• HSOY launches summer camp
Kids can get a chance to interact with pooches and cats this summer as the Humane Society kicks off its pilot summer camp program.
“We believe that if we teach kids early what it means to be humane, they will continue to practice being humane to both people and animals for years to come,” said Annette Lagunas, executive director at HSOY. “Additionally, we hope that by teaching kids how to treat animals they will recognize behaviors in others that will potentially save the lives of their loved ones. It is known that many who abuse other people will start by abusing animals first. Our hope is to break that cycle early in their lives and provide them the tools necessary to know when they need to report to an adult if they see something that they believe to be abusive.”
Additionally, Lagunas noted that she hopes children will obtain a better understanding of the shelter through the summer camp.
“It is also important to us that the children in our community learn what an animal shelter really is and does,” Lagunas said. “There is often a perception that animal shelters are scary, terrible places to be, and we want to change that mindset by letting our children have a first-hand positive experience to see the life-saving work the staff and volunteers do here at HSOY. They will learn about the importance of adopting from shelters and how you are truly saving a life when you adopt.”
The program consists of four one-week sessions targeted toward different age groups. Each session has the goal of engaging youth in a variety of animal welfare topics.
Groups range in age from 8 to 13 and the first session is to begin on June 12. Sessions will be held Monday through Friday from noon to 5 p.m. and young participants will receive a T-shirt.
“Throughout the camps we will teach the kids about bite prevention, how to approach an animal, careers in animal welfare and so much more,” Lagunas said. “Session one is for children eight to nine years old. This session is called ‘Fur Friends.’ This camp will focus on what pet ownership means. We will learn that owning a pet does cost money, they require medical care, love and attention and so much more.”
Session two, she added, is for children aged nine to 10.
“It is called ‘Animal Ambassadors.’ This camp will take an in-depth look at animal behavior, their environments and pet overpopulation. This camp may include animals outside of dogs and cats.”
The executive director explained that session three is for children between the ages of 10 to 11 and is called “Animal Explorers/Heroes” and “will explore the world of Veterinary Science and animal careers.”
HSOY’s summer camp’s last session is called “What it means to be humane,” and “is all about being humane and how to market that message in animal welfare,” Lagunas said.
“This camp will allow kids to create a marketing campaign that teaches other kids what it means to be humane while learning themselves.”
The camp, Lagunas noted, is in keeping with trends of other similar organizations throughout the United States.
“Summer camps at Humane Societies are growing in popularity all over the country,” Lagunas said. “Here in Yuma we have wanted to do summer camps for years, and the time is finally right. Special thanks to Yuma Investment, El Dorado, Yuma Rotary Club, Monster Media and Pat and Karen Griffin for sponsoring our camps and making this first camp possible for the kids in our community. With these sponsors we are able to provide each child with a T-shirt and a weeklong shelter experience that includes hands-on time with many different types of animals.”
“With our sponsors’ help we have also been able to keep the cost of the camp reasonable for the families,” Lagunas added.
The price for each camper is $95, and $75 for an additional sibling. A $50 non-refundable deposit is required to secure a spot, she said. The maximum capacity for each session is 25 children.
Enrollment into the summer program is open until full and may be completed at the shelter, located at 4050 S Avenue 4 1/2 E, or over the phone, (928) 7821621.
According to the organization, HSOY also wishes to expand their educational efforts with the launch of this program and they are “committed to hiring a local teacher to lead and manage this program.”
For the future, HSOY endeavors to hire multiple teaching staff to “help the school districts even more.”
“The staff here at HSOY is very excited about these camps this summer,” Laugnas said. “We think this camp will continue to grow and grow each summer. We have already received an overwhelming amount of support for the camps and know that they will be full very soon.”