Are you looking for enriching and educational activities for children that foster compassion, responsibility, and a love for animals? In Colorado, the Dumb Friends League offers a wide array of animal care programs specifically designed for kids of all ages. These programs provide unique opportunities for children to learn about animal welfare, responsible pet ownership, and the incredible world of animals, all while having fun and making a positive impact. From summer camps to reading programs and scout badges, there’s something to ignite every child’s passion for animal care.
Summer Camps: Immersive Animal Experiences for Young Explorers
For children in 3rd to 7th grade, the Dumb Friends League’s summer camps are an unforgettable adventure into the world of animal care. These one-day and week-long camps, including the popular Critter Camp and Career Camp, are designed to instill compassion and respect for all living beings. The goal is to provide a rewarding, hands-on learning experience that equips kids with the knowledge to make responsible decisions about animals and people in their lives.
Critter Camp: Perfect for children in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades, Critter Camp offers a deep dive into the daily lives of animals. Campers will participate in exciting activities, learn about different animal species, and understand the importance of animal welfare. It’s a fantastic way for young animal lovers to spend their summer break.
Career Camp: Extending the experience to 6th and 7th graders during the summer, Career Camp provides a glimpse into the diverse career paths within animal welfare. This camp introduces older kids to various roles in animal care, from veterinary technicians to humane educators, inspiring them to consider future careers that make a difference for animals.
To ensure as many children as possible can benefit from these enriching experiences, the Dumb Friends League kindly requests that each child be signed up for only one summer session. Financial assistance is available; please contact Lauren Pipis at [email protected] before registering to inquire.
Critter Camp 2025 Sessions:
- Session 1: June 9th – June 13th, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM, Buddy Center, Castle Rock
- Session 2: June 23rd – June 27th, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM, Buddy Center, Castle Rock
Career Camp 2025 Session:
- Session: July 21st – July 25th, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM, Leslie A. Malone Center, Denver
Tales for Tails: Reading with Animals for Skill Building and Socialization
Tales for Tails is a heartwarming program that benefits both children and shelter animals. Students from 1st grade through high school can practice their reading skills in a relaxed, non-judgmental environment while providing crucial socialization for equines, dogs, and cats at the shelter. Reading aloud to animals helps children build confidence in their reading abilities, and the animals benefit from the attention and calm presence of the young readers.
Tales for Tails Events:
- Reading to Cats! March 7th, 2025, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM, Leslie A. Malone Center, Denver
- Reading to Dogs! March 11th, 2025, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM, Buddy Center, Castle Rock
- Reading to Horses! March 29th, 2025, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM, Harmony Equine Center, Franktown
- Reading to Cats! April 11th, 2025, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM, Leslie A. Malone Center, Denver
- Reading to Horses! April 12th, 2025, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM, Harmony Equine Center, Franktown
- Reading to Dogs! April 15th, 2025, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM, Buddy Center, Castle Rock
- Reading to Dogs! April 22nd, 2025, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM, Leslie A. Malone Center, Denver
- Reading to Cats! May 9th, 2025, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM, Leslie A. Malone Center, Denver
- Reading to Dogs! May 13th, 2025, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM, Buddy Center, Castle Rock
- Reading to Dogs! May 20th, 2025, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM, Leslie A. Malone Center, Denver
- Reading to Horses! May 24th, 2025, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM, Harmony Equine Center, Franktown
Youth Volunteer Day: A Day of Service and Animal Interaction
Youth Volunteer Day offers students aged 8-11 a comprehensive experience by combining three popular programs into one exciting day. Participants will engage in Pawsitive Service Day activities, participate in Tales for Tails, and enjoy a lunch break in between. This program provides a well-rounded introduction to animal shelter work and the various ways kids can contribute to animal welfare. Students should bring a book to read for Tales for Tails, wear closed-toe shoes for safety, and pack their own lunch.
Youth Volunteer Day Events:
- March 18th, 2025, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM, Buddy Center, Castle Rock
- March 25th, 2025, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM, Leslie A. Malone Center, Denver
- April 18th, 2025, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM, Leslie A. Malone Center, Denver
- April 25th, 2025, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM, Buddy Center, Castle Rock
Scout Programs: Earning Badges While Supporting Animal Welfare
Scout troops and packs in Colorado have the unique opportunity to earn Dumb Friends League badges through dedicated programs. These 2-hour events include a tour of the Leslie Malone Center, a hands-on service project benefiting shelter animals, and an interactive lesson on animal welfare. It’s a rewarding way for scouts to learn about community service and animal care while earning a special badge. The DFL Badge Scout Day is priced at $15 per scout.
