Question 1

How old does my child have to be?

Accepted Answer

We offer full day camps for children in Grades 1-9. Grade level is based on the grade your child will be entering in the fall. Please note the minimum age is 6 years and your child must be fully toilet trained to attend camp.

Question 2

Do you offer camps for children with special needs?

Accepted Answer

CHS Camp is an inclusive camp and we welcome children of all abilities. Children with special needs (with or without an aid or assistant) are fully integrated into a camp group and encouraged to engage in all aspects of camp.

Question 3

When registering, what age group should my child go in to?

Accepted Answer

When considering which age group you should sign your camper up for in CHS Summer Camp, please base it off of the grade they will be going into next fall, not the grade they are currently in (and will have completed by the summer).

Question 4

My child is very mature for their age. Can I put them in the next group up?

Accepted Answer

Due to the hard work our leaders put in to designing a week that is appropriate for the age group they are leading, we ask that you register your child into the camp based on the grade they will be going into in the Fall.

Question 5

Do you have before or after care?

Accepted Answer

After-care (until 4:30pm) can be added for an additional fee upon checkout. The fee is $10 times the number of days the camp runs (4 or 5 days depending on the week). We do not offer before-care at this time.

Question 6

Do you accept camp volunteers?

Accepted Answer

Yes! We accept applications from youth aged 14-17 to apply for the Summer Camp Volunteer position. Once recruitment for this position is open, all information will be available on our website through the following link; https://www.calgaryhumane.ca/get-involved/volunteer/

Question 7

What lunch options are available?

Accepted Answer

A Friday Pizza Lunch is included in your registration fee. You will be able to select what kind of pizza your child would like when you register for camp. Please note that the pizza lunch fee is part of camp registration and cannot be refunded or deducted.

Question 8

How many animals will my child meet?

Accepted Answer

We aim to have all children at camp meet a minimum of 2 animals each day, and on some days of camp children have met more than this. These figures may change from day to day or week to week due to fluctuations in shelter population, animal stress levels or presentations.

Question 9

What is an animal interaction? Does my child get to pet, hold or feed the animals?

Accepted Answer

An “animal interaction” is any time when an animal is brought to meet a camp group. What an animal interaction looks like largely depends on the species and temperament of the animal they are meeting.

Question 10

My child is frightened of certain animals, will those be at camp?

Accepted Answer

Our staff recognize that not all children are comfortable around all types of animals and at no point will any camper be “forced‟ to interact with an animal they are uncomfortable with. The Humane Education team addresses fear of animals by providing information and education about that animal.

Question 11

Will my child come home begging for a pet?

Accepted Answer

It is possible that your child will meet an animal at camp they feel would make an excellent pet and may ask you about this, however we do not “push” pet ownership on anyone.

Question 12

Do the proceeds from CHS Camp really go to help the animals at the CHS?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! Calgary Humane Society is a charitable organization dedicated to improving the welfare of animals and our mission is to help as many animals as we can. By choosing CHS Camp you are supporting animals in need within the Calgary community!

Question 13

What is the camp cancellation and refund policy?

Accepted Answer

CHS Camp registration fees are refundable up to 30 days before the start of camp. After 30 days, camp fees are transferable. Please contact our Humane Education department to discuss options available for fee transfer.

Question 14

I will be missing a day of camp. Do you give a discount since I will not be attending all days?

Accepted Answer

No, we do not give a discount for missed days of camp. If you are unable to attend all days, we encourage you to check out a different week where you will be able to make all the days.

Question 15

What if my youth is showing symptoms of COVID-19?

Accepted Answer

If your youth are showing any symptoms of COVID-19 or general illness, we will ask that they stay home from camp.

Question 16

How many weeks can my child attend?

Accepted Answer

There is no restriction on how many weeks any child may attend CHS Camp. The camp themes change each week with different activities.

Question 17

Where do you get your camp staff?

Accepted Answer

Our camp leaders are often Post-Secondary students studying areas related to child development, education, social work, psychology or animal welfare. We interview every potential candidate carefully in order to select camp leaders who are passionate about children, education and animals.

Question 18

What is the camp discipline policy?

Accepted Answer

Our goal is to provide every child with a rewarding experience. At the beginning of camp, the leaders go over camp expectations and rules. Our leaders then follow our progressive discipline policy that involves problem solving, verbal warnings, and involvement of full-time staff if necessary.

Question 19

Why do you ask for my child's Alberta Health Care number?

Accepted Answer

In case of emergencies, we want to be sure to provide EMS with all pertinent information so they can help your child to the best of their abilities.

Question 20

What is a typical day at CHS Summer Camp?

Accepted Answer

A typical day at camp may involve any combination of the following: creative crafts, at least two animal visits, playing games indoors and outdoors, educational activities, guest speakers, special activities. Campers will have two snack breaks and one lunch break.

Question 21

Is CHS Camp educational?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Aside from meeting animals, campers will also engage in a variety of activities designed to build and challenge their knowledge of the animal world.

Question 22

Is CHS Camp a peanut-free camp?

Accepted Answer

Calgary Humane Society uses peanut butter with our dogs as part of our stress reduction protocols and therefore we cannot be declared a “peanut-free” facility. Parents who have concerns regarding children with allergies are encouraged to contact us prior to registration if they have concerns.

Question 23

Which animals will my camper get to meet at camp?

Accepted Answer

Due to the nature of Calgary Humane Society’s operations and the animals in our care, availability of appropriate animals for campers to visit varies from day to day.

Question 24

How do you choose the animals campers will meet?

Accepted Answer

We select the animals met by campers on several criteria including: a successful health check, successful socialization session, polite and appropriate behavior, and personality to determine what animals would enjoy the experience of meeting 10+ eager campers.

Question 25

My child is really good with animals, why are they only allowed to pet them?

Accepted Answer

Most children who come to CHS Camp are very good with animals! We completely understand your child’s desire to hold an animal or interact with a specific animal in the shelter. However, asking any animal to be held by 10- 15 or more campers is not a fair demand to make of many animals in our care.

Question 26

Do you offer discounts?

Accepted Answer

CHS Members can get a discount on their camp fees! Your CHS membership must be active (not expired) and you must contact Humane Education at humane.education@calgaryhumane.ca before you register in order to receive your discount code.

Question 27

What options do you have for reduced camp fees for low income families?

Accepted Answer

Please contact us at humane.education@calgaryhumane.ca to discuss available camp subsidies.

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CHS Summer Camp 2025: Critters in Motion (Grades 1-3) - July 28th - Aug 1st