Kids Camp FAQs

If a camper becomes ill during the program, WHS staff will contact a guardian to pick up their child. To protect the health and safety of each of our campers, we have the following health policy in place for our staff, volunteers, and campers: 

• Stay home if sick | We encourage anyone signed up for a program who is sick to stay home and rest in order not to spread illness to peers.
• Fever-free for 24 hours | Any participants should be fever-free without the use of fever-reducing medication for 24 hours before attending a program.
• Respiratory viruses | We encourage participants recovering from symptoms of a respiratory infection like COVID, RSV, or flu to follow CDC guidelines, which recommend they take additional precautions for five days once they have met the criteria above. Precautions include hygiene, masks, physical distancing, and/or testing. 
• If participants see a doctor regarding their illness, please follow the doctor’s recommendation for returning to activities like programs. 

Yes, you can register by phone. Contact the youth programs team at the campus where you wish to register:

• Milwaukee Campus | 414-264-6257 x6166
• Ozaukee Campus | 262-377-7580 x5947
• Racine Campus | 262-554-6699 x6014

Registrations are first-come, first-served, and are processed when full payment is received. We are unable to hold spaces without full payment and cannot accept registrations by mail.

Camp registration fees include all materials, including take-home crafts. T-shirts are optional and may be ordered for an additional fee. Purchased T-shirts will be handed out the week of camp. To order a T-shirt, select a size and pay for it at the time of registration. See individual camp descriptions for T-shirt order deadlines.

We understand that parents and grandparents enjoy being involved with many of the activities that their kids engage in and we love that! However, for the kids to get the most out of their camp experience, we advise that parents and grandparents not stay at camp with them. This helps them build confidence and relationships with other campers. That being said, we are willing to work with your child’s individual needs and have had guardians stay for up to the first half hour of camp to help their child adjust if needed. Please feel free to contact us to discuss your options and concerns. 

Yes. Please notify us prior to camp if your child is sensitive or allergic to any foods or animals so we can make adjustments. Please be aware that WHS is not a nut-free facility. Peanut butter is often used to make enrichment items for our dogs. Our staff does their best to accommdate allergies.

Activities during camp are tailored to match the needs and abilities of specific grade levels. To maintain the best experience for all campers, we rarely make exceptions to the grade requirements for camp.

Camp hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Extended care for one hour before and after camp is available at the Milwaukee Campus only during select weeks. The fee for AM (8:00 – 9:00 a.m.) or PM (3:00 – 4:00 p.m.) extended care is $40 each per child. Pre-registration is required – sign up when reserving your child’s spot at camp.

Yes – CLICK HERE to be added to our waitlist. 

Camp registrations are subject to our cancellation policy:

If you have questions about our health guidelines or cancellations, please reach out to our team.

We will provide a full refund for cancellations made at least 30 days prior to the start of the camp session.

We will not provide refunds for cancellations made within 30 days of the start of the camp session. You may offer your registration to another child who meets the camp’s age requirements. Please notify the youth programs team if you’d like to use this option. 

The Wisconsin Humane Society reserves the right to cancel camp. In the unlikely event that we cancel a camp, we will attempt to reschedule the session. If we are unable to do so, or we are unable to accommodate your child in another camp, you will receive a full refund of the registration fee.

Yes! The Wisconsin Humane Society now has a summer camp scholarship program that provides young people in need of financial assistance the opportunity to attend summer camp. Click here for more information.

Each camp is led by a staff member from the Wisconsin Humane Society’s youth programs team, assisted by volunteers. All staff and volunteers involved in camps have had a background check. WHS staff are certified in first aid and CPR.

Yes. In addition to animal-themed crafts and games, every camp day includes time to interact with animals. Animals may include dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, birds and domestic rats. Camp staff stress the importance of safety and safe behavior when interacting with any animal. If your child has allergies or is afraid of animals, please contact our youth programs team to discuss your concerns.

During camp, we conduct both full-group and small-group activities. We rotate groups regularly to encourage kids to meet new people. Friends who attend together will have many chances to be together, but we don’t guarantee they will participate in every activity together.

Campers should bring a bag lunch and two snacks from home (non-perishable food items; refrigeration is not available). Campers should also bring a water bottle that can be refilled throughout the day. The Wisconsin Humane Society is not responsible for any lost, stolen, or damaged items, so we recommend leaving valuable items at home. If your child brings a phone with them to the program, we’ll ask them to put it away so that they can be fully present for the program.

Your child should wear comfortable clothing that he or she doesn’t mind getting dirty. Campers should wear pants or shorts, T-shirts, and tennis shoes or other closed-toe shoes. Sandals, open-toed shoes, or soft-soled shoes like Crocs are not appropriate for camp activities. Campers should dress for the weather, as we may be doing some activities outside. 

If your child will require any prescription or non-prescription medication (e.g. inhalers, EpiPen, Benadryl, acetaminophen) during camp, you must complete the medication form online via the link included in your confirmation email. You may also print a paper copy of the form and return it by the first day of camp.  

Each campus is different, so please refer to the camp information packet that you will be able to download at the time of registration. If you need a copy of the camp information packet, please contact the youth programs team at the campus where your camp takes place.