Summer Camp

Sample Camp Activities/Topics: 

• Understanding Dog Language
• Create Rescue Posters for Shelter Animals
• Bake cat and dog treats
• Learn about x-rays and microchipping during a trip to the Veterinary Resource Center
• Pet Encounters: meet and interact with shelter pets 

Sample Camp Activities/Topics Include:

• Animal Shelter vs. Animal Rescue. What’s the difference?
• Build Your Own Rescue. Create your own logo, mission, posters, commercial and more  
• End the week with presenting your rescue to fellow campers, shelter staff, and parents & guardians
• Pet Encounters: meet and interact with shelter pets

Sample Camp Activities/Topics Include: 

• Meet and learn about police K-9
• What is a Humane Police Officer?
• Learn about humane advocates, community and shelter helpters, trainers, and wildlife heroes
• Animal Encounters!

Sample Camp Activities/Topics Include:

• Learn about cat and dog bone structure by building “skeletons”
• Learn basic first aid and create a first aid kit
• Pet surgery – learn how veterinarians suture of an animal after surgery by practicing on fruit
• Pet encounters: meet and interact with shelter pets

• A smile and an open mind. 
• A large, labeled bottle of water that can be refilled at camp.
• A hearty, nutritious lunch plus morning and afternoon snacks, labeled.
• Layers of clothing for indoor and outdoor activities, or foggy/cool weather.
• Closed-toe shoes for walking and working with animals (sneakers or boots are great).
• Sunscreen and/or a hat.
• Cell phones are allowed for picture taking only. No calling or texting during camp unless there is an emergency.

On the first day of camp, your child will get to design their own camp t-shirt!  

The camp curriculum at HSHA emphasizes the Humane Education tenants of collaborate, educate, empower and inspire using critical thinking, and the exchange of ideas with fellow campers. Campers are encouraged to find solutions to many of the challenges animals face in our society today. All camp sessions include age-appropriate animal care and behavior learning activities, team projects, games, physical activities, crafts, and hands-on interactions with animals such as dogs, cats, guinea pigs, rats, birds, reptiles, and rabbits. The Humane activities are designed to encourage respect for all living things. Age-appropriate material and modified lesson plans have been created to tailor the curriculum for each age level. 

Your child will get to interact with varied types of animals at HSHA.  Possible interactions include dogs, cats, rabbits & guinea pigs.  Camps will also have visiting animals which may include birds snakes and reptiles. 

HSHA strives to provide an enriching learning experience and ensure the safety and comfort of our animals and residents in our care. As such, we must limit the direct time spent with animal interactions to approximately 30 minutes per day. We have a limited number of animals with which our campers may interact, and the animal needs time to relax and recuperate from the excitement of our hands-on sessions. Camper interactions with animals may include feeding, grooming, walking, and cuddling.

A note about animal safety: Campers will interact only with animals that have been approved for safety and disposition by HSHA behavioral professionals. Please encourage your child not to touch any animal without specific permission of a camp staff person.

Camp hours are Monday through Friday 9:00am-3:00pm.

Unfortunately, we will not be able to accomodate after care for 2024 summer camp.  We apologize for any inconvience! 

Humane Society of Harrisburg Area is located at 7790 Grayson Rd. Harrisburg PA 17111.

This is where both drop-off and pick-up of campers will take place.

Parents/ guardians are required to sign campers into and out of camp each day.

Please plan to arrive between 8:45 and 9:00 am and pick up between 2:45pm and 3:00pm.

On the first day of camp, we will also review who is authorized to pick up your child up from camp.

We aim to provide each child with an enjoyable camp experience and look forward to meeting you.  You can set up a time to do a in-person our telephone call with our Camp Director to discuss how we can best support your child.  This information will be asked for when you sign up for camp.

Parents, guardians, and/ or approved custodians must pick each camper up by 3:00 pm. If you anticipate needing to pick your camper(s) up early on any given day please communicate that to staff ahead of time. Your child must be picked up no later than 3:15. If you are later than 3:15 there is a $20.00 emergency aftercare charge paid prior to pick up for every 15 minutes that you are late.

 HSHA will need preauthorization for anyone other than the parent or guardian picking up your child. Anyone who has not been authorized to pick up a camper will not be allowed to sign that camper out until we have cleared that person with the campers’ parents/guardian/ approved custodian. If an unavoidable delay arises and you arrive late, call or text our cell phone to alert us. The cell phone number will be provided to you in your registration packet. 

To help maintain the safety and wellness of campers, staff, volunteers, animals, and the general public, the following discipline policy has been established. Disciplinary action may be taken if a camper displays undesirable behavior that interferes with or disrupts the camp program. Examples of this behavior include inappropriate language, making fun of or insulting others, bullying, using profanity, harming or frightening the animals, physically harming others or animals, not following directions, or unwelcome actions that make other campers feel uncomfortable. Every effort is made to accommodate campers with special needs, including campers with behavioral challenges. Parents/ guardians of children who need special attention or have behavioral challenges must notify us of the issue in the additional notes section of the online registration form. Campers with severe behavioral disorders that may continuously interfere with or disrupt the camp program must have an adult aide present. Every consideration will be given to keep your child in camp, however, should their behaviors escalate, the parent or guardian will be called to pick your child up immediately.  

Masks are optional for campers.  Campers exhibiting signs of COVID-19 or any illness causing symptoms such as red or runny eyes, 100 degree or more fever, vomiting, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, loss of taste or smell or diarrhea may not attend.  If a camper becomes ill you will be called and asked to pick up your camper immediately.  

We follow extensive cleaning regiments, including frequent cleaning of high touch areas throughout the shelter, including the Humane Education Center and restrooms. 

We are unable to administer medication to campers.