What time should I arrive?

Camp runs from Monday through Friday, from 9:00am to 3:00pm. Please arrive no earlier than 8:50am and plan to be picked up no later than 3:10pm. It is very important that campers be picked up on time because we do not have facilities or staff to supervise children after camp is over.

Where does camp happen?

Camp takes place on the Animal Services Campus on 7th avenue because the SPCA is too small. Because Animal Services and SPCA are two different shelters and they are nice enough to let us use their space we must respect the rules set forth by the Animal Services staff. We do not want to impact their ability to do their job of helping clients and caring for the animals.

Do I need to be there every day?

We hope so! Some camp activities will build on ones from previous days, so you might miss out on something important if you miss too much time. If you need to miss a day, just let us know.

What will we do during the week?

Animals, animals, animals! We’ll talk about many different kinds of animals and how we relate to them in our world. We will do a variety of activities, crafts, projects, and games. We will also have some interesting guest speakers and a few walking field trips.

Will we get to meet any real animals?

Yes! You will certainly meet cats and dogs at camp. You will get a chance to hang out with shelter animals and give them some TLC (Tender Loving Care). We will have some other animal visitors too, such as farm animals, wild animals and small domestic animals.

What should I bring with me?

Bring a lunch and something to drink every day. You can also bring a plastic bottle for water that you can refill if you get thirsty. We will walk to Green Acres School Playground next door for lunches on occasion. If you need to have medications with you during camp, please let us know.

What should I wear?

You should wear comfortable clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty. You never know when a dog will drool on you or a cat will shed some fur on your shirt. Please wear close toed shoes as well.

Can I adopt an animal during camp?

You cannot adopt an animal during your camp session. It is easy to become attached to animals during camp before you and your families have had a chance to thoroughly think it over. We would be happy to have you come back and visit the animals that are up for adoption after your camp session is over.

Will I be caring for any animals during Camp?

Taking care of shelter animals is the responsibility of shelter staff. However, we may have shelter visitors staying with us from time to time that we can help keep clean, fed and comfortable.

Another year of summer camp is successfully completed and already I need to jump into the fall school session!  This year’s summer camp was the most popular in that it filled up the fastest and had the longest waiting lists of any camp I have done while at the SPCA.  I allowed a few more campers into each session to try and accommodate as many kids as possible.  Since I only had one paid person, Tess Morrison, to help me with all four weeks I put out an all call to our volunteer force for help.  I was very lucky to have the help of Jen Walker who, along with her Delta dog Moon, volunteered full time for three of the four weeks.  I also received additional help from three wonderful volunteers, Mari, Carleen and Tess’s sister Quinn.

The Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter was extremely kind and helpful to me, giving campers a tour every week and allowing us to move around the shelter freely each day.  Campers chose a shelter animal to advocate for during their week at camp.  They would check on them each day, take them out of their kennels for TLC time, make them toys and treats and an adoption sign to draw attention to them.  Many of these animals were adopted while campers were still in camp.  Although they were initially sad that they wouldn’t see them anymore, we talked about how wonderful it was that they had found a home and that the camper may have helped that happen.  This is by far the favorite part of camp for all the campers.  It helps them connect with not only the animal but the shelter as well and what goes on there every day.

We had many visitors with animals come and talk to the kids as well.  I would like to thank Cynthia Edgerly from Bingo Dog Training, George Deleon from Animal Services Animal Control, the Sheriff’s K-9 Unit, Rabbit Haven, Vigne Farms, JP Novic from CAPE and the Bat Conservation Fund.  I also owe a huge thank you to Tess Morrison and her cousin, Camper Flynn Cutter for sharing their Corgi, Hot dog, their two guinea pigs and their Ball Python.

Year after year our Kids Camp proves that when you mix up enthusiastic, animal-loving kids and enthusiastic, rescued animals in need of some TLC you get a truly awesome week-long experience! 

This year for the months of July and August we brought 16 kids together for a week at a time and did nothing but talk about, play with, do community service for, and learn about the animals in our community and our environment.  Luckily we weren't ever without an animal to love, play with, and take care of thanks to our camp dog, Sixer, and our camp rats, Dora and Chickie.   We even had weekly visits from Ginger the dog and various adoptable kittens and puppies from the SPCA.  They all got tons of attention and played a vital role in this learning process!

Over the span of 4 weeks, 64 kids campers made over 10 pounds of dog biscuits,  200 cat toys, 75 artful and persuasive kennel signs, and made at least 100 shelter animals very, very happy!  Each day of the week we focused on different types of animals and roles that they play in our lives and  communities with a focus on service learning, compassion and empathy, and fun!

Mondays we dedicated to shelter animals and rescue and kids got to pick an animal at the Santa Cruz County Animal Services shelter to follow and play with all week.  Thanks to the Animal Services Staff, especially Tricia and Juanita, as well as to Animal Control Officer George DeLeon and Otto!    Tuesdays we focused on working dogs and cats and the vital role that they play in assisting us in work and play, rescuing us in disaster, heal from injuries and disabilities, and overall make our lives better.  Thanks Chantal and amazing Scout with Monterey Bay Search and Rescue, Mardi Mariette and Mia the therapy team, and Cynthia Edgerly from BINGO Dog Training with Tykie the trickster extraordinaire!  Wednesdays we learned about many of the common small animals that we share our lives with and talked a lot about compassion, empathy, and the commitment to care that these animals need.  Thanks to Nannette Hardin with Otis the tortoise and Shamrock and Blarney the Guinea Pigs as well as Cindy with Rabbit Haven and her two rabbits Chloe and D'Artagnan.   Thursdays we focused on farm animals and livestock and what we can do to make their lives better.  Thanks to JP and Zoe Novic of the Center for Animal Protection and Education (CAPE) for bringing Butch the dog and Helen, the coolest turkey.  Fridays we dedicated to wild and ocean dwelling animals and the important role that environmental awareness must take in all our lives. Thanks to Monique Smith Lee and her bats from the Bat Conservation Fund and to Save Our Shores and the various docents who made great presentations. And finally, thanks to Agatha of Animal Hospital of Soquel for the weekly tours!

A great big thanks to ALL the staff and volunteers who tirelessly work to caretake the homeless animals in Santa Cruz.   Animal Services staff were nothing but gracious in letting us invade the shelter each morning.  What great dogs and cats we got to play with, too!  Our campers unanimously voted that the shelter time was the best part of camp.

Please take a moment to browse our photos of campers, animals and the great time we've had bringing kids and animals together!

To a great Kids Camp 2011!

All my very best,

Katy Gaty-Delia

Humane Educator

Santa Cruz SPCA