Hours are:

• Camp PAWS: 9-4 p.m.
• Camp Purrs: 8:30-11:30 a.m.
• Camp PAWS, Jr.: 9-12 p.m. - Camp Purrs, Jr.: 9-11 a.m.
• Animal Care Residency: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Doors to camp open 10 minutes prior to official camp start time. To ensure our staff has time to prepare for the fun day of camp, those who arrive prior to that will kindly be asked to wait in the vestibule area. Late pickups more than 10 minutes after the camp end time may be charged a $25 late pickup fee.

Summer camp ages:

We offer different sessions for various age groups, based on the grade they are entering in the fall after camp. Because our programming is designed for each specific age group, we ask that all participants register for their designated weeks. At this time, we do not make exceptions to the grade level designations, but we do offer an all-ages week to allow for sibling groups to attend together. Please check the schedule for specific dates.

At HSHV:

Camp Paws Jr. is a half-day camp intended for children entering Young 5s or kindergarten. Camp Paws weeks alternate between children entering 1st-3rd grade and 4th-6th grade. We do also offer one “siblings week” for children entering 1st-6th grade.

At Tiny Lions:

Camp Purrs Jr. is for children entering kindergarten-1st grade. Camp Purrs is divided into weeks for children entering 4th-5th grade and 6th-8th grade.

School-year and Break camp ages:

During our school year camps, all children (grades K-5th) are grouped together.

Waitlist

Session full? Add your name to the waitlist for any week(s) you desire. If space becomes available, all families on the waitlist for that week will be notified via e-mail, and the space will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis. Due to time constraints, we will no longer be contacting families individually when openings arise. Thank you for your understanding! Questions? Email humaneed@hshv.org

You can add your name to our wait list here: Camp Program Waitlist

Sessions

To allow campers to attend more than one week of Camp PAWS each summer, we offer a “session 1” and “session 2.” Each week of session one will contain similar activities and the same applies for the weeks of session 2. If your camper would like to attend more than one week of Camp PAWS, we ask that they attend one week of each session. Activities are modified and adapted for different age groups.

Summer Camps: If a cancellation is made prior to May 1st , a refund will be given less a $50 non refundable deposit, per participant. For cancellations after May 1st, no refunds will be given.  Unfortunately, transfers to a different week or to a different child are not able to be done on our end and require being issued a refund (the above policy applies) and re-registering for another available week, if space is available. We’re sorry, we are not able to waive our policy for any reason nor are we able to have a child’s sibling or friend attend in your child’s place. Please email humaneed@hshv.org to request a cancelation if needed.

School Year Camps: If a cancellation is made prior to 60 days before the start of a camp , a refund will be given less a $50 non refundable deposit, per participant. For cancellations less than 60 days, no refunds will be given. Unfortunately, transfers to a different session or to a different child are not able to be done on our end and require being issued a refund (the above policy applies) and re-registering for another available week, if space is available. We’re sorry, we are not able to waive our policy for any reason nor are we able to have a child’s sibling or friend attend in your child’s place. Please email humaneed@hshv.org to request a cancelation if needed.

We're sorry; due to low registrations the past three years, HSHV is no longer offering before/after care for our camp programs.

All of our staff and volunteers involved in our youth programming have a full background check and go through training on safety and health procedures. All camp staff members have current First Aid, CPR and Mental Health First Aid certifications. Our Lead Humane Educator and VP of Volunteers and Humane Education are also certified teachers in the state of Michigan.

Peanut/Dairy Allergies: Our shelter regularly uses peanut butter and cheese with dogs, and we are not peanut-free. During camp, peanut butter smells will be in the air, and some dogs may have peanut butter near their mouths. We cannot guarantee that children will not come into contact with peanut butter, cheese or other allergens. Animal Allergies: Children will come into contact daily with animals, which may include but is not limited to: cats, dogs, ferrets, rabbits and reptiles. We cannot guarantee that children will not come into contact with any of these animals.

If a child will bring medications to camp, we require they bring a Medication Release Form with them on the first day of camp. This form is required for both prescription and over-the-counter medications. For prescription medications, the form must include a doctor’s signature. We’re sorry – for your child’s safety we will be unable to administer medications without a completed form.

Campers will need to bring a lunch and drink each day of camp. Unfortunately, refrigerators and microwaves are not available. HSHV will provide a small snack each day of camp such as veggies, pretzels, crackers, etc. Participants are welcome to bring their own snack to meet any dietary or allergy needs and are also encouraged to bring a water bottle each day.

We welcome a diverse group of children to camp each year! To help each child to be successful, we ask that parents/guardians share information regarding their child’s needs during registration. This may include sharing things such as diagnosis, social needs or program accommodations (i.e. large print for visual impairments, movement breaks, calm down areas, use of noise-canceling headphones, etc.). Camp staff may contact you to discuss any accommodations your child may need to help them have a safe and happy experience.

We, unfortunately, are not able to provide one-on-one support to Camp PAWS participants. If your child would benefit from a support person/aide that will accompany them to camp each day, please let us know during registration. All support persons must be over the age of 21 and provided by the family.