Camps

JHS is proud to offer a selection of educational camps for children of all ages. JHS camps provide children with the unique and invaluable opportunity to learn about animal welfare and sheltering, animal behavior, helping pets in our community, and the importance of kindness, compassion, and generosity.

Spring Break Camp

Wednesday, March 19, 2025 – Friday, March 21, 2025
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (extended care from 7:45 a.m. – 5:15 p.m.)
Grades 3-8

Children in grades 3-8 are invited to “spring” into furry fun and learning at the Jacksonville Humane Society’s 2025 Spring Break Camp!

Campers will study animal behavior, try out some clicker training, make all kinds of fun enrichment items for the animals at JHS like treats and toys, help promote pets for adoption, plant catnip and cat grass, and SO much more!

All campers will receive a certificate verifying 9 hours of volunteer service at the end of camp.

Snacks and Meals:
Campers MUST bring a lunch and a water bottle. One snack will be provided to all campers each day of camp courtesy of our friends at SmartBox. Snacks offered typically include things like popcorn, Popcorners, and veggie straws.

What to Wear:
Campers should wear comfortable clothing that can get messy. Closed-toe shoes that cover the foot entirely are required. NO CROCS, PLEASE!

Elementary Vet Camp

Monday, May 26, 2025
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (extended care from 7:45 a.m. – 4:45 p.m.)
Grades 3-5

Aspiring veterinarians and vet techs in grades 3-5 are invited to join us for our Elementary Vet Camp and find out exactly what it takes to become a vet!

Campers will have the opportunity to tour and observe in the JHS hospital, study animal body language, learn and practice hands-on veterinary skills, participate in a Q&A with a JHS veterinarian, and SO much more! We’ll also get to meet a few JHS pets, of course.

What to Wear:
Campers should wear comfortable clothing that can get messy. Closed-toe shoes that cover the foot entirely are required. NO CROCS, PLEASE!

Our Elementary Vet Camp is generously sponsored by:

If you use code JHS10 to sign up for Pup O’clock, you’ll get 10% off your subscription AND JHS will get a $5 donation each month!

Summer Camp

JHS Summer Camp is for kids in rising grades 1-8. Please choose the grade your child will be entering in the fall.

Cost: $300/week

Time: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (extended care available for an additional fee)

View our 2025 Summer Camp dates and themes to learn more about what each theme entails.

During “Generosity Breeds Joy” and “Careers with Pets” weeks, campers will work with both cats and dogs. During “All About Cats” week, campers will only work directly with cats but may be exposed to dogs. During “All About Dogs” week, campers will only work directly with dogs but may be exposed to cats.

Weeks with the same theme will feature the same activities and content, ensuring a consistent experience for all campers.

Register for Week 1: June 9-13, 2025 (Theme: Generosity Breeds Joy) Sold out for grades 3-5. Spots still available for grades 1-2 and grades 6-8.

Register for Week 2: June 16-20, 2025 (Theme: All About Cats)

Register for Week 3: June 23-27, 2025 (Theme: All About Dogs) Sold out for grades 3-5. Spots still available for grades 1-2 and grades 6-8.

Register for Week 4: July 7-11, 2025 (Theme: Generosity Breeds Joy) Sold out for grades 3-5. Spots still available for grades 1-2 and grades 6-8.

Register for Week 5: July 14-18, 2025 (Theme: All About Dogs) Sold out for grades 3-5. Spots still available for grades 1-2 and grades 6-8.

Register for Week 6: July 21-25, 2025 (Theme: Generosity Breeds Joy) Sold out for grades 3-5. Spots still available for grades 1-2 and grades 6-8.

Register for Week 7: July 28-August 1, 2025 (Theme: Careers with Pets)

2025 Summer Camp Themes:

Generosity Breeds Joy

Campers will work with both cats and dogs during these weeks.

Compassionate Kids – Grades 1-2

What does it mean to be compassionate, caring and kind? How can we show compassion to animals and neighbors in our community? Learn more about our JHS motto “Generosity Breeds Joy” while you interact with our furry friends.

Adventures in Generosity – Grades 3-5

There’s nothing better than helping an animal or a friend! If you love to help people and pets, this is the camp for you. We will learn about the best ways to give back to our pets at home, pets in need and pets in the community while spending time with the dogs and cats at JHS.

Joy in Giving – Grades 6-8

Can kids make a difference? Can they volunteer, give, advocate and change the world? Absolutely! This week, join us for an exploration into the world of animal welfare as we learn the different ways you can provide help right here in Jacksonville for pets in need.