DFL Badge Scout Day at the Shelter and Pet Care Badge Scout Day at the Shelter are both designed for Scout Packs or Troops and have a session length of 2 hours. The Pet Care Badge Scout Day focuses specifically on earning the Pet Care badge and is available for $10 per scout.
Homeschool Day at the Shelter: Educational Outreach for Homeschool Groups
The Dumb Friends League extends its educational reach to the homeschool community with a specialized 2-hour program. Homeschool participants will tour the Leslie A. Malone Center, complete a service project for shelter pets, and learn essential dog safety tips. This program provides a structured and engaging learning experience for homeschool students interested in animal welfare, priced at $10 per scout.
Humane Education Lessons: Customizable Learning Experiences for All Ages
The Dumb Friends League offers a diverse range of Humane Education lessons tailored to various age groups, from pre-kindergarten to adults. These lessons, lasting from 30 minutes to 1 hour, can be conducted at shelter or hospital locations, or even at schools. Delivered through the lens of compassion and respect, these lessons cover a wide spectrum of topics related to animals and animal welfare. They empower individuals to make responsible decisions concerning both animals and people in their lives.
Examples of Humane Education Lessons:
- Animal Abuse and the Violence Connection (Grades 9-12, Adults): Explores the cycle of abuse and the link between animal cruelty and other violent crimes, Colorado animal laws, and prevention strategies.
- Bully Prevention (Grades 1-8): An interactive lesson focusing on empathy and bullying towards animals and people.
- Careers in Animal Welfare (Grades 6-12): Introduces students to various animal-related careers beyond veterinary medicine, such as educators, investigators, and kennel technicians.
- Caring for Pets (Grades K-8): An interactive game to learn about the needs of pets and responsible pet care.
- Cat Behavior 101 (Grades 6-12, Adults): Explores feline behavior, challenges faced by cats, and the health benefits of cat ownership.
- Click & Learn: Behavior Training for Pets (Grades 3-12, Adults): Teaches positive reinforcement clicker training techniques.
- DFL 101 (Grades K-12, Adult): Introduces the Dumb Friends League, its role in animal welfare, and how individuals can help.
- Our Wild Neighbors (Grades 3-8): Interactive game about local wildlife and how to support them in their habitats.
- Pet Care Jeopardy (Grades 5-8): A fun quiz to test pet care knowledge about various animals.
- Pet Learning Theory (Grades 9-12, Adults): Explores how pets learn through classical and operant conditioning.
- Pets vs. Wild Animals: What’s the Difference? (Grades K-2): Teaches safe wildlife observation and the distinction between wild and domesticated animals.
- R-E-S-P-E-C-T (Preschool): Basic steps for safely meeting a pet and respecting animal feelings.
- Respecting the Icky, Ugly & Not so Cuddly (Grades K-5): Challenges perceptions of less cuddly animals and promotes respect for all creatures.
- Safety Around Cats (Grades K-5): Teaches how to safely interact with cats by understanding their body language.
- Safety Around Dogs (Grades K-8): Teaches how to safely interact with dogs by understanding their body language.
- Tales for Tails (Grades K-12): Reading aloud to friendly ambassador dogs to improve reading skills in a judgment-free setting.
- The Sad Truth Behind Puppy Mills (Grades 9-12, Adults): Exposes the realities of puppy mills and the importance of responsible pet sourcing.
- Too Many Pets, Not Enough Homes: Overpopulation (Grades 2-12, Adults): Discusses pet overpopulation and the importance of spaying and neutering.
- Understanding Pets: Why They Do What They Do (Grades 9-12, Adults): Explores pet body language and behaviors inherited from their ancestors.
Get Involved in Animal Care Education Today!
The Dumb Friends League’s animal care programs for kids in Colorado offer invaluable opportunities for young people to learn, grow, and contribute to animal welfare. Whether through summer camps, reading programs, volunteer days, scout activities, homeschool programs, or humane education lessons, there are numerous ways for children to engage with and learn about animals. Nurture your child’s love for animals and instill lifelong values of compassion and responsibility by enrolling them in one of these exceptional programs today!
Contact us to sign up for any of these enriching animal care programs and embark on an educational journey that will make a difference in the lives of animals and children alike.
