Humane Outreach through Progressive Education
CAMP H.O.P.E YOUTH PROGRAMS
Camp Counselor Applications are due January 31
Download an Application Here
2025 Camp HOPE Dates available TBA Soon
Camp H.O.P.E.
Every summer, SBC Animal Care Foundation is proud to host Camp HOPE, the only animal camp of its kind in our area. It's not just a camp, it's a nurturing ground that serves a dual purpose - teaching campers about various aspects of animal care while empowering teen counselors with leadership skills. The potent combination of learning and leadership creates a magical symphony of success.
Camp HOPE is a treasure trove of hands-on learning experiences. From understanding the basics of pet responsibility to grappling with local animal issues, the camp offers it all. Interacting with shelter animals, engaging in craft activities, and exploring ways to make a difference in the lives of community animals are the heart of the camp experience. It equips campers with vital knowledge such as dealing with lost or found animals, bite prevention, disaster readiness, and the significance of responsible pet care.
Our teen counselors are on an enriching journey of their own. They evolve into leaders, embrace diversity, and cultivate community awareness. As mentors, they build self-confidence and discover their potential. The experience gained here often becomes a stepping stone for future job applications, scholarships, and college admissions. Due to the high level of dedication required for the position, along with a passion for animals and a love for children - Camp HOPE attracts a special group of teenagers.
The result of this beautiful confluence of campers and counselors is a circle of young, passionate animal advocates poised to make a difference. Their newfound voices echo their commitment to a community that cherishes its pets.
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Camp H.O.P.E
The CAMP H.O.P.E. Program is a one week-long summer day camp held Monday through Friday at the Santa Maria Animal Center. Youths aged 9-12 are invited to attend; cost is $300 per camper. This summer camp introduces campers to a variety of hands-on learning modes to allow youth to explore career and volunteer opportunities, basic pet responsibility, important life skills and local animal issues. The camp has a variety of sessions, guest speakers, crafts, activities, time spent daily with shelter animals, as well as ways youth can make a difference in the lives of animals within their community. Children are taught what to do if they lose or find an animal, how to protect themselves from being bitten by a dog, why animals are surrendered, or strays, how our community shelters work, and how our community's Animal Control Officers act as First-responders for companion animals. They are also taught disaster preparedness, the challenges of unaltered animals in our community and the benefits of spay and neutering, vaccinating, and the responsibility of training and health care for our pets. Hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily, and Camp HOPE enjoys 72 campers annually. This all-volunteer program is directed and funded by the Santa Barbara County Animal Care Foundation.
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Camp H.O.P.E Counselors
The Camp HOPE Counselor Program is open to teens 13-18 years old. Teens who are chosen work directly with and act as mentors to Animal Ambassador and Camp HOPE campers. Teens are required to complete 20 hours of training. This program offers an opportunity for teens to learn techniques to teach, assist, and care for youth on their team, as well as learn about the challenges shelter animals experience and how they can assist to make a difference. A Camp HOPE Counselor position is considered an unpaid staff position and teens earn community service hours and can requests letters of recommendation for jobs, college entrance and scholarship applications. The camp program has an average of 15 counselors and 4-6 volunteer adult staff per camp session. This program is directed and funded by the SBC Animal Care Foundation.
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Animal Ambassadors
The Animal Ambassador Program is a free of charge day-camp program offered to the K-kids program at Adams School in Santa Maria. Held on two separate Saturdays in the Spring, it offers education similar to the Camp HOPE Program. The majority of children in this program speak English as a Second Language, therefore the camp modifies the content slightly to ensure greater comprehension and learning. This school's boundary are also within a prime target area within the City limits of Santa Maria where stray animals may be found. The Animal Ambassador Program assists to educate about the humane treatment of animals, the importance of spaying & neutering animals, animal body language & bite safety, what to do if you lose or find an animal, proper care and resources available to their family. The hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and children ride the bus to and from the shelter. The Animal Ambassador program participation is 36 students, 3 teachers plus Camp HOPE counselors and staff annually. This program is directed and funded by the Santa Barbara County Animal Care Foundation in collaboration with the Santa Maria-Bonita School District and Santa Maria Kiwanis Club.
Camp H.O.P.E
Compassion
Camp Hope will fuel that compassion for animals by helping your child learn to care for, help, enjoy and share the human animal bond with deserving shelter animals.
Fun
We have so much fun at Camp Hope! Speakers, making special treats for the animals, arts, crafts, interactive play, and much more!!
Responsibility
Camp Hope helps and teaches your child all of the responsibilities of taking care of a pet in a way they can understand.
Camp H.O.P.E Q&A
Open to youth ages 9-12 years old.
Camp introduces campers to a variety of hands- on learning modes to allow youth to explore career and volunteer opportunities, basic pet responsibility, important life skills and local animal issues.
Campers will need to provide their own sack lunch daily: LUNCH WILL NOT be provided.
The cost of Camp HOPE is $300 per camper and includes all learning supplies.
Each camp session is limited to 36 campers; Camp HOPE fills up fast, so early register is recommended.
Advance registration is mandatory and on a first come-first serve basis once completed registration and payment is received.
All refunds must be requested at least 30 days prior to the first day of camp for your session; after this time refunds will not be made.
Where and when to turn in applications
Parents can enroll their children as early as you like.
You have the option to print and mail the application or drop if off at That’s FETCH!, 3564 Skyway Drive, Suite B, Santa Maria, CA. You can find the application, when available, on this page under “Camp HOPE Application”.
You will be informed by e-mail that the registration and payment have been received. This is also an excellent way to share any questions or concerns about the camp. If you do not see an email in your inbox, giving time for the application to be received & processed, be sure to check your Junk Mail in case it is diverted there instead.
Financial Assistance:
SBCACF funds 5 financial aid requests per camp session
If is important to turn financial aid requests in early, before the allotted spaces are filled.