The NHSPCA is excited to announce our 2024 Summer Camp!
Children attending our animal focused camps learn first hand how a busy shelter works. They help animals in need through hands-on activities and leave as compassionate animal advocates with a deeper understanding of animal rescue, animal behavior, training and caregiving. Our days are filled with animal interaction, chores, outdoor games, arts, crafts, gardening and summer fun.
When: Our 5 day camp sessions run from June 24th – August 23rd. Camp hours are 9:00am-3:00pm Monday through Thursday and 9:00am-12:00pm on Fridays. Age groups vary week to week.
- Ages 6-7: June 24-28 and July 1-3
- Ages 8-10: July 8-12, July 15-19, July 29-Aug. 2, Aug. 5-9, Aug. 12-16
- Ages 11-12: July 22-26 and Aug. 19-23
Where: Camp will be held at 104 Portsmouth Ave. in Stratham, NH. The NHSPCA is not directly affiliated with other SPCAs in the state; Please confirm that your camper is able to attend camp at this location before registering.
Cost: Each week of camp is $350* regardless of age (*Exception for 4th of July week, which is a short week and the price is $210).
How to Register: Registration for Summer Camp will be available online ONLY starting February 1st, 2024 at 9:00 am. This year, families may register for UP TO 2 weeks, if interested. However, please keep in mind that the activities we do at camp often repeat throughout the summer! If your camper will not enjoy doing things twice, signing up for 2 weeks may not be the best fit. Registration for summer camp is always first come, first served. If the sessions for your child’s age range are full, you can sign up for our waitlist by emailing education@nhspca.org.
Have more questions about if our Summer Camp is a good fit for your child? See the FAQ section below or email us at education@nhspca.org.
Important information before registering your child: The NHSPCA provides care for animals with a wide variety of personalities, behavioral and medical needs, many of which may be housed in areas not visible to the public (including campers). It is important for parents and campers to understand that we cannot guarantee campers will be able to see and/or interact with animals beyond our classroom ambassador animals during their time at camp.
As a working animal rescue, we aim to reduce added stress to the shelter and classroom animals. To accomplish this, we require all visitors to follow directions and have calm bodies and quiet voices when around animals. Any campers repeatedly engaging in what we feel is unsafe or disruptive behavior toward peers, staff, or animals in our care may need to be dismissed from camp with no refund provided.
While we welcome and encourage children of all backgrounds and ability levels to have the opportunity to participate in our programs, due to limited staff and for the safety of all, we ask that any child who requires 1:1 social-emotional/behavioral support from a trained adult while at school be provided with support from a trained adult while at camp. It is the parents’/guardians’ responsibility to provide this adult support, and the parents/guardians must secure and provide a background check for the attending adult a minimum of one week prior to the start of the child’s registered camp session. Without a cleared background check, the child and adult will not be able to participate.
Cancellation and Refund Policy:
There is a $50 service and materials fee for registration cancellation, if you cancel more than 7 days from the start of your child’s scheduled week of camp. If you must cancel less than 7 days prior to the start of camp, all fees are non-refundable and will result in a donation of the total fee to the NHSPCA.
Waiver: I recognize that in conjunction with my child’s attendance at the New Hampshire Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NHSPCA), my child will be in contact with and may be allowed to interact with a variety of animals. I understand that despite all precautions made, there is a chance that my child may contract a disease or illness by handling the animals. I further understand that there is a chance that my child may sustain a scratch or bite while handling animals. I understand that the above is illustrative of the types of risks involved in participating in programs at the NHSPCA but is in no way a complete list of possible risks. By checking the YES box when registering, I do hereby absolutely and unconditionally release and discharge the NHSPCA, including its employees, successors, assigns, directors, officers, and agents from and against any and all claims, obligations and liabilities of any nature relating to or arising out of my child’s participation with the NHSPCA camp program. I certify that I am the registered child’s legal parent or legal guardian.
Registration and refund policy: By checking the ”YES” box when registering, I do hereby acknowledge that I have read and agree to the “Important information before registering your child” as well as the “Cancellation and Refund Policy” stated on the main page.
Photo Release: By checking the ”YES” box when registering, I authorize the NHSPCA to use photos of my child engaging in program activities for media purposes.
Covid Protocols: As always, we will continue to monitor Covid-19 trends. While masks are not currently required for Humane Education programs, masking requirements may be updated at any time at the discretion of the NHSPCA staff.
