Before and After Care
Before or after care is available from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. for $40 per week. Individual before or after care sessions are $10 each.

Age Information
Camp sessions are organized by age and grade. When you register your child, use this guideline to ensure that they are in the correct group:

CAMP CURRENT GRADE
5-7 years old PreK-Second
8-10 years old Third-Fifth
11-13 years old Sixth-Eighth
   

Medication and First Aid Policies
SPCA staff and camp counselors are certified in first aid and CPR, however, employees, volunteers, or other representatives are not permitted to administer any medications or emergency medical treatments to anyone. Rescue devices can be given to a humane educator to be secured onsite in case of an emergency, but a doctor’s note must accompany the device. Humane educators can assist your child in the preparation of the device but cannot deliver any medications such as inhalers or EpiPens. If a rescue device will remain onsite at the SPCA, contact Director of Community Education Christine Davis at HumaneEducation@yourspca.org.

Cancellation Policy
Full-week summer camps: If your child is registered in advance, a spot is reserved for him or her. Before June 1, if we learn your child will not be attending camp after that spot has been reserved, a non-refundable processing fee of $50 will be retained. Following June 1, if your child will not be attending camp, a deposit equal to 50% of the camp cost can be retained up until two weeks before camp starts.

No refunds will be given 14 days prior to or after the start of any week-long camps. 

If your child is absent or is on vacation during the registered week, camp fees will not be returned or prorated.

All refund requests must be submitted in writing. Approved refunds will take a minimum of two weeks to process.

 

Additional Information

  • Each camper will receive an SPCA camp T-shirt. Additional T-shirts are available for $12.
  • Campers will interact with an animal daily.
  • Contact us at HumaneEducation@yourspca.org if you have any concerns about animal or food allergies.
  • Campers can register for multiple sessions based on their age grouping.
  • Campers must bring a lunch daily.
  • Camp will take place at the SPCA Serving Erie County located at 300 Harlem Road, West Seneca, NY 14224.

About Our Camp Counselors
The SPCA’s humane educators work with children and adults throughout the year. These educators/camp counselors are trained in First Aid and CPR.

To Register
Registration must be done online. Camp spots fill up quickly, so don’t delay!

To learn more, contact the SPCA Humane Education Department at HumaneEducation@yourspca.org.

Summer camp sessions are done for the year.

Be the first to know about future camp dates and learn about early registration before details are released to the general public! Just send an email to HumaneEducation@yourspca.org to get on the list!

The SPCA is the perfect summer destination for campers looking for hands-on animal encounters, exciting interactive activities, and a daily look into the world of animal welfare and care! SPCA Kindness Camp explores the human-animal bond in bold, creative, new ways! Sessions are offered for children ages 5 – 13 currently in PreK – 8th grade.

Campers will become animal advocates, interact with animals, and participate in activities led by animal experts!

-Registration must be done online!
-Camp spots fill up quickly, so don’t delay!
-Sibling and multi-session discounts are available!

All camps run 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. and take place at the SPCA Serving Erie County’s 300 Harlem Rd., West Seneca location. To learn more, contact Christine Davis, director of community education, at HumaneEducation@yourspca.org

Remember, the SPCA offers Kindness Camp during school breaks! Camps always fill quickly, so check our Humane Education page often for the latest news, and sign up for emails with early notice of camps and other education programs!

Register Now!

 

Adventures in Veterinary Medicine  

Ages 10 – 12: SOLD OUT

Does your school-aged child want to be a veterinarian? This academic camp provides a wonderful, age-appropriate introduction to veterinary medicine. Campers will learn about physical exams, heart rates, common diseases, and how to read X-rays. They will perform a mock surgery and take home their very own stethoscope! (If the opportunity arises, campers may have the option to observe a spay/neuter surgery.)

July 8 – 12, 2024:  SOLD OUT
August 5 – 8, 2024SOLD OUT

Cost: $305
Registration Closed


Beginner Vet Camp

Ages 6 – 8: SOLD OUT

Does your child dream of becoming a vet? This camp provides a wonderful, age-appropriate introduction to veterinary medicine. Campers will dive into the exciting world of veterinary science and discover what it takes to become an animal doctor by learning about physical exams with stuffed animal check-ups, lessons on animal body language, illness, nutrition, and more. Of course, campers will spend time with animals every day! Campers will also engage in cool activities, play games, and make fun models, and take home their very own stethoscope!

