The Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center

Animal Kids Camp is our day camp for kids who love animals. We offer camp in the summer and during the local winter and spring breaks. If your kids want to spend time with animals and learn even more about them, this camp is for them!

Spend hands-on time with our pet adoption center cats, dogs, puppies, and kittens. Learn fun and new facts about our animals. Participate in animal-themed crafts, activities, and games. Hear from fantastic guest speakers who work with animals. Make new friends who love what you love – the animals, of course!

Animal Kids Camp Info:

Camp session is from 8:00am – 1:00pm, Monday thru Friday
All camp sessions are held at our Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center location.
Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis.
$50 registration fee
Camp is for children ages 6 -13
Youth Program Assistant is available for teens aged 15-17

Winter Camp 2023

We are excited to announce that Animal Kids Camp- Winter Session will are one day sessions at $50 per day. Attend all or one!

Day 1 (Dec. 27) - So, You Wanna Be a Vet?: If your student loves pets and wants a future career in animal care, this is the day for them! Come learn about what vets and vet techs are, the different tools they use, and how they perform physical exams of our pets. 

Day 2 (Dec. 28) - Beauty from the Inside Out: Come join us for a science-filled day of fun, as we learn the anatomy of our pets and explore how unique they really are! 

Day 3 (Dec. 29) - Get Their Tail Waggin’: Happiness is important to our pets’ health and wellbeing. Have you ever wondered how we keep our pets happy? Join us as we talk about the importance of enrichment. 

Day 4 (Jan. 3) - Let's Cut to the Chase: What is spay or neuter surgery? Why is it important? Come learn about the small procedure that makes a big difference. 

Day 5 (Jan. 4) - Say What?: Did you know our pets can communicate with us? Join us as we learn about how our pets communicate and the importance of socialization. 

Day 6 (Jan. 5) - Part of Their World: Join us as we spend a day in the life of a veterinarian. Students will learn how vets perform physical exams on pets and have the opportunity to write medical observations of our pets around the center. 

For more information about Animal Kids Camp, email or call 951-344-1032

Youth Program Assistant (YPA)

The YPA position is a great opportunity for teens age 15-17 looking to gain volunteer experience with children and animals! As a YPA, participants will assist our camp staff in leading engaging week-long sessions of Animal Kids Camp. YPAs will help to facilitate crafts, games, lessons, and animal meet-and-greets throughout the camp session.

APPLY TO BECOME A YPA

TIPS AND EXPECTATIONS

Hello, MSRPAC Kid Campers and families! Are you ready for a hands-on humane adventure, teaching kindness, mindfulness, social responsibility, and compassion? To ensure that you have a fabulous, Animal Kids Camp experience this year, please read the tips and expectations below prior to attending camp.

BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS FOR ANIMAL KIDS CAMP

• Calm, appropriate behavior around animals; do not pursue an animal if they walk away or hide
• Soft voices around animals, or normal speaking voices both inside and outside
• Remain seated with a lap blanket during PAC Paws, either reading or listening
• Follow the directions of staff and Leaders
• Stay with your assigned group
• Treat others with kindness and respect
• Choose kind and appropriate words; no profanity
• Attempt all Camp activities to the best of your ability
• Hands are for helping, not hurting (and wash them thoroughly before lunch!)
• Walk at all times
• Pick up after yourself (supplies returned to bins, trash/recycling disposed of, chairs pushed in, etc.)
• Report any injuries (even a scratch) to the Humane Educator
• Follow the Kids Camp dress code every day

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations must be received and confirmed a minimum of two weeks prior to the first day of the registered camp session in order to receive a refund a $15 refund fee will be assessed to each cancellation.

ZERO TOLERANCE

We have a zero-tolerance policy regarding fighting, bullying, and put-downs, theft or vandalism, or harmful treatment of animals. Acts of this nature are grounds for immediate dismissal from the Kids Camp session.

What is the price of Kids Camp?

Each session of Animal Kids Camp is $240. People for Paws members save 10% - visit https://petsadoption.org/index.php/get-involved/people-for-paws to become a member today.

Where is Kids Camp?

Animal Kids Camp is held at 6165 Industrial Ave, Riverside, CA 92504. Drop-off and pick-up will be in our covered activity yard.

What should Campers wear?

All Campers must wear a Kids Camp T-shirt (provided on the first day of camp; Animal Kids Camp shirts from prior years also permitted), socks and closed-toe shoes with rubber soles (no sandals, Crocs, or dress shoes), and pants, leggings, or long shorts that end right above the knee. Depending on the day’s activities, Campers not wearing appropriate pants and footwear may not be able to participate or may be sent home. Campers should dress for active stretching and sometimes messy activities. Please apply sunscreen before Camp, as we will be both inside and outside during the day. For safety reasons, please do not wear dangling jewelry. Campers will put on their name tag each day upon arrival.

What should Campers bring?

We ask that all campers bring a labeled reusable water bottle and their lunch. Refrigeration is not available for lunches, so please pack with an ice pack. Please label all belongings and clothing with your Camper’s name or initials. Please DO NOT BRING anything of value to Camp (including cell phones, cameras, toys, video games, or iPods) or any large items (backpacks, coolers, anything bulky), since storage is very limited. Phones, lunches and other items campers bring will be stored in their own cubby. Campers are not permitted to use cell phones during Camp activities, except during lunch. MSRPAC is not responsible for any damaged, lost or stolen items.

When is Kids Camp?

Summer Animal Kids Camp sessions run Monday – Friday, 8am – 1pm. Hours and days of Spring and Winter camp may vary, please look out for information regarding those camp sessions’ times and dates. Before or aftercare is not available and there will not be supervision before camp starts or after camp concludes. Campers should be dropped off and picked up promptly for camp each morning and afternoon. The parent/guardian (of those individuals designated on your registration form) must sign your campers in and out each day and may be asked to show identification. If you know your camper will need to attend Animal Kids Camp for a shortened day, please make prior arrangements with the Humane Educator.

What about lunch?

Lunch is not included for camp session. Please have your child bring their own lunch.

Will Campers spend time with pet adoption center animals?

Yes. Camp includes interactions with our Center residents, but that is only one part of the camp experience. Kids Camp also includes lots of other animal-related activities, such as special guest speakers and visiting animals, critter crafts, learning activities, games, and service projects for the animals. Time in our Adoption Center is limited, closely monitored, and restricted as necessary to ensure the safety of all animals and Campers. Students will have daily opportunities for contact with a variety of animals, including shelter animals and visiting guests, but should not expect to spend significant time with animals waiting for adoption.

What are the behavior expectations for Camp?

While at Camp, all students are expected to treat other Campers, Volunteers, MSRPAC staff, and animals with respect and kindness. Behavior expectations for all participants will be reviewed with Campers on the first day of each Camp session, but please go over them at home first. Since Campers will be around animals, it is imperative that they listen to and follow all instructions given by staff and Volunteers. If your child has difficulty following verbal or written instructions, they may not be a good match for Kids Camp. Campers who are consistently unable to follow these guidelines may be asked to leave Camp for the day or may be dismissed for the remainder of the session. No refunds will be available to campers who are dismissed for behavioral reasons.