Animal Camp

Spend a week with the Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA for an animal-themed summer camp! Well learn how pets can benefit our lives and instill compassion for local wildlife. Children will experience daily animal interactions as they get up close and personal with various species including small mammals, reptiles, dogs, and cats. We will also explore our wildlife center and observe wild animals being rehabilitated. Camp activities include art projects, games, making enrichment toys for our animals, and so much more. Campers will spend time with domestic and exotic animals while learning about the responsibilities of sharing their lives with pets and essential animal welfare issues.

Animal Camp sessions for 2024:

June 3-7 for 8–10-year-olds
June 10-14 for 8–10-year-olds: Session Full
June 24-28 for 8–10-year-olds: Session Full
July 8-12 for 11–13-year-olds: Session Full
July 15-19 for 11–13-year-olds: Session Full

Camp runs from 9:00 am-2:30 pm.  We are not able to offer extended care prior to or after camp hours.

Animal Camp registration
For people who were unable to register for camp on March 1 please fill out this form: Animal Camp 2024 waitlist

Want to learn more about Animal Camp? Contact our Humane Educator at [email protected] or 650-340-7022 x369.

Animal Camp FAQs

What sessions are offered for summer 2024?

June 3-7 for 8–10-year-olds
June 10-14 for 8–10-year-olds
June 24-28 for 8–10-year-olds
July 8-12 for 11–13-year-olds
July 15-19 for 11–13-year-olds

What is the camp fee?

There is a $425 camp fee per child.

Can I register my child for more than one week of Animal Camp?

Sorry, no. Due to high demand we try to allow as many children as possible attend Animal Camp. Since each week of camp has the same curriculum, your child would not be gaining new experiences by attending more than one session.

My child attended Animal Camp in the past, can I sign them up to attend again this year?

Sorry, no. Due to high demand and long waitlists, we prioritize allowing new children to experience Animal Camp each year. However, we are happy to add your name to the backup list and if space is available in the weeks prior to camp, we occasionally draw from that list and allow previous campers to attend again. If you would like to add your name to this list, email our Humane Educator at [email protected].

What are the age requirements to attend Animal Camp?
We offer camp sessions for two different age groups, 8-10 years old and 11-13 years old. While the curriculum for both age groups is similar, speaking points and activities are tailored to be age appropriate. Therefore, it is important for the structure of our program and the experience of the students that campers of similar age be grouped together and we are unable to make exceptions to age requirements.
Where is Animal Camp hosted?

Camp is held at our Lantos Center for Compassion at 1450 Rollins Rd, Burlingame, 94010. Please don’t confuse this with our other shelter location in San Mateo. Camp is hosted in the Multipurpose Room which has an entrance on Edwards Court closest to Rollins Road where you can enter to sign your child in each morning. The side door will be propped open by 8:50am, all other doors will be locked.

What is the timeframe of Animal Camp?

Camp starts at 9:00am and ends at 2:30pm. We are unable to offer extended childcare prior to or after camp hours. Please drop off your child no earlier than 8:50am and pick them up no later than 2:40pm.

What should or shouldn’t my child bring to Animal Camp?

Your child needs to bring a lunch and water bottle to camp each day. We provide vegan snacks each afternoon if safety regulations surrounding COVID-19 allow us to do so. In addition, sunscreen and a warm layer such as a sweatshirt are beneficial. The shelter dress code requires campers wear long pants and close-toed shoes to safely interact with animals. Please don’t allow your child to wear shorts or sandals. Cell phones are permitted so long as your child uses it appropriately. We are not responsible for lost, stolen or broken devices. Your child is not allowed to bring their own pet to Animal Camp. Please do not bring your pet to pick up or drop off your child at camp.

Do you have guidelines regarding allergies and/or medications at Animal Camp?

It is common for children with mild animal allergies to attend camp. However, it’s important that parents let camp staff know in advance so we can plan for how your child will manage animal interactions and symptoms of their allergies. Call our Humane Educator to discuss your child’s allergies at 650-340-7022 x369.

Lunch is eaten outdoors on a sunny patio that has native flowers blooming and occasionally bees are  present.

If your child has food sensitivities or food allergies, please pack them their own snack each day (in addition to their lunch).

Please be aware that we are NOT a peanut-free facility and while campers never come in contact with peanuts during camp, peanut products are regularly used at our shelter.

Only medication for serious and life-threatening conditions may be brought to camp. Campers that need to take medication at camp are required to self-administer their own medication, including EpiPens. However, camp staff are happy to assist children with minor cuts, bruises, scratches, and so forth.

Is this camp suitable for children with disabilities?

Absolutely! In many cases we can accommodate campers with disabilities. If your child has a disability and you want to sign them up for Animal Camp, please call our Humane Educator at 650-340-7022 x369, prior to registration day (March 1st) to discuss whether this camp is the right fit for your child, as well as how we can accommodate your child and make sure they have a positive experience at Animal Camp.

What is your cancellation policy?

Our cancellation policy provides a refund of the camp fee minus a $25 processing charge if we are notified at least four weeks before the session starts; a 50% refund if notified at least three weeks before; and no refund with less than three weeks’ notice.

What does a typical day at Animal Camp look like and how much time will my child spend interacting with animals?

Children will meet many animal species throughout the week. Some species, such as wildlife, campers can see and learn about, but won’t interact with. Each day we will focus on a different species or class of animals. Monday: exotics, Tuesday: small animals, Wednesday: dogs, Thursday: cats, Friday: wildlife. Every day we will make enrichment toys for the shelter animals and/or wildlife plus an art project centered around the animal we are learning about that day.

Regarding animal interactions, most commonly volunteers and staff members bring their own pets to meet campers since these animals have been approved in advance, are well socialized, and comfortable interacting with large groups of children. Campers will also interact with certain shelter animals that have been approved by staff. Safety of both campers and animals is our priority and under no circumstances do we allow unsupervised children to interact with animals. Campers are not allowed to feed or clean the enclosures of shelter animals as there is extensive training that goes into these processes. While we want children to enjoy their time at Animal Camp and we know that interacting with animals is the best part about camp, it’s important for campers to understand that it can be stressful for some animals to endure periods being handled, held, and pet by so many people. Therefore, we keep our animal interactions short and sweet, and we always teach campers the appropriate ways to handle and interact with a species before they are allowed to do so. Our goal by the end of the week is for campers to have a solid foundation of how to properly provide care for various animal species, as well as comprehend and demonstrate respect toward each animal, one another, and themselves.

Do you offer scholarships?

Yes. Contact our Humane Educator for details and how to apply, 650-340-7022 x369, [email protected].