Kids
Humane Education for a more humane world
Through our Humane Education programs, we aim to help create the world we want to see: one where animals are treated with kindness and respect.
Find out more about our Kids Club, Critter Camp, and Project H.E.A.R.T. Classroom Visits & Field Trips below.
LHS Kids Club is a four month program series for animal lovers ages 9-16. Through fun, hands-on learning, kids discover how to make a positive impact in the lives of both pets and wildlife. Each month, members will receive a fun and educational newsletter featuring a new LHS animal, animal – related topic, along with an activity or challenge they can complete at home. Then, we will bring that month’s topic to life during a special hands-on meeting in the Lexington Humane Society classroom! At each monthly meeting, members will explore the month’s chosen topic, participate in an animal related activity or project, and discover how what they’ve learned can help animals in our community. From wildlife and animal behavior to responsible pet ownership, animal careers, and more, every month brings something new to explore.
What Members Receive
- Monthly Educational Newsletter
- Explore a new animal topic each month with fun facts, stories, and things to discover.
- At Home Activity
- Put your new knowledge to work with a fun activity or challenge to complete at home with your family.
- Monthly LHS Meeting
- Join us at the shelter for a hands-on lesson, project, or animal focused activity connected to that month’s topic.
- Exclusive LHS Member Item
- Show your LHS Kids Club pride with a special LHS branded item included with your membership!
- The Chance to Make a Difference
- Learn how you can help animals and make a positive impact in your community.
- Monthly Educational Newsletter
Choose Your Club
- LHS Animal Explorers (ages 9-12)
- Discover more about the amazing world of animals through hands-on learning, creative activities, and fun monthly challenges.
- LHS Humane Heroes (ages 13-16)
- Take your passion for animals further by exploring animal welfare, how to be an animal advocate for your community, and make a difference.
Membership Details
- The 4 month membership is a one time $50 donation per participant
- Membership includes four monthly newsletters, four at home activities, four hands on meetings at LHS, and an exclusive LHS member item.
Come learn something new, get hands on experience with adoptable animals, and become part of the LHS Kids Club!
Ever wondered what it takes to work with animals? Join us for a special Fall Break session of Critter Camp where we’ll explore just that! At Animal Jobs: Behind the Scenes, your child will discover the many exciting careers that involve caring for, helping, and working with animals.
Campers will explore careers both inside and outside of the shelter, from animal care and veterinary medicine to training, wildlife, and other animal-related professions. They’ll get an exclusive behind the scenes look at the different jobs and roles that help keep Lexington Humane Society running and learn what it’s really like to work with animals every day.
Throughout the camp, campers will participate in hands-on animal interactions, engaging activities, and career focused lessons. They’ll also hear from guest speakers who work in the animal field and have the opportunity to learn about their experiences and ask questions about their careers.
Whether your camper dreams of becoming a veterinarian, animal behaviorist, shelter professional, wildlife expert, or simply loves animals, Animal Jobs: Behind the Scenes will give them a closer look at the many ways they can turn their passion for animals into a career!
Details
Ages: 9 years old – 12 years old
Dates & Times: Monday 9/28 – Friday 10/2, 9am – 12pm (Camp doors will be opened at 8:45am. Pick up ends at 12:15pm.)
Cost: $200/camper
Please note: Lunch is not provided.
Our Project H.E.A.R.T. Classroom Visits and Field Trips incorporate social-emotional learning themes into each lesson and are highly effective due to their unique ability to include animals. Our lessons are tailored to your students to help build character, kindness, and animal knowledge. Choose between a single session classroom visit or combine your classroom lesson with a trip to the shelter to see our life-saving efforts in action! No matter which lesson or package you choose, our humane educators will always be accompanied by an ambassador animal to help strengthen the impact of our visit, as children are naturally drawn to animals. These programs are designed for grades 2 and up.
Mileage fees may apply: 0-30 miles: no fee | 31-45 miles: $15 | 45-60 miles: $20 | 61-75 miles: $30 | 76-90 miles: $40 | 90+ miles: 62¢ per mile
FAQs
My child has allergies. Will that affect their attendance in your programs?
Lexington Humane Society houses a wide variety of domesticated animals. The species interacted with during a program constantly changes based upon shelter population. If your child has a severe allergy to any domesticated animals, it is recommended that they do not visit the shelter. If your child has mild allergies, they are more than welcome to participate in a program, and choose to sit out/observe from afar during specific animal interactions. The animals in our care receive daily enrichment that includes peanut butter. We cannot guarantee that participants will not come into contact with surfaces or animals that may have trace amounts of peanut butter. For this reason, we do not recommend that children with severe peanut allergies participate in our programs. For any other allergy concerns, please contact us in advance of the program date.
Do all programs include animal interactions?
Excluding the Virtual Field Trip program, all other education participants will have the ability to have hands-on interactions with animals. However, please note that if a participant is acting in a way that is unsafe or adds additional stress to the animals in our care, we may reduce their animal interaction time, or in extreme cases, prohibit such interactions altogether.
My child is under 5. What programs can they participate in?
For safety and liability reasons, our education programs are designed exclusively for children ages 5 and up. We always welcome family visits to our adoption center during our business hours.
What is your refund policy for programs?
- Critter Camp Refund Policy
- 75% refund 20 days or more prior to the first day of the program.
- 50% refund 15 days prior to the first day of the program.
- 25% refund 8 days prior to the first day of the program.
- No refunds will be issued 7 days or fewer prior to the first day of camp.
- Classroom Visits & Field Trip Refund Policy
- Refunds will be issued for cancellations within 7 days of the program’s start date.
What types of animals will my children be interacting with when participating in your programs?
Each year, the Lexington Humane Society impacts the lives of thousands of animals. As such, our animal population is constantly changing. Animals chosen for education program interactions will be selected based upon health and temperament, and primarily consist of dogs, cats, and small exotics.
The program I am interested in is full. Will you be adding more sessions?
Yes! We are constantly updating the website with new program opportunities. You can also always add your name to the waitlist for Critter Camp, in the event of any cancellations.
What should my child wear to attend an LHS education program?
In order to prevent accidental scratches during animal interactions, all participants must wear closed-toe shoes and long, thick pants. We ask that you do not wear flip flops/sandals, shorts, and yoga pants/leggings. Due to the nature of program activities and animal interactions, we advise wearing clothes that you do not mind getting dirty.
Can my child bring a cell phone?
Phones are permitted, but must remain on silent and put away unless given permission from a staff member to use for an activity. Behind-the-scene photos are not permitted to be taken or shared as they could interfere with ongoing animal investigations. If at any time the camera or phone becomes a distraction or is not being used appropriately, participants will be asked to put it away for the remainder of the day. Lexington Humane Society is not responsible for any items that are lost, stolen, or damaged.
What if my child/student needs alternative accommodations?
Lexington Humane Society aims for inclusivity in all programming. To ensure your child/student has an enjoyable experience, please notify Allison Hall at [email protected] of any considerations such as accessibility, anxiety, sound/smell sensitivities, etc. This information helps our staff understand the needs of your child and allows them to prepare accordingly. We try our best to accommodate all considerations, provided that they do not have a negative impact upon our animal residents and fellow program participants.
Do you offer partial scholarships for Critter Camp?
Yes. Please fill out the application for a partial scholarship here.