This year, we are offering camps for two different age groups. Price includes all materials, activities, and lessons. Campers will have a blast with animal interactions, games, crafts, and guest speakers! Lunch is not provided. Please note: Camps are a captivating experience for all! To provide this opportunity to more children, each camper is only allowed to register for one week of camp.
Critter Camp: Compassion & Crafts | Ages 5—8
Critter Camp: Animal Care Academy | Ages 9—12
Allergy Note | Canines in our care are provided daily enrichment that includes peanut butter. We cannot ensure that campers will not come in contact with surfaces that have trace amounts. For this reason, we do not recommend that children with severe peanut allergies attend 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.
Waitlist | If the camp you’re interested in is full, you are welcome to add your name to our waitlist here. Waitlist spots will ONLY open up if a person who is already registered for the camp decides to refund their spot.
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
Frequently Asked Questions
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 one 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 I bring my cell phone with me?
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.