Camp Pawprint
FAQs

Camp Pawprint is designed for kids ages 7–12. Single-day camps are smaller, and we do not 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. Please include this preference in your camper's registration. For summer camp, we separate children based on age groups. Similar to schools, we separate twins into separate groups unless otherwise requested. 

If your campers have larger age gaps, such as 11 and 7, the oldest will be placed in the group with the group that reflects the age of the younger child. 

When registering, please ensure that your camper's age will correspond to the above age limits. 

If you are looking for programming for youth ages 12-14, please check out our new Camp WildSide, hosted by our Wildlife Center.

Registration for Camp Pawprint Summer Camp opened on January 2026. Check our website here for updates, or sign up for our e-newsletters to get notified when we open up registration for future camps. 

Nuts and Hay
 

DCHS utilizes peanut butter and hay for animal enrichment throughout the shelter, and is unable to provide a hay and peanut-free facility. Sometimes we use peanut butter and hay 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, corn snake, rats, and Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches. 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 closed top 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. Anything left will be donate to our thrift store one week after the end of camp. 

• 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 for 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. You are the expert on your child's unique needs.
• 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.

If you have a camper attending Camp WildSide, you must bring and pick up each camper at the designated camps that they are signed up for. 

On 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 the 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 day and 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. We prefer to separate children based on age groups. Similar to schools, we separate twins into separate groups unless otherwise requested. 

If your campers have larger age gaps, such as 11 and 7, the oldest will be placed in the group with the group that reflects the age of the younger child. 

Campers can be dropped off between 8:30 and 9:00 am. Programming promptly 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. 

We offer Camp Pawprint through the year. The major difference between summer camp, spring break, and day camps is the number of children attending. Spring Break and Day Camps have much more limited spots, generally averaging about 10-15 campers. We base our schedule around the surrounding area's school time off. 

Day camps and spring breaks are run by our Humane Educator - Camp Focus, and we do not have any camp counselors present. Campers attending day camp and spring break do all activities together through the day, regardless of age. 

Summer camp sees 40-45 campers each week. Campers are divided into groups of similar age ranges, with a Camp Counselor leading them throughout the day. 

Yes! Our building is one single level with no stairs, built in 2000. Our hallways are wide, and we can arrange our rooms to accommodate mobility devices such as wheelchairs, walkers, and crutches. The parking lot of our building has 4 dedicated accessible parking spaces. Currently, the building does not have automatic door openers. We have four accessible bathroom stalls (one gender-neutral, one men's, two women's).

Please communicate with us closely before camp to let us know of your child's needs. Our staff are skilled in many areas, but you are the expert on both your child's physical and emotional needs. We are happy to work together to ensure your child enjoys camp.

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. Additionally, we are unable to assist with bathroom, medication distribution, or anything that involves close contact with the child. 

Applications are currently open for the 2026 year for Summer Camp Only. 

A limited amount of need-based financial aid is available. Complete our online application here to apply! Apply by 5 p.m. on January 24th to be eligible for the first 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.

For Summer Camp - Refund or transfer requests must be sent to the Humane Educator at [email protected]. DCHS will use the scale below to determine the refund or transfers available for each request. 1. UP TO 24 HOURS AFTER PAYMENT, full refunds may be granted, less a $25 administration fee. 2. BEFORE MARCH 1, a 50% refund may be granted or registration may be transferred to another week camp if available. 3. MORE THAN THREE WEEKS prior to the start of your registered camp, a registration may be transferred to another week of camp if available. 4. THREE WEEKS OR FEWER, no transfers, credits, or refunds will be issued. 
 

For Day and Spring Break Camps - Refunds may be granted up to 24 hours after payment has been submitted, less a $25.00 administration fee, if requested in writing to the Humane Educator at [email protected]. After 24 hours from payment submission, fees are non-refundable but the event reservation may be transferred to another date in some situations.

Dane County Humane Society reserves the right to cancel events due to various circumstances. In the event that DCHS cancels an event, registration may be transferred to another date or future DCHS education program of equal value.

• We are following Public Health of Madison & Dane County guidelines to prevent the spread of respiratory virus and COVID-related illnesses.
• 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.
  • If you need to cancel a camp due to a respiratory virus or COVID-related illness, we will provide a partial or pro-rated credit to future DCHS education programs by request only, within one week of the end of the event. Thank you for staying home if you are not feeling well!

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