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Camps

Currently offered at our Milwaukee, Ozaukee, and Racine Campuses

WHS offers fun-filled weeklong summer camps and one-day spring/winter camps for animal lovers in grades 1-9Whether it's your first time attending or you're a returning camper, each year brings exciting new adventures and activities.


Milwaukee Campus

4500 W. Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53208

Barks & Blooms Camp

Grades 1-6 "Spring" into an awesome day of animal antics! During this in-person camp, kids will jump into career exploration and meet some animal friends. 

Camp Critter

Grades 1-3 (completed by date of camp) - Enjoy a fun-filled week of crafts, games, and animal friends at WHS. We'll cover topics like animal behavior, safety, training, and more!

Camp Unleashed

Grades 4-6 (completed by date of camp) - Take camp to the next level! Discover how you can make a difference for animals in your community, enjoy animal-themed activities, and meet some amazing four-legged friends in the process!

Junior Veterinary Camp 

Grades 6-9 (completed by date of camp) - Have you ever wondered what it takes to become a veterinarian? Dive into the exciting world of veterinary science and discover what it takes to become an animal doctor.

 

If you have additional questions about camps at the Milwaukee Campus or want to be added to the waitlist, please contact: 


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Ozaukee Campus

630 West Dekora Street, Saukville, WI 53080

Barks & Blooms Camp

Grades 1-6 "Spring" into an awesome day of animal antics! During this in-person camp, kids will jump into career exploration and meet some animal friends. 

Camp Critter

Grades 1-3 (completed by date of camp) - Enjoy a fun-filled week of crafts, games, and animal friends at WHS. We'll cover topics like animal behavior, safety, training, and more!

Camp Unleashed 

Grades 4-6 (completed by date of camp) - Take camp to the next level! Discover how you can make a difference for animals in your community, enjoy animal-themed activities, and meet some amazing four-legged friends in the process!

Junior Veterinary Camp 

Grades 6-9 (completed by date of camp) - Have you ever wondered what it takes to become a veterinarian? Dive into the exciting world of veterinary science and discover what it takes to become an animal doctor.

  

If you have additional questions about camps at the Ozaukee Campus or want to be added to the waitlist, please contact: 


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Racine Campus

8900 16th Street, Mount Pleasant, WI 53177

Barks & Blooms Camp

Grades 1-6 "Spring" into an awesome day of animal antics! During this in-person camp, kids will jump into career exploration and meet some animal friends. 

Camp Critter 

Grades 1-3 (completed by date of camp) - Enjoy a fun-filled week of crafts, games, and animal friends at WHS. We'll cover topics like animal behavior, safety, training, and more!

Camp Unleashed 

Grades 4-6 (completed by date of camp) - Take camp to the next level! Discover how you can make a difference for animals in your community, enjoy animal-themed activities, and meet some amazing four-legged friends in the process!

Junior Veterinary Camp 

Grades 6-9 (completed by date of camp) - Have you ever wondered what it takes to become a veterinarian? Dive into the exciting world of veterinary science and discover what it takes to become an animal doctor.

  

If you have additional questions about camps at the Racine Campus or want to be added to the waitlist, please contact: 

 

To see all upcoming events and programs at WHS, view our calendar here

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Youth Volunteer Program Assistant

Program Assistants have the opportunity to build leadership skills and gain valuable experience while supporting camp sessions at the Wisconsin Humane Society Milwaukee, Ozaukee, and Racine Campuses. Program Assistants will help facilitate the many fun activities including games, crafts, and more, plus the opportunity to meet animal guests!

Teens interested in the Program Assistant opportunity need to complete an application using the link below, with the support of a Parent/Guardian, to be considered for the program. We encourage young people of all diverse backgrounds to apply. Please note the Program Assistant opportunity has limited enrollment and there is the possibility that not all applicants will be accepted.

-> Click here to learn more about this opportunity <-

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Summer Camp Scholarship Program

Now accepting applicants for 2024!

The Wisconsin Humane Society offers a summer camp scholarship program that provides students in need of financial assistance the opportunity to attend summer camp!

CLICK HERE for more information and to apply or nominate a student you know! 

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Frequently Asked Questions

 Before You Register

 After You Register

 

Before You Register

What is your health policy?
If a camper becomes ill during the program, WHS staff will contact a guardian to pick up their child. To protect the health and safety of each of our campers, we have the following health policy in place for our staff, volunteers, and campers: 

  • COVID Positive: We recommend campers follow COVID quarantining and masking guidelines put out by the CDC.  
  • Other illness: If campers are sick, we encourage them to stay home to not spread illness. Campers may return to camp when they have had no fever for at least 24 hours (that is, one full day of no fever without the use of medicine that reduces fevers) and other symptoms have improved (they do not need to be completely gone).  
  • COVID close contact exposure: We ask that campers who know they have been a close contact with someone who is COVID positive follow CDC guidance. 

