394 Kids Attended spcaLA Friends for Summer Camp™ in Summer 2018

Camp teaches responsible pet ownership, kindness to animals

Los Angeles, CA – Today marks the last day of Friends for Life Summer Camp™ at Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles (spcaLA). This summer, Friends for Life Camp hosted 394 kids, ages 8-17 and offered 20 camp scholarships at the spcaLA PD Pitchford Companion Animal Village & Education Center in Long Beach.

Friends for Life Summer Campers

Friends for Life Camp started in 2004 and has been going strong every summer since. Camp focuses on all things animals including kindness to animals, responsible pet ownership, and animal welfare issues. Campers participate in obedience and agility training with shelter dogs; make animal related crafts; and participate in animal themed games and activities. Every week of camp ends with a carnival where kids play games, win prizes, take pictures, and eat delightful treats.

“We love that kids come back year after year,” said Denisse Bernal, Director of Humane Education for spcaLA. “And once they are 14 years-old, they can stay connected by participating in our Counselor-In-Training program. It’s also great to see several ‘camp dogs’ get adopted by the friends and families of campers who help us spread the word about how wonderful they are.” The shelter dogs that are selected to participate in camp are highly socialized, receive excellent training, and generally make wonderful additions to almost any family. This year, 18 dogs participated in camp, all of whom have been adopted.

In 2016, spcaLA began a need-based scholarship for campers with a donation from Marci Baron. Since then, 44 children have benefitted from the scholarship fund, which has begun welcoming contributions from the public. Those interested in donating to the 2019 Friends for Life Scholarship fund can contact spcaLA at 323-334-4485.