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.
2026 Program Dates
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Session 1 (Ages 10-12): Monday, July 6th - Friday, July 10th
Session 2 (Ages 10-12): Monday, July 13th - Friday, July 17th
This full-day camp for children ages 10-12 years old will offer a different humane education topic every day. Limit is 20 per session.
Time: 8:30AM - 3PM (families may pick up their camper between 3-3:30PM)
Cost: $390
Session 3 (Ages 7-9): Monday, July 20th - Friday, July 24th
Session 4 (Ages 7-9): Monday, July 27th - Friday, July 31st
Session 5 (Ages 7-9): Monday, August 3rd - Friday, August 7th
This full-day camp for children ages 7-9 years old will offer a different humane education topic every day. Limit is 20 per session.
Time: 8:30AM - 3PM (families may pick up their camper between 3-3:30PM)
Cost: $390
Session 6 (Ages 5-6): Monday, August 10th - Friday, August 14th
This half-day camp for children ages 5-6 years old will offer a different humane education topic every day. Limit is 20 per session.
Time: 8:30AM-12:30PM
Cost: $250
How to Apply
The initial application period for 2026 sessions is Wednesday, December 10th - Wednesday, December 24th, 2025. Please click here to apply!
About Our Camp Placement Process:
In an effort to make our programs more equitable and accessible to our community’s youth, we accept initial applications for camp spots over a 2 week period (December 10th - December 24th 2025). Applicants are then selected to register via random lottery system, based on the spots available. Anyone who is not placed in a session will be added to our waitlist.
Applications received during our initial application period are entered into our initial camp placement process. Applicants are notified by email within 1-2 weeks about either 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 24th, 2025 will be considered first come, first served for remaining openings or for the waitlist.
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
CANCELLATION & REFUND POLICY:
In the event of cancellation, a full refund can be issued if requested at least 30 days before the the program start date. Cancellations with notice given less than 30 days before the program start date are not eligible for a refund.
If you need to cancel because of COVID-19 or other illness, please reach out to us as soon as possible. We also recognize that summer plans change and occasionally we are able to switch camp weeks if an opening becomes available.
For all cancellation and refund inquiries, please reach out to us at education@hsccvt.org.
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR OTHER HUMANE EDUCATION PROGRAMS: Animal Welfare Warriors and HUMANE HEROES WORKSHOP!
Adoption Center Hours:
Tuesday-Friday: 1PM - 5PM
Saturday: 12PM - 5PM
Sunday & Monday: Closed
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