Thursday

Camp started with lots of friendship bracelets, feeding Carmen and the feral cats, accordion animal crafts, and games.

We had snack and started some games until our guest speaker, Garrett Levins, arrived. He is a vet at BEVS as well as a part time firefighter. Garrett came in to tell us all about his job as a vet and explain some pet first aid to us. He started by showing us several xrays of silly things that he has found inside of cats or dogs (swallowing an entire spoon, or a spongebob toy?!) Then he showed us how to properly wrap a wound or broken bone, handed out stuffed animals and the campers had a chance to try. The five different groups were asked to tell what animal it was, what it's name was, what happened, and how long it will take to heal. Videos of each group are in the google pictures link down below!

After Garret left, we made our way over to the pet cemetery and did a scavenger hunt. Campers had a blast reading all of the fun and creative names that people have come up with over time, adding up how old different pets were, and reading some of the stories or comments on the stones. After everyone finished their scavenger hunt, they collected a few pine cones that we used to make pine cone bird feeders. We will be hanging them up tomorrow.

By the end of the day, campers were begging to play more games and hang out with Carmen.
Follow this link to see all of our photos from camp this week!: https://photos.app.goo.gl/ptBuInoAZayU1hLA2

AM Session Wednesday

Follow this link to see all of our photos from camp this week!: https://photos.app.goo.gl/ptBuInoAZayU1hLA2

Our morning started off with craft activities such as pipe cleaner animals and paper plate turtles in the camp tent and feral cat feeding where we spotted Cameron, a feral cat who is all black. Since we saw him we gave him a treat of wet cat food and we are pretty sure he ate it all up on his own.

 At snack time we gave Carman, the box turtle, her own snack of 2 live juicy worms!

Once Carman and campers were fed, we headed inside the shelter for a very special surprise of kittens! These little ones just arrived at HSCC this week and will be available for adoption very soon. The campers also had the opportunity to check out the other cats and the smallies (ferrets, guinea pigs, and rabbits) available for adoption in the shelter lobby. 

Speaking of smallies, after our time in the shelter we talked about how to approach a small animal, pick it up, pet it, and set it back on the ground. Campers worked in groups to create a skit about how to handle a smallie and they shared their skits in front of the camp group. We learned it is important to always use one hand to scoop under the smallie and the other to support the back legs, pick up slowly keeping the smallie close to your body, and when setting down make sure their feet are on the ground before letting go. Always pet an animal from it's head to tail and never pick up an animal by the ears or tail. If an animal seems agitated or upset wait for a better time to pick them up when they are happy and calm if possible. 

***Reminder: Pet share Friday! Campers should bring in something to share with the camp that is pet or animal related (photo or stuffed animal)

AM Session Tuesday

Follow this link to see all of our photos from this week at camp: https://photos.app.goo.gl/ptBuInoAZayU1hLA2

Our morning began with making cat toys and feeding our three feral cats: Mr.Jingles, Aladdin, and Cameron.

After field game time, campers met a very special guest: Franklin the tortoise! She is 9 years old and weighs 52 pounds. She could reach up to 100 or so pounds by the time she is fully grown which can take up to 20 years. She lives at HSCC staff Joann Nichols home. Joann is a wildlife rehabilitator and therefore has special permission to own exotic reptiles like Franklin, which are otherwise illegal to own in Vermont. We were able to watch Franklin explore outside while eating veggies & berries. We learned about tortoise anatomy and behavior as well. Thank you Franklin for coming to visit us!

 The end of the morning we spent time with our small reptile, Carman, the box turtle who is owned by Joann as well. Some campers were able to practice calmly picking her up and setting her down in her play pen. She loves the sun and heat, so the past few days have been her favorite weather wise!

First Day of Camp!

Our morning started with decorating name tags, coloring pages, working on puzzles, and hanging out with friends.

Once everyone arrived, we made our way to the field to play some name games and other activities. After some fun, we headed back to the tent to have snack before our guest speaker arrived!

Erin Alamed, who works in the Humane Society, joined us in the dog yard to talk about her job and what it takes to keep the Humane Society running smoothly. Lucky for us, he brought a little furry friend, Shelby. Shelby is Erin's personal dog and has always been a wonderful visitor at camp. We were very excited to get to hang out with both of them and to ask Erin questions about the shelter.

