Summer Camp 2024

The NHSPCA is excited to announce our 2024 Summer Camp!

Children attending our animal focused camps learn first hand how a busy shelter works. They help animals in need through hands-on activities and leave as compassionate animal advocates with a deeper understanding of animal rescue, animal behavior, training and caregiving.  Our days are filled with animal interaction, chores, outdoor games, arts, crafts, gardening and summer fun. 

When: Our 5 day camp sessions run from June 24th – August 23rd. Camp hours are 9:00am-3:00pm Monday through Thursday and 9:00am-12:00pm on Fridays. Age groups vary week to week.

  • Ages 6-7:  June 24-28 and July 1-3
  • Ages 8-10: July 8-12, July 15-19, July 29-Aug. 2, Aug. 5-9, Aug. 12-16
  • Ages 11-12: July 22-26 and Aug. 19-23

Where: Camp will be held at 104 Portsmouth Ave. in Stratham, NH. The NHSPCA is not directly affiliated with other SPCAs in the state; Please confirm that your camper is able to attend camp at this location before registering.

Cost: Each week of camp is $350* regardless of age (*Exception for 4th of July week, which is a short week and the price is $210).
If you are in need of financial assistance, you can apply for a scholarship by completing this application: https://nhspca.org/humane-education-camp-scholarship/

How to Register: Registration for Summer Camp will be available online ONLY starting February 1st, 2024 at 9:00 am. This year, families may register for UP TO 2 weeks, if interested. However, please keep in mind that the activities we do at camp often repeat throughout the summer! If your camper will not enjoy doing things twice, signing up for 2 weeks may not be the best fit. Registration for summer camp is always first come, first served.  If the sessions for your child’s age range are full, you can sign up for our waitlist by emailing education@nhspca.org. 

Have more questions about if our Summer Camp is a good fit for your child? See the FAQ section below or email us at education@nhspca.org. 

Important information before registering your child: The NHSPCA provides care for animals with a wide variety of personalities, behavioral and medical needs, many of which may be housed in areas not visible to the public (including campers). It is important for parents and campers to understand that we cannot guarantee campers will be able to see and/or interact with animals beyond our classroom ambassador animals during their time at camp. 

As a working animal rescue, we aim to reduce added stress to the shelter and classroom animals. To accomplish this, we require all visitors to follow directions and have calm bodies and quiet voices when around animals. Any campers repeatedly engaging in what we feel is unsafe or disruptive behavior toward peers, staff, or animals in our care may need to be dismissed from camp with no refund provided.

While we welcome and encourage children of all backgrounds and ability levels to have the opportunity to participate in our programs, due to limited staff and for the safety of all, we ask that any child who requires 1:1 social-emotional/behavioral support from a trained adult while at school be provided with support from a trained adult while at camp. It is the parents’/guardians’ responsibility to provide this adult support, and the parents/guardians must secure and provide a background check for the attending adult a minimum of one week prior to the start of the child’s registered camp session. Without a cleared background check, the child and adult will not be able to participate.   

Cancellation and Refund Policy:
There is a $50 service and materials fee for registration cancellation, if you cancel more than 7 days from the start of your child’s scheduled week of camp. If you must cancel less than 7 days prior to the start of camp, all fees are non-refundable and will result in a donation of the total fee to the NHSPCA. 

Waiver: I recognize that in conjunction with my child’s attendance at the New Hampshire Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NHSPCA), my child will be in contact with and may be allowed to interact with a variety of animals. I understand that despite all precautions made, there is a chance that my child may contract a disease or illness by handling the animals. I further understand that there is a chance that my child may sustain a scratch or bite while handling animals. I understand that the above is illustrative of the types of risks involved in participating in programs at the NHSPCA but is in no way a complete list of possible risks. By checking the YES box when registering, I do hereby absolutely and unconditionally release and discharge the NHSPCA, including its employees, successors, assigns, directors, officers, and agents from and against any and all claims, obligations and liabilities of any nature relating to or arising out of my child’s participation with the NHSPCA camp program.  I certify that I am the registered child’s legal parent or legal guardian.   

