Summer Critter Camp 2021

 Activities will be similar to the following and may include:

1. Interact with a rabbit and discover how their movement is unique, letting them travel in awesome ways helpful for exploring!
2. Learn about Adoptions and the journey that adoptable pets go through to find their forever home.
3. Pet a chinchilla to identify why they would be considered a rare treasure – hint: it has to do with their fur density.
4. All good adventurers prepare themselves for a journey with helpful tools and items. Encounter a goat and see how they can use their horns for protections wherever they go.
5. Learn about the rainforest of Madagascar as you hold a hissing cockroach.
6. Explorers rely on their keen sense of direction during journeys in an unknown place. Greet and pet a dog while you learn about their superior senses that could be invaluable.
7. What destination would you want to travel to? Would it be a long voyage? Find out how our feathered friends travel and survive in different climates while a bird perches on you! 
8. Stroke the spikes of a bearded dragon if you dare! They might look dangerous, but it’s all part of their adventure wardrobe to keep predators away and looks worse than it feels. 
9. Teamwork is a crucial part of a successful adventure. Discover how guinea pigs use it to survive in their wild homelands. 
10. A popular treasure to hunt for is the fountain of youth… could a lizard be a link to regenerative abilities? Find out when you handle a leopard gecko!
11. How can an animal travel with dozens of legs? Find out when you meet a millipede.
12. Seek out hidden clues and uncover secret treasures during a scavenger hunt.

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

This is not a full list of the animals that campers will interact with during the week – they will meet the majority of the species that are a part of the education department.

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 sort of mystical realm they’re associated with and imagine wandering through that place 
3. Feel the soft feathers of a duck and find out how they seem to cast a semi-aquatic spell that helps them travel on land, water, and in the air! 
4. Does a large parrot actually speak, or is it just an illusion? Learn the answer when you meet these birds.  
5. Interact with an African ball python snake and see why they don’t need an invisibility cloak to hide from danger. 
6. Meet and feed our charming chickens, do you know what mystical beast they resemble?
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 what kind of potions you could brew with their help, because some of their natural defense mechanisms almost seem like magic! 
9. Pet a dog 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 their fiber can transform into as if they could cast a warmth spell.  
12. Learn how powerful words can be as we discuss the various ways that we can be a voice for animals. 

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

This is not a full list of the animals that campers will interact with during the week – they will meet the majority of the species that are a part of the education department.

• Groups will have a maximum of 8 campers with two staff members, and the different groups will be kept separate at all times. 
• We will check temperatures and give a short health questionnaire at check-in. Please keep your child out of the direct sunlight or warm environments to avoid incorrectly high temperature readings. 
• Masks are required and must be worn at all times. Please ensure that everyone wears a mask during check-in and check-out (excluding children under the age of 2). 
• No activities will involve running or too much movement. 
• We will go over proper hygiene each day. 
• We will maintain 6 ft. distance whenever possible. 
• Staff will facilitate the animal interactions with each child, one at a time. 
• Campers will be given hand sanitizer directly before and after each animal interaction. We will encourage routine and thorough hand-washing as well, which will always be done before snack and lunch. 
• We will clean and disinfect all areas daily.  
• Please refrain from sending your kids if they have a fever or display symptoms like coughing, sore throat or headache. 

       **Protocols are subject to change.

“Perfect for animal loving kids and I was happy about the COVID 19 related safety measures like small group size, mask wearing and socially distancing.” ~ Linda M.

“This was the best summer camp of his summer. He is wondering why he has to go to kindergarten – he’d rather spend all year in Critter Camp. Thanks so much.” ~ Dana G.

“My son had a great week! He was excited to go to camp every day and came home talking about what he learned and did. He loved his counselor and told me she was the best counselor he ever had at camp. He said he wanted to go back for 2 weeks next year!” ~ Jaimee S. 

“My kids have not been in camp for over a year. They relished being part of a community outside of home and getting to interact with and learn about different animals. Best of all, the outdoor environment and clear social distancing procedures made me feel like this was a far safer and engaging camp for kids than other alternatives during Covid.” ~ Susan S.

“My kids loved how hands-on it was and I loved how easy the drop off/pick up was. I also loved how the camp was simple for the parents (no asking to put the kids in a certain color shirt each day or pack different clothes, etc.)” ~ Sarah S. 

“I especially liked the questions/answers that were provided in the parent information e-mail before camp started. Each day on the ride home, I asked the kids the questions of the day and they were able to answer with lots of details and additional facts. They were excited to share and I was impressed!” ~ Courtney E.   

“This is a great program, so fun and we love that it’s educational as well. We learn a lot as parents too because our kids can’t stop talking about the animals and everything they learned. Great job!” ~ Sarah L.

“Thank you for sharing your outstanding resources with our community and for providing an excellent educational experience for my son…. He loved it, and he looks forward to future camps at the animal center.” ~ Jaquelin D.