Animals are our Specialty,

Nutrition - Campers will learn about the diets of different animals and how proper nutrition keeps them healthy. They will tour camp’s feed rooms and compare various types of dog food to understand how diet impacts an animal’s well-being.

Parasites - Campers will discover internal and external parasites that affect animals. They will collect stool and skin samples, prepare slides, and use microscopes to analyze them for parasites and other abnormalities.

Watch a Live Surgery - A veterinarian will visit camp to perform a live surgery, typically a spay or neuter for rescued animals (cats and dogs). Campers will observe the procedure and have the chance to ask the vet questions about their career and the surgery process.

Wound Care - Campers will practice basic first aid for animals, including how to assess, clean, and bandage wounds. They will also learn about common medications used to treat injured animals.

Internal Anatomy - Campers will gain hands-on experience by participating in a mouse dissection. They will identify major organs, their locations, functions, and how they connect within the body to better understand animal anatomy.

Introductions - Many campers come to camp knowing which animal they would like to adopt and some are deciding when they get here! The first day is spent getting to know all the animals in a camper's chosen area, learning the basics of how we take care of the animals at camp, and how to handle/interact with their animal. At the end of this class they'll decide which of the animals they want to adopt!

Feeding and Cleaning - Each animal has a special diet at camp. Campers are learning what their animal eats at camp to help match what they would be eating in the wild. Campers are also now assuming the responsibility of maintaining the cleanliness of their animal's enclosure.

Health and Care - Campers learn about preventative health care for animals, from nail trimming and teeth cleaning to larger procedures like spaying and neutering. They also explore the costs and responsibilities of keeping animals healthy.

Animal Enrichment - Animals in captivity need ways to prevent boredom and encourage play. Campers visit our Enrichment Room and make toys and treats for their adopted animals. We love to see campers engaging with their animal and making complex enrichment for them.

Ecology and Conservation - Campers discover how their adopted animal interacts in the wild and how human actions impact wildlife. The week ends with a chance to say goodbye and reflect on what they’ve learned.

Fish and Frogs - Campers will learn what the 5 types of chordata are - fish, mammals, reptiles, birds and amphibians. They will visit the nature center to identify each type as well as learn about the special features of fish.

Mammals - At camp, we have more mammals than any other kind of animal! There are so many cool and interesting things that can be learned about all the mammals we have at camp! From hoofstock to canines, campers will be learning and interacting with camp's largest and smallest creatures!

Birds - Birds are one of the Earth's most fascinating creatures! At camp, we have 20 different species of birds! Campers will learn why a parrot's foot is different than a chicken's and why a bird's beak is the ultimate tool for survival!

Creepy Crawly Critters - Our Creepy Crawly room is where campers will spend most their time learning about amphibians, spiders, scorpion, millipedes, and more. But there is even more to see outside. Campers will look for dragonflies and walking sticks. They're easy to find..if you know where to look!

Reptiles - Reptiles are very popular at Cub Creek. During this class, campers will learn about the cold blooded animals and take them outside for sunbathing! Out Black Throated Monitor even likes to be taken for walks!

Animal Enrichment Different animals present different behaviors based on how they would act in the wild and their enrichment needs to match that in order to be effective.Learn the basics of preventing animal boredom in captivity through simple activities and new scents and sounds.

Bird Play Learn about the geniuses in a feathered body that live here. Parrots are known as some of the smartest animals in the world, making meeting their enrichment needs very important to maintain.

Animal Training Objects are not the only way to make an animal use their brain. Campers will learn operant and classical conditioning by teaching animals how to learn tricks and participate in their own veterinary care.

Feeding Fun For Animals Being served your food on a silver platter sounds great, until it happens every day of your life. In the wild, much of an animal’s day is spent finding food and we look to mimic that to allow the animals to exercise more.

Animal Grooming Grooming is not just a beauty treatment for our pets! Grooming helps keep animal skin, fur, and nails healthy. Campers will wash and brush a camp animal and also learn about other grooming tasks such as nail trims and dust baths.

Lemurs and Wallabies - Campers visit Lemur Island and wallaby country for special encounters with our lemurs, cavies, and wallabies.