Summer 2025: NOW ACCEPTING Applications!
Thank you for your interest in Camp Paw Paw! Our program dates for Summer 2025 are listed below, and we are now accepting applications for enrollment until December 30th, 2024. View all details below and click here to submit your application!
Camp Paw Paw is the place for kids who are wild about animals!
"Love of animals is a universal impulse, a common ground on which all of us may meet. By loving and understanding animals, perhaps we humans shall come to understand each other."
Camp Paw Paw offers a unique learning experience for children who share one thing in common: their love for animals. During camp, children will learn about a wide variety of topics including: proper pet care, shelter medicine, animal safety, homeless animals in our community, animal-related careers, HSCC’s mission, and much more!
Each topic will be led by professionals in animal—related fields. Through different activities and lessons, campers will develop the skills and confidence to become knowledgeable animal caretakers and ambassadors for animal welfare. Campers will leave with a better understanding of the unique bond that exists between humans and animals.
The Camp Paw Paw day involves morning & afternoon age-appropriate crafts connected to what they are learning about that week, guest speakers from different animal related careers, daily humane education lessons, visit time with HSCC animals in the lobby & helping with animal care. We also incorporate a lot of movement activities & outdoor games throughout the day as we have a field space right next to us.
As a working humane society, we provide care for animals with a wide variety of personalities, behavioral and medical needs. Although campers/students will see animals during their program, we cannot promise a certain amount of direct animal contact.
Camp Paw Paw offers three different age groups: 5-6, 7-9 and 10-12.
How to Apply
The initial application period for 2025 sessions is Monday, December 16th - Monday, December 30th, 2024. Click here to apply!
In an effort to make our programs more equitable and accessible to our community’s youth, we will be accepting initial applications for camp spots, and applicants will be randomly selected to register in a camp session based on the spots available, and anyone who is not placed in a session will be added to our waitlist.
Applications received between December 16th - December 30th, 2024 will be entered into our initial camp placement process. You will be notified by email by January 13th, 2025 about either your child/children's placement in camp or on the waitlist.
If your child or children are placed in a camp session, you will receive a link to complete your registration. Applications received after December 30th will be considered first come, first served for remaining openings or for the waitlist.
2025 Program Dates
Click below to expand.
Session 1 (Ages 10-12): Monday, July 7th - Friday, July 11th
Session 2 (Ages 10-12): Monday, July 14th - Friday, July 18th
This full-day camp (8:30AM - 3:30PM) for children ages 10-12 years old will offer a different humane education topic every day. Limit is 20 per session.
Cost: $390
Session 3 (Ages 7-9): Monday, July 21st - Friday, July 25th
Session 4 (Ages 7-9): Monday, July 28th - Friday, August 1st
Session 5 (Ages 7-9): Monday, August 4th - Friday, August 8th
This full-day camp (8:30AM - 3:30PM) for children ages 7-9 years old will offer a different humane education topic every day. Limit is 20 per session.
Cost: $390
Session 6 (Ages 5-6): Monday, August 11th - Friday, August 15th
This half-day camp (8:30AM - 12:30PM) for children ages 5-6 years old will offer a different humane education topic every day. Limit is 20 per session.
Cost: $250
Scholarship Opportunities
Scholarships for Camp Paw Paw 2025 are made possible by a grant from the William & Charlotte Parks Foundation for Animal Welfare. The goal of our camp scholarships is to create meaningful opportunities for children and youth from marginalized backgrounds who may not have previously had access to humane education programs.
Scholarships for Camp Paw Paw are intended for first-time campers who identify as low-income and Black/Indigenous/Person of Color or English Language Learners.
While we strive to award all scholarship requests for those qualified, awards are contingent upon availability of funds.
To learn more and apply for scholarship support, please click here.
Questions about Camp Paw Paw? Email education@hsccvt.org
HSCC Program Refund Policy:
In the event of cancellation, refunds will only be issued if requested prior to 14 days before the 1st day of the program to allow time for program spots to be filled.
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR OTHER HUMANE EDUCATION PROGRAMS: Animal Welfare Warriors and HUMANE HEROES WORKSHOP!
Adoption Hours:
Tuesday - Friday: 1PM - 5PM**
Saturday: 10AM - 4PM
Sunday & Monday: Closed
*Closed 12/24 &12/25
*Closed 12/31 & 1/1
Interested adopters are encouraged to arrive at least 1 hour before we close to allow enough time to complete the adoption process.
Happy Tails