After we met with Erin, we took small groups inside to have a tour of the Humane Society. We learned about the feral cats, what the volunteers do inside the shelters (and how old you have to be to volunteer: 16), what the staff does, the layout of the building, and got to meet the sallies (guinea pigs, rabbits, and ferrets) as well as all of the cats! At the end of our tour, we explored out back and learned about the three feral cats that camp out behind the shelter. Aladdin, Cameron, and Mr. Jingles are the three feral cats that the Humane Society provides shelter, food and water to, every day, year round. While we may never get to meet them due to feral cats' tendency to avoid humans, we'll know that we are keeping them full, healthy and safe! Throughout the week, campers will be helping with three main jobs: feeding the feral cats, taking care of Carmen the box turtle, and filling peanut butter dog Kongs.

By the time we went back outside, we had just enough time to hang out with Carmen the box turtle until parents came!

We're looking forward to tomorrow!

Check out all of our photos throughout the week with this link

Important Information for Camp

We're so excited for our first week of camp! Here's some important information and dates!

Camp will begin a 9 am and pick up is at 12 noon (AM Session) & begin at 1 pm and pick is at 4 pm (PM Session). For each day of camp we will have a variety of guest speakers and activities planned that revolve around different themes: dogs, cats, small animals, careers, animal safety, and learning about the shelter.  Each day, campers will need to bring their own snack and a water bottle. Thus far, we are not aware of any allergies. However, if your child has an allergy, please let us know and we can notify the group.

          
Camp will take place in the white tent in front of the Humane Society building. On rainy or stormy days, camp will not be canceled. Rather, it will take place in the classroom (when facing the front of the building, the door to the classroom is down the path to your right).

This week we will also be making cat toys, so if possible please bring in any spare toilet paper rolls and/or paper towel rolls that we can use to make these!

Dates to Remember:

AM & PM Sessions-- On Friday campers will have the opportunity to share something about their own pets or anything animal related with the group. For this they should bring something to share (pet photo(s), a favorite stuffed animal, drawing of pet/animal, etc. ). Campers can bring in their Pet Share items any day this week for us to save for the share time on Friday.

PM Session Only-- On Wednesday we will be going on a walk to Red Rocks Park. This park is located about a mile from the Humane Society. Due to the fact that there is not a lifeguard on hand, we will not be swimming so a bathing suit is not needed. Instead, we will be walking through the trails, playing games, and learning about Vermont’s wildlife. Please have your child wear comfortable walking shoes.  Drop off and pick up will still be at the white tent in front of the Humane Society building unless notified otherwise.

Get to Know Your Counselors!

We are very excited to meet your campers! The counselors wanted to tell you a little about themselves before camp starts. This year we have three counselors and two counselors in training.

Our Head Counselor, Jessica Bachand (back middle), graduated from Saint Michael’s College with a degree in Elementary Education and Psychology. Jessica has a hedgehog named Quilliam. Fun Fact: Jessica also has a black belt in Tae Kwon Do!  

Heather Lockwood (front middle) one of our Counselors. She graduated from the University of Vermont with a degree in Secondary Education and French. She now teaches French at a local middle school.  Heather has a rabbit named Ziggy whom she adopted from HSCC in February. Fun Fact: Heather taught English at a high school in Lyon, France from 2010-2011 and this is her first year at Camp Paw Paw.

Cameron Starkey (far left) is another one of our Counselors. She is going to be a senior in high school at Vermont Commons School. Cameron has a dog named Ella. Fun Fact: this is Cameron’s fourth summer at Camp Paw Paw.

Sonia Nussbaum (back right) is one of our Counselors in Training She will be starting her junior year at Mount Mansfield Union High School in Jericho in the fall.  She has a dog named Linus. Fun Fact: She attended Camp Paw Paw for two years when she was younger (and loved it!!).

Sophia Bornstein (front right) is our other Counselor in Training. She will be starting her freshman year at Champlain Valley Union High School. She has a cat named Penelope. Fun Fact: Sophia used to have 19 rabbits!

We're so excited to meet your campers - The 2017 Camp Paw Paw Staff