Registration and refund policy: By checking the ”YES” box when registering, I do hereby acknowledge that I have read and agree to the “Important information before registering your child” as well as the “Cancellation and Refund Policy” stated on the main page.  

Photo Release:  By checking the ”YES” box when registering, I authorize the NHSPCA to use photos of my child engaging in program activities for media purposes. 

Covid Protocols: As always, we will continue to monitor Covid-19 trends. While masks are not currently required for Humane Education programs, masking requirements may be updated at any time at the discretion of the NHSPCA staff.  

REGISTER FOR AGES 6-7 HERE

REGISTER FOR AGES 8-10 HERE

REGISTER FOR AGES 11-12 HERE

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What kinds of things will campers do at the NHSPCA summer camp?

    We do all kinds of activities throughout our camp weeks! All our activities have an animal theme and are intended to teach our campers how to be responsible pet owners. Activities include things like animal care for our classroom ambassador animals (cleaning and feeding), crafts, games, tours to our adoption center and barn, visits from different staff members, and making things for our adoptable animals like treats and enrichment toys. 

  • Are the adults at camp background checked?

    Yes, all adults running our camp and working directly with the campers are background checked.  

  • Will my child get to play with puppies and walk dogs?

    Probably not. We take in animals with different backgrounds and behavioral needs and work hard to ensure that any animal interactions are safe and positive for both our campers and our adoptable animals. Only certain staff and adult volunteers are trained and permitted to walk dogs. 

  • What kinds of animals will my child be interacting with?

    Most direct animal interaction will be with our classroom ambassador animals (small mammals and rodents), who we know are healthy, friendly and accustomed to being handled. Depending on what animals are available for adoption, we may have the opportunity to interact with a friendly cat or kitten, or friendly farm animals. A lot depends on what animals we have in our care during the week your child is at camp. While we will do our very best to offer your child an interactive and diverse animal experience, we cannot guarantee any interactions with our adoptable animals.

  • Can you accommodate children with special needs?

    Yes, we can.  Children who require one-on-one assistance in school will need to provide a one-to-one aide at summer camp. We appreciate having as much information about your child’s needs as possible to ensure a safe and positive experience for all our campers and animals. Please keep in mind that for the safety of our campers and our animals, children must be able to maintain calm bodies and quiet voices and must be able to follow directions! 

    The aide (parent or otherwise) is required to submit a background check to the NHSPCA in advance of camp. The parents are responsible for arranging a background check through the Department of Labor. Be sure to plan several weeks lead-time if requesting through the mail. 

  • My child has allergies; can he or she attend your camp?

    When registering, we will request information about your child’s allergy so that we can do our best to accommodate. However, children with allergies to pets, dander, or hay may have a harder time participating.  

  • My child is a very active, rough and tumble, and energetic. Is this a good camp for them?

    Probably not. Our camp requires calm, quiet, gentle children who can keep themselves under control for the safety and comfort of our animals. If your child has a lot of energy throughout the day and needs lots of frequent movement, this may not be the right fit for them. 

  • My child is mature for their age; can they join a camp for older kids? OR My child is immature for their age, can they join a camp for younger kids?

    Generally, no. We work hard to make sure activities are developmentally appropriate for the age-ranges in each group. If you have additional questions, please contact our Humane Education Department at education@nhspca.org.  

  • Does my child need to bring a lunch and snack?

    Yes, all campers must bring a snack, a lunch, and water.  We do have water bottle filling stations for them to refill if needed.

  • Do you go on any field trips?

    We do not go on any field trips outside of our campus. There are plenty of areas around our newly expanded campus to keep us busy! 

  • Do the campers go outside?

    Yes! We try to spend time outdoors every day, weather permitting. 

  • Why can’t my child wear flip-flops or sandals to camp?

    For safety reasons, we require closed-toe shoes for all campers. If your child arrives at camp without the appropriate footwear, we may have to restrict him/her from doing certain activities. 

  • Why does my child need to wear his or her t-shirt every day?

    We know it’s a hassle to try to keep one shirt going for the whole week, but it really helps us and the other staff to easily recognize a camper around our campus. We appreciate your efforts with this! 

For more information on programs for children contact our Humane Education Department at 603-772-2921 x 113.

Or email us here

Summer Camp is so much fun!