July 8 – 12, 2024: SOLD OUT

Cost: $295
Registration Closed


The World of Pets

Ages 5 – 7: SOLD OUT
Ages 8 – 10: SOLD OUT

Each day, campers will be transported to a different environment to learn about new animals and habitats around the world. They will explore different types of household pets and learn about their lives in the wild. Campers get to meet exotic animals and learn what it takes to care for them as pets. Explorers will participate in a variety of crafts, games, and activities this camp week!

July 22 – 26, 2024: SOLD OUT

Cost: $295
Registration Closed


Vet and Animal Careers 101

Ages 11 – 13: SOLD OUT

Is there a child in your life who loves animals but doesn’t know what careers exist beyond being a veterinarian? This camp is intended for campers who want to learn about and experience a behind-the-scenes look at a fully-operative animal welfare center and its accompanying careers! Through interactive lessons and featured guest speakers, campers will explore animal-related careers, learn about animal welfare issues, find out about pet-sitting and animal fostering, all while spending time with an array of animals. By the end of the week, campers will have a thorough understanding of an animal welfare center…from intake to adoption to everything in-between! (If the opportunity arises, campers may have the option to observe a spay/neuter surgery.)

August 5 – 8, 2024  SOLD OUT

Registration Closed

Creativity with Animals

Ages 5 – 7:    SOLD OUT
Ages 8 – 10: SOLD OUT

Your child will experience the magic of summer camp through art, friends, creativity, connection, and FUN! These young artists will try out different media, gain new artistic techniques, and have time to interact with our ambassador animals. They will learn about the art animals naturally make in their environments and how they incorporate nature into their art at home. Campers will also gain a deeper appreciation of the natural world’s beauty and get the opportunity to practice innovative art techniques. On the final day of camp, they will showcase their weeklong creative projects!

August 12 – 16, 2024: SOLD OUT

Cost: $295
Registration Closed


Shelter Ed-Ventures 

Ages 5 – 7: SOLD OUT
Ages 8 – 10: SOLD OUT

Join us for this paw-some camp! Each day will feature a new adventure including rescue missions, learning to train animals, and meeting cool animals from around the world. Campers will learn how the SPCA Serving Erie County works and will imagine what it would be like if they ran the shelter! This camp will have lots of animal interaction, crafts, activities, and games. Campers will leave feeling like true animal friends! Guest speakers from various departments will showcase what they do at the shelter and facilitate hands-on practice!

July 29 – August 2, 2024: SOLD OUT

Cost: $295
Registration Closed


Arts and Animals

Ages 5 – 7: SOLD OUT
Ages 8 – 10: SOLD OUT

Does your child love art and animals? This summer, we are excited to offer Arts and Animals camp, geared towards animal lovers with creative sides! This camp incorporates all new animal-themed art projects. Campers will have the opportunity to express themselves creatively through fun and impactful crafts and activities, along with hands-on interactions with dogs, cats, wildlife, farm animals, and exotic animals. We won’t hold back on the creative side, especially since it will help all animals at the SPCA! Campers will go home with a lot of creative animal art! (All art materials are included with camp fee.)

July 15 – 19, 2024: SOLD OUT

Cost: $295
Registration Closed


Critter Camp

Ages 5 – 7
Ages 8 – 10: SOLD OUT

Calling all animal lovers! Time to focus on ALL animals and not just dogs and cats. Your child will help us get our animals adopted and learn about less traditional animals such as bunnies, rats, hamsters, reptiles, and many more! Practicing empathy and compassion for all critters helps children create bonds with animals and people alike. Campers will meet adorable shelter animals, create fun enrichment items for our critters, play games, and meet new friends!

July 1 – 3, 2024

Cost: $260
Register Now!

SPCA Kindness Camp

This year, the SPCA Serving Erie County is bringing our Kindness Camp to you! We’ve designed camp options to keep kids active, entertained, and learning all the time!

For 2020, the SPCA is offering three different camp-related experiences:

KINDNESS CAMP: The Backpacks
Take-home backpacks only; non-interactive
-Art and Animals
-Back to Nature
-Service Project
NEW: Behavior & Training

KINDNESS CAMP: The Backpacks Off-Leash!
(Update 7/15: Off-Leash Registration Closed)
Take-home backpacks; some interactive, virtual teaching
-Multimedia Mutts
-Animal Helpers
-Behavior and Training

KINDNESS CAMP: The Live, Virtual Veterinary Experience
Live, virtual teaching; some take-home materials
-Introduction to Veterinary Science Camp
-Advance Vet Camp

Descriptions, suggested ages, and costs of each camp experience are listed below! You and your child are certain to find just the right camp experience that will work best for your family…or maybe you’ll participate in all three types of camps!

