeks focus on animal careers and leadership skills.
  • 2026 Summer Themes
    • Amazing Animal Athletes – Odd Weeks
      • From the stunning speed of a rabbit to the brave balancing act of a bearded dragon, campers explore the incredible abilities that help animals survive, thrive, and “perform” in the wild.
    • Bioscience and Beyond – Even Weeks
      • Campers discover how wildlife has inspired technology, design, science, and human innovation.
    • Critter Careers – Select 7th–8th Grade Weeks
      • Older campers explore animal-related careers, assist with age-appropriate animal care activities, meet professionals, and build leadership skills.
  1.  
Register Now for Summer

Fall Critter Camp

  • Fall Critter Camp focuses on animal communication, food chains, predator-prey relationships, and the bond between people and animals.

Thanksgiving Critter Camp

  • This three-day Thanksgiving break Critter Camp explores animal connections, appreciation for all creatures, and how seasonal changes affect animal diets and behaviors.
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Winter Critter Camp

  • Winter Critter Camp explores how animals survive cold weather, including migration, adaptation, and other winter survival strategies.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Critter Camp

February Critter Camp

  • This week-long Presidents’ Day February Critter Camp explores how animals communicate, build relationships, and adapt to their environments while encouraging empathy and conservation.

Spring Critter Camp

  • Spring Critter Camp celebrates the season of renewal through animal senses, eating habits, parenting styles, and compassionate relationships with animals and the planet.
kid kneeling beside a goat

Camp Details

We offer daily registration, but for camps that run an entire week, you can sign up for the whole week with a better rate! Please pay close attention to the text for the dates you sign up for to ensure you’re selecting the option you want.

  • Daily registration: a single day which applies the daily rate, regardless of how many days you register for. Allows flexibility to fit your schedule needs! Not available for 7th-8th grade classes during summer.
  • Weekly registration: a single week which applies the weekly rate, but we do not prorate or transfer credits if you don’t attend all the days of that week. Best value option and over Summer Critter Camp weekly campers receive a free t-shirt!

 Preschool – 8th Grade

  • 9:00am – 3:00pm
  • Extended Care option: Early drop-off at 8:00am and/or extended day to 5:00pm available for an additional fee, per day.
  • All campers must be at least 4 years old and able to use the bathroom independently
  • Most Critter Camps only go up to 6th Only Summer Critter Camp offers a camp for 7th-8th graders on select weeks! Their theme is the same each week and different from the weekly themes the other grades follow.

 Discounts

  • 15% off camp tuition for active military. Call us at 858-756-4117 ext. 406 for the coupon code.
  • Your child may be eligible for a scholarship! Please visit our website by clicking here to find out more. 

Your camp fee may provide a partial tax credit, check with your tax professional to see if you qualify!

Details

  • All campers must be able to use the restroom confidently and on their own.
  • Must be at least 5 years old to pet reptiles.
  • Animals assigned to a theme may vary depending on animal health, safety, and availability.
  • Please provide your child with a snack and water bottle each day.
  • Lunch can be purchased for an additional fee, per child, per day, before 9:30am. It includes a main entrée and two sides. 
  • We know that camp sounds fun for kids and adults, but this camp is for kids only! Aides are suggested for camp if your child regularly works with one. Camp has frequent transitions that may make an aide more necessary during camp than at school. All aides must be fingerprinted through Helen Woodward Animal Center in order to attend camp. Please call us at 858-756-4117 ext. 406 so that we can help them complete the fingerprint process. It may take up to 7 days to receive fingerprinting results.
Three girls smiling at the camera wearing Critter Camp shirts.

Critter Camp Frequently Asked Questions

AUTHORIZED PICK UP & ID CHECKING
  • For safety purposes we do not release children at pick up time to anyone not listed on the “authorized to pick up” list. We check ID daily at checkout time.
  • To add someone to the authorized list, we must confirm you are one of the parents/guardians and then we can add any additional names, or you can log into your account and add more in yourself.
MAKING SURE CHILDREN ARE IN THE SAME GROUP
  • During registration there is a section for “my child would like to be in the same class as” and that is where you should add the first and last names of other children to group with, if any. We group children into classes by grade level first; if we have multiple classes of the same grade level then we’ll pair requests together.
  • We generally group classes as follows: PreK/Preschool, Kinder, 1st-2nd, 3rd-4th, 5th-6th, 7th-8th. Depending on registrations for each grade level we may combine nearby grade levels into one class, such as a Kinder-2nd class.
  • We only move older children down into the younger groups.
  • If you need your child with another child regardless of grade level, please contact the office by email or phone to escalate your request to a need. Please do this before the start of the camp week you’re attending so that it can be taken care of prior to the start of grouping for that week.
EXTENDED CARE
  • You can add extended care as late as day of by contacting the office about adding it at any time, or sign into your account and add it yourself. Extended care includes AM Care (early drop off) and PM Care (extended pick up).
  • AM Care is 8:00-8:45am. Children will mostly free play with camp staff supervision.
  • PM Care is 3:15-5:00pm. Children will do a craft or activity, help check on our outdoor animals for the night’s close, and free play under the supervision of camp staff. It is advised to pack extra snacks so your child has food for this time.
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CAMP LUNCH
  • You can add lunch as late as morning of, as long as you do it before 9:30am when the lunch order is placed. Camp lunch includes an entrée and two sides.
  • You can contact the office about adding it day of or sign into your account and add it yourself (but please only add it yourself if its 24 hours’ notice otherwise it may be missed – we print rosters each morning at 8am).
CAMP SCHEDULE
  • Campers rotate locations and activities every 20-40 min (10-40 min for PreK). They meet 5 different animals and those presentations and interactions are dispersed throughout the morning primarily. Campers typically do a class activity before lunch, then after lunch the campers make a craft and play a multi-class game.
  • 8:45-9:15: check in period, campers free play in one of the designated playgrounds based on age, class color, and overall camp size.
  • 9:15-9:30: circle up with the class to discuss the day, camp rules, and icebreakers.
  • 10-11:10: staggered snack periods. 20 min for snack, 10 min to free play if done eating.
  • 11:20-1:10: staggered lunch periods. 30 min to eat, 10 min to free play if done eating.
  • 2:45-3:15: check out period, campers stay circled up with their class and play quiet games.
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CANCELLATION POLICY
  • Please stay home if a member of your household is sick. We can transfer registrations that haven’t started to another day, if that day has room, for any purpose. Communicate with us about child’s illness and we can discuss the cancellation policy allowances.
  • Daily registrants: If you need to cancel and provide more than 24 hours’ notice to the start of the camp day, we can refund you with a $10 cancellation fee per day.
  • Weekly registrants: If you need to cancel and provide more than 24 hours’ notice to the start of the camp week, we can refund you with a $50 cancellation fee per week.
  • If you need to cancel with less than 24 hours’ notice to the start of the day for daily registrants or the start of the week for weekly registrants you will not receive a refund.

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 education@animalcenter.org or 858-756-4117 ext. 406

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!