Special to Iredell Free News
Parents of preschoolers to eighth-grade students can now register their children for Rescue Ranch’s 2020 Critter Camps, daily spring and daily/one-week summer camp sessions offering hands-on educational experiences with animal interactions.
Critter Camps are designed to be fun, educational camp experiences for children who love animals. All camps involve daily interaction with animals, games, crafts and STEM activities. Campers will learn how to care for animals, provide enrichment, and to promote humane animal care to others.
In addition, and weather depending, campers will explore the Ranch’s walking trails and have access to the 10,000-square-foot inclusive Earnhardt Family playground.
Assisting with each camp session are Rescue Ranch’s permanent residents and animal ambassadors that include steer, turkeys, miniature horses, potbellied pigs, a variety of parrots, guinea pigs, snakes, lizards, tortoises and more.
The 2020 Critter Camp schedule is as follows:
Spring Break (March 9-13)
For kindergarten through fifth-grade students, the spring break session is available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The cost is $40 per day or $175 per child, per week. Extended care is available from 8 to 9 a.m. and 4 to 5:30 p.m. for $10 per day.
Habitat Explores – Have you ever wondered why you see polar bears in the arctic but not in the desert? Or why you don’t see reptiles playing in the snow? This week campers will learn about different habitats and the animals that live there. Throughout the week campers will play games and complete crafts related to each habitat.
To register for the Spring Break Critter Camp, visit rescueranch.com/programs/camps/.
Summer Camps
For preschool children age 4 or 5, there are two sessions available from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Adventure Land – Just like you, animals go on adventures too! Campers will travel through the animal kingdom to learn what life is like for different animals. Each day, children will have animal interactions, games, crafts, and sensory stations. The cost is $100 per child, per four-day session and the dates include June 29-July 2.
Animal Olympians – If the animal kingdom hosted its own Olympic games, who would be the fastest? Who would be the strongest? Campers will find out these answers and more as they learn about and interact with the Rescue Ranch Animal Ambassadors and participate in their own Olympic games. The cost is $100 per child, per four-day session and the dates include July 13-16.
For children entering kindergarten through fifth grade, there are six themed, weekly sessions available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Adventure Land – Just like you, animals go on adventures too! Campers will travel through the animal kingdom to learn what life is like for different animals. Children will have animal interactions, games, crafts, and sensory stations each day. The cost is $190 per child, per week and the dates include June 8-11 (daily camp offered), June 15-19 and June 22-26.
Animal Olympians – If the animal kingdom hosted its own Olympic games who would be the fastest? Who would be the strongest? Campers will find out these answers and more as they learn about and interact with the Rescue Ranch Animal Ambassadors and participate in their own Olympic games each day. The cost is $190 per child, per week and the dates include July 20-24, July 27-31, August 3-7 (daily camp offered).
For students entering sixth through eighth grade, there is one themed weeklong session available July 13-17 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The cost is $200 per child, per week.
Future Veterinarian – Campers will have mock clinics with local veterinarians throughout the week while learning about the diverse facets of veterinary life and the care they provide to our furry friends.
For campers with special needs, entering first through sixth grade, there are two weeklong, half day, sessions available July 6-10 from 9 a.m. to noon or 1 to 4 p.m.
These sessions are open to children with disabilities including but not limited to, autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and other special needs that require more supervision and a smaller group setting in order to have a successful camp experience. This camp is taught by certified teachers with exceptional children experience who are first aid and CPR certified.
Adventure Land – Just like you, animals go on adventures too! Campers will travel through the animal kingdom to learn what life is like for different animals. Children will have animal interactions, games, crafts, and sensory stations each day and time on an on-site, fully accessible playground. The cost is $25 per child, per week. No additional discounts are available this week as the cost has been reduced thanks to donor support.
To register for this session, please contact Stacey Foreman at (704) 768-0909 or at stacey@rescueranch.com.
Discounts
A 10 percent discount applies for any preschool, elementary or middle school Summer Critter Camp if registered by March 15 or a 5 percent discount if registered by May 1. Also available is a $10 sibling discount when registered together. For some sessions, extended care is available from 8-9 a.m. and 4-5:30 p.m. for $10 per day.
Registration
Registration will remain open as long as space is available. For more information on Rescue Ranch’s Critter Camps or to register, visit rescueranch.com/programs/camps/. Payment plans and partial scholarships are available.
About Rescue Ranch
Rescue Ranch is a nonprofit animal welfare organization founded by Krissie Newman and her husband, NASCAR driver Ryan Newman. The 87-acre facility offers school, Scout and camp programs, birthday parties and private tours, which promote humane education through hands-on learning. Rescue Ranch is located in Statesville.