KINDNESS CAMP: The Backpacks

Take-home backpacks only; non-interactive. 

Bring the SPCA’s Kindness Camp to your home! Camp backpacks will provide your child with fun, engaging, hands-on activities and games that can be enjoyed at their convenience.

Backpacks include one week’s worth of materials and instructions needed for the themed activities, art projects, educational handouts, and fun swag items…all you’ll need are safe scissors, glue, and a table cover for messy projects!

The health and safety of our participants are our primary concerns, so all backpack materials have been disinfected and handled by healthy staff members wearing masks and gloves.

Backpacks will be available via curbside pickup, or can be delivered within Erie County at an additional cost. Backpacks can also be shipped at an additional cost.

CURBSIDE PICKUP
Curbside pickup will be available at the SPCA’s 300 Harlem Rd., West Seneca shelter Monday – Saturday, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.

DELIVERY
Delivery is only offered for locations within Erie County, NY.

SHIPPING
If you live inside or outside of Erie County, NY,  and  you are unable to pick up your backpack at the SPCA, you may wish to have your backpack shipped to you. Backpacks are shipped at an additional fee to be determined.

Art and Animals Camp Backpacks

Ages 5 – 12

The SPCA is excited to offer our Arts and Animals Camp Backpack. This is a self-paced ‘camp’ that comes with a backpack filled with activities, craft materials, and instructions. Animals lovers with creative sides are guaranteed to love the opportunities given to them to express themselves through fun and impactful activities and crafts. There are two Arts and Animals Backpacks available, each with different materials and crafts; choose one or both when you visit the registration page!

Cost: $30

Back to Nature: Exploring Your Backyard Camp Backpacks

Ages 5 -12

Discover the natural beauty that surrounds us! This is a self-paced, activity backpack that will let campers walk on the wild side! Through exploration, campers will learn about and appreciate the beauty of nature and our wild neighbors who reside in our neighborhoods. There are two Back to Nature Backpacks available, each with different materials and crafts; choose one or both when you visit the registration page!

Cost: $30

Service Project Camp Backpacks

Ages 12 – 15

There are many different ways to help animals, and this summer you can help animals and earn service hours for the next school year! Don’t wait until the last minute — get those hours done now! This backpack is for motivated students thinking ahead to next year,  who would like to make enrichment tools and toys to help SPCA animals as they are waiting to be adopted!

Cost: $30

Behavior and Training

Ages 8 – 12
July 27 – July 31

Have you ever wondered what your pet is thinking? Did you know most animals can be trained and how very important training is for their care? This camp is designed to teach kids about the basics of animal training and how to understand animals’ body language. Campers will learn how their favorite pets communicate, what they are saying, and what animal enrichment is. They will also learn tips and tricks to train their pets at home using the tools provided in their backpacks!

Cost: $60

KINDNESS CAMP: The Backpacks Off-Leash!
(Update 7/15: Registration Closed)

Take-home backpacks; some interactive, virtual experiences.

As in the backpack experiences above, each of these backpacks will include daily at-home, hands-on activities that can take place in your yard or right in your home…but these camp experiences also go “off-leash!” We’ll have live, virtual interactions with people and animals, on-demand videos, and additional, downloadable activity sheets! Each day, campers will virtually meet different animals, participate in interactive games and activities, and learn lots of new things! Live sessions will take place each day at 10 a.m. and last 30 – 60 minutes.

Here’s a sample schedule of a live off-leash session:

10 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.  Fun gathering game and pet parade

10:15 a.m. – 10:25 a.m. Interactive lesson (sample lesson: “Learn How to Train a Chicken!”)

10:25 a.m. – 10:40 a.m.  Craft/Activity (sample activity: “Make a Cat Mask!”)

10:40 a.m. – 10:50 a.m. Meet animals at the SPCA

10:50 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. Conclusion

Can’t make it to the live session? Don’t worry! There will be a virtual replay available for registrants after the live version is completed! This way campers can enjoy camp at their own pace! Campers will still receive ALL of the videos, activities, and camper challenges, even if they miss the live meeting component.

