Summer Critter Camp 2017

Activities will be similar to the following and may include:

1. Interact with a rabbit and discover their cunning ability to avoid predators.
2. Visit Adoptions and learn about the journey that adoptable pets go through to find their forever home.
3. Pet an alpaca and identify the differences between the way we get around and the way these unique animals do.
4. Meet a box turtle and see how they can use their shells as a secret hideaway.
5. Learn about the rain forest of Madagascar as you hold a hissing cockroach.
6. Explorers rely on their keen sense of direction during journeys in unknown places. Meet and pet a dog while you learn about their superior senses.
7. What snacks would you pack for a long voyage? Find out what our feathered friends like to feast on while a bird perches on your toes!
8. Participate in a guinea pig playgroup as you decode their cryptic communication.
9. Teamwork is a crucial part of a successful adventure. Interact with a chinchilla as we discuss how animals help people and how people can help animals.
10. How can an animal travel without any legs? Find out when you meet a snake.
11. Horses used to be one of the main modes of transportation for explorers. Find out what else these amazing animals can do as you walk or groom a miniature horse.
12. Seek out hidden clues and uncover secret treasures during a scavenger hunt.
13. Get up close to beautiful exotic birds brought to camp by Avian Behavior International (every Friday for Grades K-8.)

Species may vary depending on animal health, safety and availability.
Must be at least 5-years-old to pet reptiles.

Activities will be similar to the following and may include:

1. You will discover that animals really do have healing powers when you learn about our Pet Encounter Therapy program.
2. Take our sheep on a walk as you discover what their wool can transform into and their amazing ability to make food disappear!
3. Feel the soft feathers of a dove and find out what makes them so good at flying.
4. Do a skink’s blue tongue and a bearded dragon’s spikes mean they are dangerous? Or are they just an illusion? Learn the answer when you meet these reptiles.
5. Interact with a Vietnamese walking stick and see why they don’t need an invisibility cloak to hide from danger.
6. Meet and feed our charming chickens.
7. Master the art of conjuring up crafts and working as a team as you participate in games.
8. Get up close to a frog and discover the amazing adaptations that allow them to see in all directions and absorb water instead drinking it!
9. Pet a cat and learn how to read their behavior, which can sometimes seem mysterious.
10. Interact with a miniature horse and find out why these fantastic creatures often appear in mythological stories and art.
11. Animals have some awesome abilities that allow them to thrive in their natural habitat. Meet an alpaca and learn what life is like in their world.
12. Learn how powerful words can be as we discuss the various ways that we can be a voice for animals.
13. Get up close to beautiful exotic birds brought to camp by Avian Behavior International (every Friday for Grades K-8.)

Species may vary depending on animal health, safety and availability.
Must be at least 5-years-old to pet reptiles.

Activities will be similar to the following and may include:

1. Earn 5 hours of community service by participating in a full week of camp.
2. Care for, feed and interact with barn animals such as sheep, alpacas and chickens.
3. Meet professionals in the animal industry and learn about the various career options you can pursue if you hope to work with animals one day.
4. Care for, feed and interact with exotic pets such as parrots, rabbits, bearded dragons, turtles, tortoises and guinea pigs.
5. View amazing demonstrations of the healing technique called Reiki (weeks 1, 2, 5, 6) and dog agility (weeks 2, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12),  as well as the abilities of a K9 member of the San Diego Police Department (all 12 weeks.)
6. Visit Therapeutic Riding to see how the horses help people strengthen their motor skills and sharpen their cognitive abilities.
7. You will have a rare opportunity to participate in a chinchilla playgroup where you will observe their behavior and help them feel comfortable around people.
8. Assist our barn staff with various tasks such as taking animals for a walk and bathing a miniature horse!
9. Help plan and lead Critter Camp activities for grades Preschool–4.
10. Learn about Pet Encounter Therapy and interact with some of our therapy animals.
11. Help socialize our Education animals and learn how to animal handle like a Critter Camp instructor.
12. Make crafts, play fun games, make new friends and experience hands-on interactions with tons of animals!
13. Tour the Equine Hospital and Adoptions department and learn about the different aspects of animal care.
14. Get up close to beautiful exotic birds brought to camp by Avian Behavior International (every Friday for Grades K-8.)

Species may vary depending on animal health, safety and availability.