spcaLA: Friends for Life

Humane Education

Camp FAQ

Please read the following information carefully.

What are the spcaLA Friends for Life Camp?

What time is the spcaLA Kids Camp?

All spcaLA camps run from 9:00am until 3:00pm, Monday through Friday.

Drop off time begins at 8:45am

Pick up time is 3:00pm sharp. If you are more than 15 minutes late picking up your child, there is a $25.00 fee. If your child is not picked up by 3:30pm, in accordance with California State law, your child will be considered abandoned and the police will be called to escort your child home.

How many campers are allowed in each week? And how many camp counselors are there each day?

Spring Camp

Each session holds 12 campers and there will be, at minimum, 2 camp counselors each day. Our camp counselors have extensive background checks and Department of Justice fingerprint clearance prior to working with the campers.

Summer Camp

Our paid staff and camp counselors all have extensive background checks and Department of Justice fingerprint clearance prior to working with the campers. The counselors to student ratios are as follows:

• 6-7 year olds: Each session holds 12 campers. There will always be, at minimum, 2 counselors each day plus 2 Counselors in Training (CITs).
• 8-10 year olds: Each session holds 20 campers. There are 3 camp counselors each day, plus 3 Counselors in Training (CITs).
• 11-13 year olds: Each session holds 20 campers. There are 3 camp counselors each day.
• 14-17 years olds (CITs): We accept 5 CITs per week. CITs are overseen by paid summer staff and attend an orientation prior to working as a CIT for summer camp.

How much does camp cost?

The cost is $250.00 per child to attend camp. Currently, there are no scholarships available to attend camp. If you are interested in sponsoring a camper, or starting a scholarship fund, please contact Melanie Wagner at MWagner@spcaLA.com or (310) 676-1149, ext 228.

Are refunds given?

Yes. We understand that life happens and gets in the way of the best laid plans. Full refunds will be given, minus a 10% processing fee, if the cancellation is made no later than two weeks prior to the session start date.

If the cancellation is requested within two weeks of the session’s start date, no refunds will be given. However, if there is someone on the waiting list that is able to fill the last minute cancelation or you are able to find another attendee for that spot, we may issue you a full refund minus the 10% processing fee. Please speak to the camp director, Melanie Wagner at MWagner@spcaLA.com or (310) 676-1149, ext 228, with any questions regarding refunds.

What are the requirements to attend camp?

There are few non-negotiable requirements that campers must meet and follow in order to attend camp.

• All campers must be of the minimum age required for camp. You may register a child that is younger than the minimum age as long as they are the correct age by the time their camp session starts.
• You must fill out and electronically sign the liability waiver in order for your child to attend camp.
• Once at camp, children participating in dog training activities MUST have long pants and closed-toed shoes. Capris and tall socks do not count as long pants. This is a safety precaution and must be adhered to in order to dog train. Your child may bring a pair of pants and leave them with the counselors for the duration of the session.
• Campers must bring their own sack lunch daily.
• Campers are expected to treat all animals with respect and kindness. Counselors will be teaching campers about the proper ways to act around animals. If a camper hits, hurts, or threatens a shelter animal or other camper this may be grounds for immediate dismissal from camp. No refunds will be given if the removal from camp is a direct result of the child’s behavior.

How do I register for camp?

Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Online registration is the preferred method of registration. To register online, you must pay with a credit card. We do not accept checks via online registration.

During registration you will have to sign a liability waiver. Please be sure to read this in its entirety prior to completing registration. A copy of the liability wavier will be attached to your confirmation packet.

Please remember to register early! If you are registering more than one child at the same time, please be sure to list the names of all campers that you would like to attend the same week. We will do our best to accommodate groups, but the earlier you register the better chance your group will have to attend the same week.

Once you click on the link to the registration form you will be prompted to fill out required information. If you have any problems during the registration process, please call Melanie Wagner at (310) 676-1149, ext 228, during business hours Monday–Friday or email MWagner@spcaLA.com.

After completing the online registration a confirmation email will be sent to you. Please check your junk mailbox if you do not see it in your inbox.

Some things to keep in mind when deciding to enroll your child in camp

Shelter dogs are obviously the favorite component of this camp. All shelter dogs are put through a rigorous assessment in an effort to find the safest and most ideal candidate to put with children. The amount of “camp friendly” dogs that are involved in camp may vary. In order to keep all campers and dogs safe, we cannot guarantee the use of shelter dogs throughout the program, although we make every effort to find as many suitable shelter dogs as possible.

Participating in spcaLA’s Friends for Life Kids’ Camp means that each and every camper will be working hands-on with shelter animals in some capacity. Although the spcaLA staff takes the precautions necessary to ensure your child’s safety and health, there is an inherent risk that occurs when working with shelter animals. These risks include but are not limited to: bodily injury, illness/parasites, unforeseen allergies, etc. By signing the liability waiver you are accepting that you understand these risks.

If your child has any ailments, restrictions, severe allergies, physical limitations, severe disabilities or any other condition that may limit his/her participation in camp, please discuss this with the Director of Humane Education, Melanie Wagner (310) 676-1149 ext. prior to registration.

We do not discriminate and will do our best to accommodate any camper. However, there are certain activities that may restrict participation or jeopardize a campers safety and we want to make sure that all campers have a fun and safe time.

If you have general camp questions you may email HumaneEducation@spcaLA.com and someone from the department will be in touch with you, as soon as possible. If you have questions regarding registration, payments, safety or health concerns, please contact the Director of Humane Education directly. You may reach Melanie Wagner at Mwagner@spcaLA.com or (310) 676-1149, ext 228.