Each backpack in the Backpacks: Off-Leash! experience will include:

-Craft & activity supplies;
-An age-appropriate book;
Kind News magazine;
-SPCA “swag,” like a water bottle, drawstring bag, wristband, and pencil;
-Access to an exclusive Bitmoji classroom PDF sent to each camper’s email that includes self-paced videos, virtual games, and DIY activities and crafts!

Choose one camp, or choose them all! There may be some overlap, but each week will have a new theme! Remember, to participate in the “off-leash” virtual component of these camp experiences, campers will need access to a device that connects to the Internet and has Zoom conference visual and audio capabilities.

The health and safety of our participants are our primary concerns, so all backpack materials have been disinfected and handled by healthy staff members wearing masks and gloves.

Backpacks will be available via curbside pickup, or can be delivered within Erie County at an additional cost. Backpacks can also be shipped.

CURBSIDE PICKUP
Curbside pickup will be available at the SPCA’s 300 Harlem Rd., West Seneca shelter Monday – Saturday, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.

DELIVERY
Delivery is only offered for locations within Erie County, NY. If you have chosen the backpack delivery option, you must register for your child’s backpack by the Thursday before your backpack’s start date to have your item delivered in time.

SHIPPING
If you live inside or outside of Erie County, NY, and you are unable to pick up your backpack at the SPCA, you may wish to have your backpack shipped to you. Backpacks are shipped at an additional fee to be determined. Please note, package delivery is not guaranteed by the beginning of the backpack start date.

Off-Leash: Multimedia Mutts

Ages 9 – 14
August 3 – August 21
(Yep, this camp is the longest of them all!)

This camp offers a variety of multimedia fun for kids who enjoy art and theatre. In this camp, participants will create animal-themed videos, and take part in a variety of other fun projects and media camp challenges! This camp is great for returning SPCA campers and for kids who love to create! This offering does have an online component, as campers will be using Edmodo and Flipgrid.

Cost $50

Off-Leash: Animal Helpers

Ages 6 – 10
August 3 – August 7

Each camper will learn and practice the elements of responsible pet ownership by caring for his or her very own “pet plushie” for the week! Every day, we will explore a different component of care through interactive activities, games, stories, and crafts, plus, kids will virtually meet plenty of real animal friends!

Cost: $50

Off-Leash: Behavior and Training

Ages 8 – 12
July 27 – July 31

Have you ever wondered what your pet is thinking? Did you know most animals can be trained and how very important training is for their care? This camp is designed to teach kids about the basics of animal training and how to understand animals’ body language. Campers will learn how their favorite pets communicate, what they are saying, and what animal enrichment is. They will also learn tips and tricks to train their pets at home using the tools provided in their backpacks!

Cost: $60

KINDNESS CAMP: The Live, Virtual Veterinary Experience

Live, virtual teaching; some take-home materials

KINDNESS CAMP: The Live, Virtual Veterinary Experience will be a two-part veterinary camp series for kids who love animals and are interested in exploring a career as a veterinarian!

If campers attended last year’s Vet Camp, they can skip ahead to Advanced Veterinary Science Camp. If campers are new to vet camps, they can start with Introduction to Veterinary Science Camp and then decide whether to move ahead to Advanced Veterinary Science Camp!

Campers will learn what it takes to be a veterinarian through a combination of live virtual content and fun activities. They will learn how to check a pet’s vital signs, discover what heartworms are, watch an animal exam, observe a neuter surgery, and so much more.

Remember, to participate in the virtual component of these camp experiences, campers will need access to a device that connects to the Internet and has Zoom conference visual and audio capabilities. Two-hour live Zoom sessions will begin at approximately  9 a.m. each day of camp.

Sample take-home materials will include:
-A stethoscope or kid’s pet first aid/CPR book;
-Animal X-ray;
-Owl pellet;
-Plushie for demonstrations;
-Craft materials;
-Much more!

The health and safety of our participants are our primary concerns, so all take-home materials have been disinfected and handled by healthy staff members wearing masks and gloves.

Take-home materials will be available via curbside pickup, or can be delivered within Erie County at an additional cost. Materials can also be shipped.

CURBSIDE PICKUP
Curbside pickup will be available at the SPCA’s 300 Harlem Rd., West Seneca shelter Monday – Saturday, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.

DELIVERY
Delivery is only offered for locations within Erie County, NY.  If you have chosen the delivery option, you must register for your child’s camp by the Thursday before your camp’s start date to have your items delivered in time.

