JHS is proud to offer a selection of educational camps for children of all ages. JHS camps provide youth 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.
Camps
Elementary Vet Camp
Date: Monday, May 25, 2026
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (extended care from 7:45 a.m. – 4:45 p.m.)
Who can attend: Children in 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 veterinarian, and SO much more! We’ll also get to meet a few JHS pets, of course.
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 Snackify. 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!
2026 Summer Camp
JHS Summer Camp is for kids in rising grades 2-8. 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 $50/week)
View our 2026 Summer Camp dates and themes.
Please take your time completing your child’s summer camp registration to ensure everything is accurate.
During “Generosity Breeds Joy,” “STEAM Unleashed,” and “Careers with Pets” weeks, campers will learn about and meet both cats and dogs. During “All About Cats” week, campers will only learn about and meet cats but may be exposed to dogs. During “All About Dogs” week, campers will only learn about and meet 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 8-12, 2026 (Theme: Generosity Breeds Joy) Sold out for grades 4-5 and grades 6-8 (waitlist available)
Register for Week 2: June 15-19, 2026 (Theme: All About Cats) Sold out for all grades. Join the waitlist.
Register for Week 3: June 22-26, 2026 (Theme: All About Dogs) Sold out for grades 4-5 and grades 6-8 (waitlist available)
Register for Week 4: July 6-10, 2026 (Theme: Generosity Breeds Joy) Sold out for grades 4-5 and grades 6-8 (waitlist available)
Register for Week 5: July 13-17, 2026 (Theme: STEAM Unleashed) Sold out for grades 4-5 and grades 6-8 (waitlist available)
Register for Week 6: July 20-24, 2026 (Theme: Generosity Breeds Joy) Sold out for grades 4-5 and grades 6-8 (waitlist available)
Register for Week 7: July 27-31, 2026 (Theme: Careers with Pets) Sold out for grades 6-8 (waitlist available); 1 spot remaining for grades 4-5 as of 3/29/26
2026 Summer Camp Themes:
Compassionate Kids – Rising Grades 2-3
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 – Rising Grades 4-5
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 – Rising 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.
Baby Got Cats – Rising Grades 2-3
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 – Rising Grades 4-5
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 – Rising 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!
Woof, There It Is – Rising Grades 2-3
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 – Rising 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 – Rising 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.
STEAMMMBop – Rising Grades 2-3
Plant a seed, plant a flower, plant a rose…learn all about the doggy nose! This week our campers will be discovering what STEAM means and how we can use this creative approach to understand animal body language, how they see the world, and more.
It’s Gonna Be STEAM – Rising Grades 4-5
And you know there ain’t no time to waste – to learn all about how STEAM concepts help shelters like JHS take care of thousands of cats and dogs each year. Campers will explore what goes into keeping pets happy and healthy – like providing enrichment – and why even art and math play a big part.
I Want STEAM That Way – Rising Grades 6-8
Is STEAM your fire? Your one desire? Then this may just be the camp for you! From engineering cat castles to promoting pets online, campers will be diving deep and turning their new found knowledge into great things for pets in need.
PetVenture Party – Rising Grades 2-3
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 – Rising Grades 4-5
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 – Rising 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.
Ambassadors in Training – High School Camp
Students in rising grades 9-12 are invited to attend our three-day summer program for high school students from June 30-July 2, 2026.
Participants will learn all about animal sheltering – from the moment an animal enters the shelter to the moment they are adopted – and help pets on their journey to find new families. We’ll discover what it takes to be an animal ambassador and how we can help both pets and the people who love them. Students will study animal behavior, learn about veterinary medicine, promote pets available for adoption, take over JHS social media, and more.
All participants will receive a letter verifying 12 hours of community service upon completion of the third and final day of the program.
Students should NOT register themselves for this program – a legal/parent guardian must complete registration.
Sold out – join the waitlistQuestions 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 2025 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].
For more information, contact the Education Department:
Camp at JHS is supported by
