Camp Pawprint
FAQs

Camp Pawprint is designed for kids ages 7-12. We split campers up into groups based on their age. If your camper is attending with a sibling or a friend, please tell us in your registration so we know to put them in the same group. 

If your child is not 7-12 years old and you would like them to attend Camp Pawprint, please reach out to camp@giveshelter.org. In some circumstances we can make exceptions. However, all campers are expected to be able to follow directions and rules, as well as handle spending the week with campers of all ages. 

Registration for Camp Pawprint Summer Camp will be open in early March. Check our website here for updates, or sign up for our e-newsletters to get notified when we open up registration. 

Nuts

DCHS utilizes peanut butter for animal enrichment throughout the shelter, and is unable to provide a peanut-free facility. Sometimes we use peanut butter for camp activities. We are unable to make accommodations for children with severe peanut allergies. 

If your child has a minor peanut allergy (e.g. just can't ingest peanut butter, but is fine touching it), you are welcome to register them for Camp Pawprint. However, please include all allergy information in their Camp Registration. 

Animals

If your camper is allergic to any kind of household pet or other animal, please let us know in their Camp Registration. If their allergy is severe, Camp Pawprint might not be a good fit for them. Camp Pawprint includes interactions with all kinds of animals and we often visit the cats, dogs, critters, and barn. 

Other Allergies

Campers may also be exposed to hay, latex, and other allergens. We cannot control all of the allergens that might be present. Please include all allergy information in their Camp Registration and reach out to us if you have questions. 

Campers get a lot of interaction time with our classroom animals, including our guinea pigs, rats, corn snake, and Madagascar Hissing Cockroach. Campers will get to pet and sometimes hold these animals, learn fun facts about them, and care for them throughout the week. 

Campers will not be able to pet adoptable dogs, cats, or critters that are staying at the shelter. This is for the safety of our animals and campers. We have struggled with campers following this rule in the past, so please make sure your camper knows about this rule before their camp week starts.

Depending on the week's theme, we often have guest animal visitors like dogs, cats, snakes, birds, and more!

• Bring a packed lunch, at least one snack, and a water bottle each day. We have dedicated snack time once in the morning for all campers and once in the afternoon for aftercare campers. DCHS will not provide snacks to campers.
• If your child has medication that is needed at camp, please complete our medication form when you arrive at camp.
  
• Please have your camper arrive dressed for the weather in case we go outside. Campers should wear comfortable, close-toed shoes. 
• Please provide sunscreen and bug repellent for your camper. If they need assistance, please help them before dropping them off. 
• If campers bring cell phones or other items (e.g. Pokemon cards or footballs), they must be packed away with their other belongings during all activities. If these items become disruptive, DCHS staff will hold the items until the camper is picked up. 
• Please label and ensure all of your child's belongings are picked up at the end of the day.

• We expect campers to show respect and kindness toward animals, staff, presenters, and other campers at all times. We expect campers to follow all health and safety instructions given to them by counselors. Please discuss this with your child so that everyone will be ready to participate upon arrival. We will remind campers of the expectations and any repeated incidents may require further intervention according to our Policies.
• Camp Pawprint staff is not trained to handle all emotional and behavioral conditions. If your child has a one-on-one teacher or aide at school, then you must provide an aide for them to succeed at camp. We do not have the staff to provide individual attention for each child all day. If your child is a danger to themselves, other campers, staff, or animals, you will be asked to pick your camper up. We have a zero tolerance policy with violence, and any child who becomes violent at camp will be asked to leave and not return.
• If you are concerned about any behavioral needs or are able to provide more information on how your child can best thrive at camp, please provide this information during registration or reach out to us and provide more information about your child’s unique needs and preferences.
• Campers will not be able to pet adoptable dogs, cats, or critters. They will spend a lot of time with our classroom animals and sometimes guest animal visitors, but they are not allowed to touch any of the adoptable animals in other parts of the shelter. This is for the safety and well-being of both campers and the animals at the shelter.

• Drop-off is between 8:30 and 9:00 am.
• There will not be structured programming until 9:00am. We will have books, games, and coloring pages available, and campers are welcome to bring their own book to entertain themselves during this time. Campers are expected to follow the rules listed above during this time. 
  
• Guardians must come inside to sign their camper in and out. We will either be in the training room or classroom.
  • During check-in, please review the list of who has been approved to pick up the camper—we require a signed letter of consent to release your camper to anyone not on the authorized pick-up list at the end of the day.
  • If your camper takes any medication during the day (including over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen), please complete the medical form during check-in.
• Camp runs until 3:30 pm. If you purchased Aftercare when registering for camp, your camper can stay at DCHS until 5:00 pm.
  • Campers must be picked up within 15 minutes of the end of camp. After 15 minutes, there will be a $1 charge per minute late. If you are running late to pick up your child, please call or text the camp phone number listed in your reservation confirmation email.
• Anyone signing out a camper must present PHOTO IDENTIFICATION and be on that child's approved pick-up list.

• We are following Public Health of Madison & Dane County guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
• Masks are encouraged, but not required, at Camp Pawprint in most cases. We will have masks available and if we notice that your child is symptomatic, we will ask them to wear a mask during some or all activities.
• Please discuss with your child how to prevent the spread of disease, including covering coughs and sneezes, washing hands often, and social distancing.
• If your child tests positive for COVID-19 or was exposed to someone with COVID-19, please follow CDC guidelines for masking and staying home. They have a helpful tool that can be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/quarantine-isolation.html
  • If you need to cancel camp due to COVID-related illness, we will provide a partial or pro-rated credit to future DCHS education programs. Thank you for staying home if you are not feeling well!

The first day of each camp week, campers will be split into groups based on their age. They will do introduction activities, go on a shelter tour, and meet the classroom animals. 

Most days, campers will play animal-themed games, complete service projects for the shelter, visit the adoptable animals, interact with and care for the classroom animals, complete craft projects, and listen to presentations by special guest visitors. 

We try to go outside each day for snack time and lunch. When weather is bad, we stay inside for breaks and watch animal related videos inside. We have one dedicated morning snack time and one snack time during aftercare. DCHS does not provide snacks for campers. 

Though some weeks of the same theme have similar activities and guest speakers, we try to shake things up each week. If your camper attends multiple weeks, they may do some repeat activities, but each week will be a unique experience. 

Each week is a little different! Every week includes a shelter tour, time with our classroom animals, and a Friday camp celebration. We will have 3-4 different camp themes this summer. Each theme will be unique will different speakers, lessons, and activities. Weeks of the same theme will have similar activities and speakers. 

Yes! Please include this preference in your camper's registration. 

Campers can be dropped off between 8:30 and 9:00 am. Programming begins at 9:00 am. The normal camp day lasts until 3:30 pm. You can purchase aftercare for an additional fee to extend your camper's day until 5:00 pm. 

A limited amount of need-based financial aid is available. Complete our online application here to apply! Apply by 5 pm March 10th to be eligible for the second round of awards. Applications will be accepted until all funds are distributed.

Note: Completing this application does not guarantee a spot in camp. Tuition assistance funds are limited and will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

Dane County Humane Society's EIN Tax ID is 39-0806335