All About Dogs

During these weeks, campers will only work directly with dogs but may be exposed to cats.

Woof, There It Is – Grades 1-2

Upside down and inside out, we’re going to learn what dogs are all about! This week our dog-loving campers will learn about the canine body, dog body language, how to interact safely with dogs and helping dogs in our community.

Barktastic Voyage – Grades 3-5

Come along and ride on a barktastic voyage into the world of dogs! Explore dog behavior and training, learn about a dog’s body and how to help dogs at JHS and in the community.

Canine Paradise – Grades 6-8

Have you been spending most of your life living in a canine paradise? This is the camp for you! Whether we’re learning dog training techniques, designing our own dog food, creating commercials about dogs in need of homes or helping the pups at JHS in other ways, you’re sure to have a barking good time.

All About Cats

During this week, campers will only work directly with cats but may be exposed to dogs.

Baby Got Cats – Grades 1-2

If you like big cats and you cannot lie, then we want YOU to sign up for this week of camp. Join us as we learn all about cats and kittens – how to take care of them in our own homes and in the community. We’re not kitten you, it’s going to be meowvelous!

Gettin’ Kitty with It – Grades 3-5

On your mark, get set, let’s go – cat pros! This week we’re in the cat business and we want you to join us. Let’s learn about the feline body, cat body language, and helping cats at JHS!

Feline’s Delight – Grades 6-8

What you hear is not a test, we’re felines on the beat! If you could spend all day watching cat videos on YouTube, then it’s time for you to experience that in real life! Learn about cats from nose to tail and gain skills to help cats in our community!

Careers with Pets

During this week, campers will work with both cats and dogs.

PetVenture Party – Grades 1-2

This week we will take things to the next level. Whether you joined us for a previous week of camp or are brand new, everyone is welcome this week as we venture into what it means to work with animals and be a helper at home.

A JHS Exploration – Grades 3-5

Whether you joined us for a previous week of camp or are brand new, you can join us as we explore the many different careers at JHS and how each one impacts the dogs and cats at JHS and in our community.

#WorkWithPets – Grades 6-8

Maybe all you know is that you want to work with animals when you grow up – awesome! That’s all you need. Whether you joined us for a previous week of camp or are brand new, you can join us for an in-depth look at a variety of animal-related careers at JHS and beyond.

Questions about JHS camps?

Please check our Camp Handbook for answers to frequently asked questions such as which types of activities are included, how camp is structured, drop off/pick up protocols, medication info, dress code for campers, camper expectations, etc.

Check out our 2024 Summer Camp recap to learn even more about what to expect at JHS camps.

If you would like to schedule a one-on-one tour of the JHS facility with our Director of Development during camp drop-off and pick-up times, please contact us at [email protected].

Do campers get to interact with animals?
Yes, campers interact with both cats and dogs while at camp! However, the level and amount of interaction each day depends on factors that permit an appropriate pet to be available. In the event that an appropriate pet is not available for hands-on interaction on a given day, campers may spend time with the animals at JHS in other ways (for example, observing staff members training dogs, reading to dogs in front of their kennels, or passing out treats). View a sample camp schedule.

JHS Camp Registration Protocol:

Allergies: Camp is not recommended for children with allergies to pet dander or nuts. Camp is held on a campus that houses more than 200 dogs and cats. Dogs are given peanut butter daily and many treats contain nut allergens. For these reasons and the safety, health and well-being of your child, we do not recommend that children with these allergies attend camps at JHS.

Ages: For Summer Camp, JHS recommends that parents use “rising” grades (example, a child who is finishing 2nd grade should be registered as a “rising 3rd grader” since they’ll be entering 3rd grade the next school year). However, you know your children best and we encourage you to follow parental instinct. We reserve the right to make a professional judgment and move a camper to a more appropriate age group after consulting with you. For day camps, Spring Break Camp, and Winter Break Camp, please use your child’s actual grade level when registering them.

Cancellation: Cancellations must be made at least two weeks prior to the camp start date and must be received in writing via email to qualify for a 50% refund. A processing fee may occur for refunds.

Camp Scholarships:

JHS is proud to offer a limited number of camp scholarships annually thanks to the generous support of the Jim & Tabitha Furyk Foundation. For more information about our Furyk & Friends: Lucky’s Pack scholarships, please email us at [email protected].