Are you looking for a great summer camp experience for your child this summer? Consider the Arizona Animal Welfare League and SPCA’s Camp Ruffin’ It!. Every summer, Camp Ruffin’ It! gives 250-300 campers ages 9-12 hands-on active learning opportunities with a variety of animals. Each day campers will get to explore a new topic. For example, on Training Day, campers will work directly with our Behavioral Department learning safe handling techniques and obedience training. On Vet Day, campers visit our on site clinic, shadow our clinic staff and learn valuable preventative health care tips.

The AAWL/SPCA takes great pride in our hands-on interactive camps that get children up close to a variety of animals. At “Camp Ruffin’ It” campers will bounce, splash, chase and explore the Arizona Animal Welfare League and SPCA as they learn compassion, responsibility and animal care from AAWL/SPCA’s animal experts. Campers will get the unique opportunity to go behind the scenes and meet and learn about dogs, cats, rabbits, reptiles and other exciting animals.

Without Humane education opportunities such as ‘Camp Ruffin it” some of the children attending camp would never have the opportunity to have such hands on interaction with animals. “Camp Ruffin it” has evolved into an enriching activity that teaches children about more than just animal care basics. Our goal is to motivate children to speak up for themselves and for animals rather than just accept the role of the passive observer. Campers leave our program with a new sense of understanding and compassion for all creatures. This understanding encourages them to be animal advocates rather than perpetrators of animal abuse and neglect. Hands on experiences such as observing our vet, helping kennel staff and working directly with our educational animals, give campers the ability to strengthen their connection with animals. Our goal is to empower the children that attend our camp with knowledge and understanding so that they can be come the animal care givers in tomorrows world.

“Camp Ruffin’ It” participants can enroll in either a full (8 am – 4 pm) for $275 or a half day (8 am – Noon) for $175 with 10 sessions to choose from. Space is limited, enroll now!

The session dates are:
Session 1 (June 2 – June 6)
Session 2 (June 9 – June 13)
Session 3 (June 16 – June 20)
Session 4 (June 23 – June 27)
Session 5 (June 30 – July 4)
Session 6 (July 7 – July 11)
Session 7 (July 14 – July 18)
Session 8 (July 21 – July 25)
Session 9 (July 28 – August 1)
Session 10 (August 4 – August 8)

Sign up now and give your child the opportunity to train dogs, hug a ferret, pet a reptile, watch our vet at work, and discover why animals are such an important part of our lives. Contact mmyers@aawl.org or shock@aawl.org for more information. For a full list of kid-friendly programs, visit www.AAWL.org.