Dogs are our loyal companions, but the human-canine bond isn’t often taught in schools. Dog welfare organizations offer valuable educational workshops, but time constraints often prevent them from fully exploring important topics.
Summer and school break camps offer a great alternative, providing kids with hands-on experience working with dogs and learning about animal welfare. These camps are becoming increasingly popular, covering topics from junior vet experiences to animal care. They also benefit working parents and help shelters develop future volunteers and staff.
See also: A Global List of Humane Education Initiatives for Children and Youth
Ready to start your own program? Check out these examples of successful youth education camps for inspiration.
Education Camps for Children & Youth
A sample list of education camps for children & youth provided by dog welfare organizations, by country.
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
C
Canada
BC SPCA – Spring Break and Summer Camp
The BC SPCA offers a variety of educational opportunities, including one-day specialty workshops providing behind-the-scenes glimpses into their work, and both in-person and virtual summer camps.
The Humane Society of Kitchener, Waterloo & Stratford Perth – March Break Camp
For children ages 6-11, this week-long camp includes a facility tour, animal interactions (when possible), up to two daily educational presentations, games, and crafts.
The Humane Society of Kitchener, Waterloo & Stratford Perth – PD Day Camp
For children ages 6-12, these day programs include a facility tour, animal interactions (when possible), two educational presentations, and engaging games.
The Humane Society of Kitchener, Waterloo & Stratford Perth – Summer Camp
Each summer camp week features the opportunities to meet animals, animal-themed games and activities, guest speakers, educational activities, and crafts.
I
Ireland
DSPCA – Kids Camps
Throughout the week, children participate in various activities, including arts and crafts, baking, slime making, nature walks and hunts. The DSPCA also incorporates educational presentations on responsible dog ownership, animal care, safety, and welfare. Campers may also meet some of the shelter animals (subject to availability and veterinary approval).
U
United States (USA)
Animal Humane Society – School Break Camps
Students spend time immersed in animal-related activities at one of the organization’s three shelter locations. Each camp features animal-themed educational activities, including games, crafts, and animal interactions.
Animal Humane Society – Summer Camps
Two summer camps are offered: AHS Shelter Explorer (focusing on reading animal body language and animal-related crafts) and Animal Arts Adventure (featuring daily animal-themed arts activities).
Brandywine Valley SPCA – Bootcamp
The Bootcamp (ages 13-15) delves into animal behavior, shelter operations, and animal welfare, preparing participants to volunteer independently.
Brandywine Valley SPCA – Critter Camp
Critter Camp (ages 7-12) teaches pet CPR, explores animal careers, covers behavioral training, features guest speakers (in person and via video conference), and introduces adoptable pets.
Capital Humane Society – Camp Humane Heroes
The camp provides hands-on experiences in safe animal interactions, responsible pet ownership, and compassion.
Central California SPCA – Pawsitive Adventures Animal Camp
CCSPCA offers two camps. The 5-day Pawsitive Adventures Camp (ages 8-13), featuring animal interactions, crafts, and pet care presentations.
Central California SPCA – Veterinarian Animal Science Exploration Camp
CCSPCA’s 3-day Veterinary Science Exploration Camp (ages 14-17), led by professionals, providing hands-on veterinary experience.
East Bay SPCA – Program for Teens
Teens can gain valuable experience working with children and animals at East Bay SPCA camps through the Counselor-in-Training (CIT) and Youth Program Assistant (YPA) positions.
East Bay SPCA – Summer Animal Camps
East Bay SPCA offers a variety of summer animal camps, with each focusing on different topics like deaf/hard of hearing animals, junior vet, animal care, humane heroes, and canine training. Scholarships are available.
East Bay SPCA – School Break Animal Camps
Tales for Tails is a joint program between the MSPCA and Centerville Public Library that encourages reading and volunteering among youth (ages 6-12) while providing socialization for shelter animals.
Houston SPCA – Critter Camp
In-person camps offer week-long adventures like Vet Camp, Animal Rescue and Forensics, and Jr. Pet Pals. These camps include daily interactions with adoptable pets, as some of the animals benefit from the socialization.
New Hampshire SPCA – Future Vets Camp
During February vacation week, this two-day camp explores veterinary science, including a clinic tour, talks with the vet team, and activities focused on first aid, medical care, nutrition, and wellness.
New Hampshire SPCA – We LOVE Animal Nights
The New Hampshire SPCA offered a special Valentine’s Day program for children ages 7-11, providing parents with two hours of respite.
Oregon Humane Society – Summer Camps
Camp programming provides children with age-appropriate instruction on animal welfare topics. Daily activities include hands-on interactions with shelter animals, educational games, arts and crafts projects, guest speakers, and other engaging experiences.
Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA – Animal Camp
This camp teaches students about the benefits of pets and fosters compassion for local wildlife. Children experience daily animal interactions with various species, including small mammals, reptiles, dogs, and cats. Activities include art projects, games, and creating enrichment toys for the animals.
Roanoke Valley SPCA – Veterinary Summer Camp
The Roanoke Valley SPCA Summer Camps offer exciting opportunities for children to explore animal-related careers. The Animal Care Adventures Camp is designed for 4th-6th graders, while the Veterinary Science Camp is perfect for 7th-10th graders.
Richmond SPCA – Compassion Unleashed Critter Camp
Week-long day camps are offered throughout the summer at the humane center, featuring themes such as Creative Cats, Pawsome Pups, Future Vet Explorers, Kids & K9s, and Voices for Animals. All sessions include daily animal interactions.
Santa Cruz SPCA – Camps
The Santa Cruz SPCA hosts camps in spring, summer, and winter, offering campers the chance to learn about and interact with a variety of animals, including shelter residents and other special guests.
SPCA Florida – Critter Camp
Students learn to care for rescue pets, build bonds through playtime and training, and help prepare animals for adoption. Activities range from crafting toys and treats to participating in outdoor teamwork challenges, all designed to inspire compassion and connection.
spcaLA – Friends for Life Camp
SPCA LA’s Friends for Life Camp is a week-long day camp for 9-14 year olds. Campers learn about pet care, animal responsibility, and basic dog training while making friends. Children enjoy animal-related activities, learn basic animal handling and dog training, and work with shelter pets on dog obedience, agility, and cat socialization.
SPCA of Northern Nevada – Youth Summer Camp
Expert staff and trained volunteers lead camp activities, covering topics such as interpreting dog and cat behavior, training dogs and cats, pet health and safety, how staff assist animals in need, and the work of veterinarians. Campers also participate in making treats for the pets, crafting special kennel cards, going on scavenger hunts, and spending one-on-one time with the veterinarians and clinic team.
SPCA Serving Erie County
The SPCA offers a variety of kindness camps during school breaks and summer, covering topics like veterinary medicine, animal arts, cats, and general animal care.
SPCA Westchester – Camp Critter and Camp Hero
SPCA Westchester offers two camp programs: Camp Critter, a week-long experience featuring discussions on animal care basics, animal interaction time, crafts, and storytelling; and Camp Hero, which explores the unique challenges animals face and empowers children to discover how they can help.