The BC SPCA has summer camps for young animal-lovers

The BC SPCA is offering curiosity-filled kids camps this summer for children ranging from 6 to 14 years old.

The day camps, held in Kamloops, Kelowna and Castlegar, go from July 7 until Aug. 20 and range from two to five days.

Hosted by BC SPCA’s Humane Education team, children will learn all about animals – including how to interact with and care for them – through hands-on activities.

The camps are designed to be active, creative, and full of opportunities for kids to work together, build confidence, and share ideas. Kids can expect a mixture of outdoor fun, games and crafts.

"The BC SPCA camps are such a fun option to have, and my daughter absolutely loves them. She loves the activities, the leaders, and learning new or interesting facts about animals,” says one parent, whose daughter has attended multiple BC SPCA kids' camps.

"She comes back from camp full of new facts and friends. It’s so sweet – she cares so deeply about animals and gets so excited to share all the tidbits she's learned."

The camps also offer programming for older children, aged 11-14 years old.

“We realized there are a lot of parents out there who still want their kids to have something to keep busy and look forward to, but their kids might be a bit older for traditional day camps,” says BC SPCA humane educator, Keigan Hollefriend.

“This age group is fun because they can do more hands-on activities related to animal care, and we can give them a behind the scene glimpse into what the animal care centre is like.”

All BC SPCA youth programs are designed with inclusivity at the heart, creating spaces where kids of all abilities, backgrounds, and learning styles can participate fully, build confidence, and feel a sense of belonging.

BC SPCA staff are committed to offering flexible approaches, thoughtful adaptations, and a culture of kindness.

In effort to make the camps as barrier-free as possible, the BC SPCA is offering a limited number of bursaries thanks to the generosity of donors. If cost is a barrier, parents and guardians may apply for a bursary online prior to program registration.

Advanced registration is required and can be completed online.

Please note: While camps do plan for visits at the BC SPCA Animal Care Centre, it is not possible to guarantee there will be animals suitable for interaction with children. The wellbeing of both our campers and animals in care is the highest priority.