SHIPPING
If you live inside or outside of Erie County, NY,  and  you are unable to pick up your child’s materials at the SPCA, you may wish to have your materials shipped to you. Take-home materials are shipped at an additional fee to be determined.  Please note, package delivery is not guaranteed by the beginning of the backpack start date.

KINDNESS CAMP: Introduction to Veterinary Science

Ages 9 – 14

August 10 – August 14
9 a.m. – 11 a.m.

Cost: $120

KINDNESS CAMP: Advanced Veterinary Science

Ages 9 – 14

Prerequisite: past participation in 2019’s Veterinary Camp or in 2020’s Introduction to Veterinary Science

August 17 – August 21
9 a.m. – 11 a.m.

Cost: $120

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SPCA WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT TO HOLD REHAB VOLUNTEER INFORMATION SESSIONS, BABY SHOWER

February 12, 2018
By: SPCA Chief Communications Officer Gina Browning

The SPCA Serving Erie County Wildlife Department will hold two volunteer information sessions for those interested in learning more about rehabilitating and caring for the wildlife of our community at the SPCA. Interested parties 18 years of age or older can choose from two sessions: Tuesday, February 20, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm or Thursday, March 8, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm at the SPCA, 300 Harlem Rd. in West Seneca. The sessions will detail songbird/birds of prey, exotic, and other wild animal care, along with communication and reception needs in the all-new Wildlife Rehabilitation Center.

Reservations are mandatory! Please contact SPCA Director of Wildlife Barbara Haney to reserve your spot at one of our information sessions: 716-875-7360, ext. 220 or barbh@yourspca.org.

Also on the calendar, coinciding with the start of what we expect to be a busy wild animal baby season, is the first-ever Wildlife Baby Shower! Saturday, March 10, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm, community members are invited to the SPCA’s West Seneca site to tour the all-new Wildlife Rehabilitation Center and visit with live animals and wildlife ambassadors from the SPCA, Buffalo Audubon Society, SkyHunters USA, and the Citizen Coalition for Wildlife and Environment. There will be games and activities for children, wildlife demonstrations, and presentations with topics that cover what to do when a baby wild animal is found, being a good steward of the environment, and how to cohabitate with the wildlife around us. Guests are invited to select items from the Wildlife Wish List at YourSPCA.org and bring them to the shower!

Wildlife Baby Shower sponsors include Classic Hits 104.1 WHTT, Deliotte, Dual Print & Mail, Key Bank, Lumsden McCormick LLP, National Fuel, and Northwest Bank.

The SPCA’s Wildlife Department cares for more than 3000 wild animals of 130+ different local species annually, and fields more than 8000 phone calls each year from community members who have wildlife concerns.

More information on the Wildlife Department can be found at the SPCA’s website, http://YourSPCA.org, or by calling 716-875-7360, ext. 247.

Dear Friends of the SPCA:

You do something very important for the homeless pets in our community. Your generous support to the SPCA Serving Erie County gives animals the lifesaving care that they need in time for it to matter. You give animals who are alone, frightened, and hurt a second chance at a safe and happy life.

You’re amazing. Countless animals are resting with their new families because of your support.

And here’s some great news: Delta Sonic Car Wash, a long-time SPCA donor, has offered to match – DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR – every new gift made before the end of November, up to $25,000!

This is a tremendous gift to the homeless and neglected animals who will be served by this support, animals like Sunny, a one-year-old Chihuahua named Sunny with a broken pelvis after being hit by a car, healed through the efforts of our veterinary staff and your support. We tended to Willow, a three-legged Retriever mix with five newborn puppies. We cared for Apollo, a sweet, two-month-old kitten with an umbilical hernia. These are just a few of the thousands of many lives you’ve helped save.

According to SPCA Chief Development Officer Jennifer Gurz, “We are beyond grateful to Delta Sonic for continuing to be one of our most generous corporate partners. By matching donations made to our Holiday Fund Drive, they are ensuring these gifts will go twice as far and even more animals can be saved. The holidays will definitely be brighter for the animals at the SPCA this season thanks to our friends at Delta Sonic!”

Together, we rescue and heal animals and then find them amazing, new families. They depend on us to do all we can to create a community – and a world – where they are respected, safe, and loved. Thank you for being part of that.

To contribute to this Delta Sonic matching dollar challenge, please make a donation before November 30.

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