Do your kids love animals? Spending time with animals – whether it be a pet, farm animal or wildlife – can be beneficial for children’s health and happiness. Not only do animals spark awe in children and offer comfort and companionship, but they also help kids learn responsibility and develop compassion by caring for animals. If your kids are craving more time with a furry friend, consider sending them to an animal-related camp this summer.
Jenny Grogan is one of the camp directors at Farm Camp in Cazadero, a traditional overnight summer camp for campers ages 7-17 on a working ranch. She sees firsthand how children thrive by being around animals.
“By being consistently surrounded by and immersed in nature and the care of animals, kids are just happier and feel more optimistic,” says Grogan.
Campers are more curious, enthusiastic, empathetic, grateful and able to develop more self-control after working with animals. They also build emotional intelligence and are better able to communicate with each other while taking care of the animals. “I think, too, the sense of accomplishment that you get when you reach milestones involved in learning new skills when you’re working with animals is huge,” says Grogan.
With so many different types of animal camps to choose from in our area, this guide will help you pick the right one for your children.
Zoo Camps
Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! And monkeys and elephants, too. If your kids love learning about animals from around the world, a zoo camp might be a good choice for them. These camps typically include behind-the-scenes zoo tours, animal encounters, games, arts and crafts, animal shows, animal feedings and talks given by zookeepers and other experts. They’ll enjoy the opportunity to get up close and personal with the zoo residents, which they can’t experience anywhere else. It’s also a wonderful way for children to learn about conservation and animal care.
- Oakland Zoo Camp: oaklandzoo.org/zoocamp
- San Francisco Zoo Camp: sfzoo.org/zoo-camp
Farm Camps
Spending time at a farm can be a unique way for kids to interact with animals, whether it be milking cows, feeding chickens, bathing animals, or working in the garden. At Farm Camp in Cazadero, the goal is to teach respect and love for nature and for one another while living and working on a farm.
“The challenges that come with being a residential camp and having animals on site helps with campers’ personal growth and understanding about what a functional, inclusive, supportive community can be,” says Grogan.
More than 100 campers per session at Farm Camp get to interact with donkeys, sheep, cows, horses, pigs, lambs, goats, chickens, kittens and puppies. They help meet all the animals’ needs, including food, water and a clean living space.
“Friday is farm day when we have a day dedicated to giving back to the farm because it provides us with so much,” explains Grogan. Campers interact with the animals in whatever way they wish, such as bathing dogs or braiding the horses’ hair.
- Camp ANV (Acta Non Verba), Oakland: anvfarm.org/programs/camp-anv
- Farm Camp, Cazadero: farmcampca.com
- Goatlandia’s Kids for Compassion Summer Camp, Sebastopol: goatlandia.org/kids-for-compassion
- Hawk Creek Farm Camp, San Francisco: goldenbridgesschool.org/farm-camp.html
- Hidden Villa, Los Altos Hills: hiddenvilla.org/programs/summer-camps/region-HV
- Slide Ranch Camp, Muir Beach: slideranch.org/slidecamp
Wildlife Camps
Some camps offer more general programs to learn about and observe wildlife, such as birdwatching, fishing and hiking in order to get a glimpse of animals in their natural habitat.
Some of the activities kids enjoy at wildlife camps include touching and learning about wildlife up close, going for hikes to search for animal tracks, playing wildlife-themed games, preparing meals and feeding the animals, participating in citizen science programs to track wildlife activity, and creating nature crafts.
Many of these programs focus on both domestic and exotic animals, in addition to outdoor skills like wilderness survival, woodworking and boating. There are also wildlife programs based at wildlife rehabilitation centers so children can learn all about caring for injured animals.
- Call of the Wild Outdoor Nature Camps, various locations: inspirebehavior.com/call-of-the-wild-outdoor-nature-camps-academic-camps
- Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA Wildlife Camp, Saratoga: phs-spca.org/wildlife/wildlife-camps
- The Riekes Center Nature Camps, various locations: riekessummercamps.org
- Trackers Earth Camps, El Cerrito and North Oakland: trackersbay.com/youth/camps/summer-camp
- Tree Frog Treks located in five parks around San Francisco: treefrogtreks.com/summer
- WildCare, San Rafael: discoverwildcare.org/educational-programs/wildlife-camp
Marine Life Camps
For children who love everything about the ocean, marine life camp is an excellent choice. They will learn about marine science, coastal ecology and ocean conservation through field trips, boat excursions, beach walks and interactions with live animals. Some camps are also connected with a marine mammal center, so campers can observe sick and injured sea life, such as sea lions, otters and dolphins, and see first-hand what takes place in a marine hospital.
- Camp Sea Lab, Monterey Bay: campsealab.org
- Coastal Camp, Sausalito: coastalcamp.org
- The Marine Science Institute’s Marine Science Camp, Redwood City: sfbaymsi.org/summer-marine-science-camp
- San Francisco Maritime National Park Association’s Maritime Camp, San Francisco: maritime.org/education/summer-camp-2
Equestrian Camps
Not only will children enjoy caring for the horses on the ranch, but horseback riding comes with a slew of benefits: boosts confidence; reduces stress and anxiety; provides physical exercise; enhances social and interpersonal skills; teaches empathy, kindness, patience, responsibility, and how to treat others gently; and builds determination.
- Five Star Equestrian: 5starequestrian.com/portfolio-items/horse-riding-camps
- Garrod Farms, Saratoga: garrodfarms.com/summer-camp
- Kenilworth Stables Riding School, Oakland Hills: kenilworthstables.com/copy-of-camp
- Mar Vista Stables, Daly City: marvistastable.com/summer-camp
- Miwok Equestrian Center, Mill Valley: https://www.miwokequestrianctr.com/summer-camp
With so many types of animal camps offered in our area, your animal-loving children are sure to have a blast this summer!
