OHS Summer Camps
2024 Summer Camp Registration is Open!
Does your child love animals and want to learn even more about how to take care of them? OHS summer camps are a great opportunity for children to learn all about humane animal care, get a behind-the-scenes look at the OHS, and help the shelter through fun crafts and games!
Camp Information
Animal Interactions:
All our activities are geared towards teaching campers about animal care, handling and welfare. We try to have 45 minutes of animal interactions every day, but that can sometimes vary depending on animal availability and behaviour. Our top priority is the well-being and safety of both the campers and our animals. We provide a fun, inclusive and safe learning environment for our campers, and one that is stress-free for the animals.
We encourage all parents and guardians to discuss the needs of our shelter animals with their children to ensure they know what to expect from camp. If we cannot find a suitable animal for meet-and-greets, we do pack in a couple of bonus games and activities to keep the campers’ spirits high!
Cost:
- Five-day camps: $350/week (+ optional $40 for extended care)
- Four-day camps: $305/week (+ optional $32 for extended care)
All proceeds above and beyond the costs to run camps go to the animals at the OHS.
Location:
The Ottawa Humane Society (245 West Hunt Club Rd)
Camp Hours:
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Extended Care:
Available from 8 to 9 a.m. and 4 to 4:30 p.m. for an additional fee. Must be selected and paid for upon registration.
Age Restrictions:
Camp programming has been tailored to meet the campers’ interests based on their grade level. Campers must be enrolled in a week that aligns with their grade level as of fall 2024. For example, if your child is in kindergarten at the time of registration but will be going into Grade 1 in September 2024, they are eligible for camp weeks tailored to Grades 1 to 3.
Lunches and Peanut/Nut Policy:
The OHS does not provide lunches for campers. Please have campers bring their own lunch from Monday to Friday, and two snacks daily for the entire week. While we request that campers refrain from bringing products containing nuts to camps, the OHS is not a nut-free facility. Campers with EpiPens must present to camp daily with their EpiPen.
Cancellation Policy:
Participants who do not meet grade requirements for the program may have their registrations automatically cancelled. Automatic cancellations will be subject to the cancellation & refund policy (a non-refundable $25 administration fee applies for all cancellations).
Refund requests received seven days in advance of the scheduled camp program are eligible for a refund (a non-refundable $25 administration fee applies). Refund requests received within seven days of the scheduled camp program are not eligible for a refund. Note: Full refunds will be issued in the event the OHS has to cancel a scheduled camp program.
For more information, email programs@ottawahumane.ca or call 613-725-3166, ext. 298.
2024 Camp Themes
Humane Heroes – Grades 1 to 3 – Tuesday, July 2 to Friday, July 5
Book Now
Is your child an animal advocate superhero? Campers who attend this special camp will create their own superhero character and find out what they can do to help animals in Ottawa. Whether it’s through caring hands-on for our animals, learning about pet needs, or raising funds and awareness, campers will develop all the superpowers they need to be a true humane hero! Campers can look forward to plenty of themed games and activities, and some visits with OHS animals.
Artsy Animals – Grades 1 to 3 – Monday, July 15 to Friday, July 19
Artsy Animals – Grades 1 to 3 – Monday, Aug. 12 to Friday, Aug. 16
This one’s for all the artists! We’re having an extra-creative week with plenty of animal-themed crafts, and campers will get to do everything from pet portraits to creating custom animal toys for our furry friends in the shelter. To keep inspiration flowing, campers will get to meet some of the animals in our care, and can even look forward to special guest visits who will show them how they can turn their art into a career!
Shelter Helpers – Grades 1 to 4 – Monday, July 29 to Friday, Aug. 2
**SOLD OUT**
Shelter Helpers – Grades 1 to 4 – Monday, Aug. 26 to Friday, Aug. 30
**SOLD OUT**
Campers who attend this camp week will work together to complete a scavenger hunt checklist of ways to help the shelter! They will do everything from creating their own custom animal enrichment toys, to making frozen dog treats, to designing posters to help get our animals adopted. With a few guest speaker visits and some time with the animals, it will be a busy week for these campers!
To be placed on an interest list for Summer Camps 2024, please register your contact information by selecting the “Interest List” button below. Choose the calendar date (Dec. 31, 2024) and time (11:59 p.m.) and select “Book Now”.
Jobs with Animals – Grades 4 to 6 – Monday, July 8 to Friday, July 12
**SOLD OUT**
Jobs with Animals – Grades 4 to 6 – Monday, Aug. 19 to Friday, Aug. 23
**SOLD OUT**
Does your child talk about working with animals when they grow up? Most children think that the best way to work with animals is to become a veterinarian – yet there are so many different career options in the animal care field! Throughout the week, campers will get to meet and greet with some of our shelter professionals, who are bringing activities, crafts and games to teach the campers a little more about their jobs!
To be placed on an interest list for Summer Camps 2024, please register your contact information by selecting the “Interest List” button below. Choose the calendar date (Dec. 31, 2024) and time (11:59 p.m.) and select “Book Now”.
Pet Ownership 101 – Grades 4 to 6 – Monday, July 22 to Friday, July 26
Pet Ownership 101 – Grades 4 to 6 – Tuesday, Aug. 6 to Friday, Aug. 9 
Campers who attend this special week will learn all about the responsibilities that come with pet ownership through interactive activities like designing an animal-safe space, matching animals with the right adoptive families, and even kitty litter relay races! To show you don’t need to adopt an animal to love them, campers can also look forward to visits with some OHS shelter animals and plenty of animal enrichment crafts they can give to the furry friends they have made over the week!