I’d prefer not to register online.  Is there another option?
Yes, you can register by phone. Contact the youth programs team at the campus where you wish to register (414-431-6153 in Milwaukee, 262-988-5947 in Ozaukee, 262-554-6699 x5014 in Racine). Registrations are first-come, first-served, and are processed when full payment is received. We are unable to hold spaces without full payment and cannot accept registrations by mail.

What’s included in the registration fee? 
Camp registration fees include all materials, including take-home crafts. T-shirts are optional and may be ordered for an additional fee. Purchased T-shirts will be handed out on the first day of camp. To order a T-shirt, select a size and pay for it at the time of registration. See individual camp descriptions for T-shirt order deadlines.

Am I allowed to stay at camp with my child? 
We understand that parents and grandparents enjoy being involved with many of the activities that their kids engage in and we love that! However, for the kids to get the most out of their camp experience, we advise that parents and grandparents not stay at camp with them. This helps them build confidence and relationships with other campers. That being said, we are willing to work with your child's individual needs and have had guardians stay for up to the first half hour of camp to help their child adjust if needed. Please feel free to contact us to discuss your options and concerns. 

My child has allergies. Can he or she still attend camp? 
Yes. Please notify us prior to camp if your child is sensitive or allergic to any foods or animals so we can make adjustments.

Do you make exceptions to grade requirements? 
Activities during camp are tailored to match the needs and abilities of specific grade levels. To maintain the best experience for all campers, we rarely make exceptions to the grade requirements for camp.

What are camp hours? 
Camp hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Children picked up after 3 p.m. will be charged an additional $1 for every 5 minutes.

All camp sessions are sold out. Is there a wait list I can get on?
Yes. To be added to the wait list, contact the youth programs team at the campus you wish to register.

What is your cancellation policy? 
Camp registrations are subject to our cancellation policy:

  • We will provide a full refund for cancellations made at least 30 days prior to the start of the camp session.
  • We will not provide refunds for cancellations made within 30 days of the start of the camp session. You may offer your registration to another child who meets the camp’s age requirements. Please notify the youth programs team if you’d like to use this option. 
  • The Wisconsin Humane Society reserves the right to cancel camp. In the unlikely event that we cancel a camp, we will attempt to reschedule the session. If we are unable to do so, or we are unable to accommodate your child in another camp, you will receive a full refund of the registration fee.
  • If you have questions about our health guidelines or cancellations, please reach out to our team.

Are there scholarships available to attend camps?
Yes! The Wisconsin Humane Society now has a summer camp scholarship program that provides young people in need of financial assistance the opportunity to attend summer camp. Click here for more information.

Who leads camp?
Each camp is led by a staff member from the Wisconsin Humane Society’s youth programs team, assisted by volunteers. All staff and volunteers involved in camps have had a background check. WHS staff are certified in first aid and CPR.

Do campers have a chance to meet animals during camp?
Yes. In addition to animal-themed crafts and games, every camp day includes time to interact with animals. Animals may include dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, birds and domestic rats. Camp staff stress the importance of safety and safe behavior when interacting with any animal. If your child has allergies or is afraid of animals, please contact our youth programs team to discuss your concerns.

My child would like to attend with a friend. Will they be together during camp?
During camp, we conduct both full group and small group activities. We rotate groups regularly to encourage kids to meet new people. Friends who attend together will have many chances to be together, but we don’t guarantee they will participate in every activity together.

 

After You Register

What does my child need to bring with them to camp? 
Campers should bring a bag lunch and two snacks from home (non-perishable food items; refrigeration is not available). Campers should also bring a water bottle that can be refilled throughout the day. The Wisconsin Humane Society is not responsible for any lost, stolen, or damaged items so we recommend leaving valuable items at home. If your child brings a phone with them to the program, we'll ask them to put it away so that they can be fully present for the program.

What should my child wear to camp? 
Your child should wear comfortable clothing that he or she doesn’t mind getting dirty. Campers should wear pants or shorts, T-shirts and tennis shoes or other closed-toe shoes. Sandals, open-toed shoes, or soft-soled shoes like Crocs are not appropriate for camp activities. Campers should dress for the weather, as we may be doing some activities outside. 

Where can I find the Consent and Release form?
The consent and release form is provided in your confirmation e-mail and in the camp information packet you will receive when you register. Each participant must have a copy signed by their parent or legal guardian. Additional forms will be available when you drop your child off. If a child forgets his/her permission form, verbal permission may be accepted if we are able to contact the parent or guardian on the telephone prior to the start of camp.

My child needs to take medication(s) during the day. Can I send it with him/her to camp? 
If your child may require any prescription or non-prescription medication (e.g. inhalers, EpiPen, Benadryl, acetaminophen) during camp, you must complete the medication form provided in the camp information packet and return by the first day of camp. 

Where do I drop-off/pick-up my child?
Each campus is different so please refer to the camp information packet that you will be able to download at the time of registration. If you need a copy of the camp information packet, please contact the youth programs team at the campus in which your camp takes place.


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