Summer Camp Registration is OPEN!
OHS Summer Camp – Salem Campus
Oregon Humane Society’s summer camps are a wonderful way for campers to spend a week developing and strengthening their love, appreciation, and knowledge of animals. We value bringing humane education, animals and campers together because youth who learn to be kind and compassionate to animals grow into more compassionate adults, helping to create a more humane society.
Our award-winning camp program is both educational and fun. Camp programming is designed to teach children age-appropriate animal welfare topics and curriculum. Daily activities might include hands-on interactions with shelter animals, educational games, arts and crafts projects, guest speakers, and more.
Our interactions with shelter animals depends on the safety and availability of safe and confident pets. Although we may not be able to socialize with animals every day, we provide a well-rounded program for learning and fun. OHS summer camps are not appropriate for campers who are allergic to or fearful of dogs, cats or rabbits. OHS is not a nut-free facility.
OHS is a small nonprofit organization and our camps are kept small, safe and manageable. Our camps are primarily run by volunteers and experts in the field of animal welfare. We are unable to increase the size of camps or add more and we sell out quickly.
Location: Salem Summer camps held at OHS Salem Campus, 4246 Turner Road, Salem, 97317
Ages: For campers in grades rising 3rd-8th. Camp curriculum is designed to be developmentally appropriate for these specific age-ranges. We do not register youths outside of their grade level except to accommodate neurovariance. If this applies to your child, please let us know at the time of registration.
Camp fee: $325. Camp tuition includes a camp t-shirt. It does not include before/after care.
Times: Camp Programming begins at 9:30 a.m. and doors will open at 8:45 a.m. for drop off. There will be free choice time before 9:30 a.m. Camp will end at 4 p.m.
Before/After Care: OHS camps is offering the option to purchase extra hours for pick up and drop off. Drop off will start at 8 a.m. and pick up will end at 5 p.m.
Attire: Be sure your camper is dressed appropriately for a day in the shelter and animal interaction. Closed toed shoes, long pants and shirts that cover the midriff and shoulders are required for safe pet interactions. Campers who are not wearing required clothing will be unable to interact with animals.
Allergies and Fear: OHS summer camps are not appropriate for campers who are fearful of dogs, cats or rabbits. OHS is not a nut-free facility. Because of our interactions with animals and the environment of the shelter, we are unable to accommodate animal and/or peanut allergies.
Animal Interactions: Socialization with animals will be based on the availability and safety of appropriate shelter pets. We may not touch animals every day.
Lunch and snacks: will not be provided. Please pack healthy lunches and snacks for energy and fun.
Our camps sell out quickly: If you would like your name added to a wait list for a sold out camp, please email [email protected] and provide your name, phone number and the specific session of the camp you are interested in attending, in an email below.
2025 Camp Dates
(please choose a session based on your child’s grade in Fall 2025)
Session 1 July 7-11 for Grades 3&4
Session 2 July 14-18 for Grades 5&6
Session 3 July 21-25 for Grades 6-8
Session 4 July 28-Aug 1 for Grades 3&4
Session 5 Aug 4-8 for Grades 4-6
Session 6 Aug 11-15 for Grades 3-5
- Cancellations more than 31 days prior to their camp week’s start day will receive a full refund minus a $35 Administration fee.
- Cancellations 21-30 days prior: 75% of tuition is refundable.
- Cancellations 11-20 days prior: 50% of tuition is refundable.
- Cancellations 0-10 days before camp: no refund given
- No partial refunds will be provided for missed camp days.
All scholarships have been awarded for 2025. Please check back next year for camp scholarship opportunities. Thank you!
See below to apply
Oregon Humane Society is seeking Junior Camp Counselors to volunteer for the youth summer camps at our Salem campus. Successful candidates are enthusiastic, responsible, self-motivated, and positive communicators. A warm, creative, and compassionate attitude is needed.
RESPONSIBLE TO:
Senior Counselor and Camp Assistant
GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
Jr. Counselors are assigned to a group with 5-6 campers and help the campers stay safe and have fun on a daily basis. Jr. Counselors help lead groups to each of their daily activities. As role models, Jr. Counselors create one-on-one relationships with campers and develop a supportive group environment for each session. Jr. Counselors are expected to engage and socialize with campers through conversation, games, stories, and take a lead role in directing the behavior of their campers throughout the day. Jr. Counselors will support the staff and animal wranglers at each activity station by managing camper behavior and assisting with instructional tasks.
SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Provide supervisory care for a group of 5-6 children of similar ages as a team with other Jr. Counselors.
- Assist the camper group in working together: help campers have fun, practice animal safety, solve problems, ease conflicts, and learn to appreciate each other and the environment.
- Fulfill group obligations to the whole camp: help with set-up and clean-up activities, arrive on time to activities, create a positive culture for the group.
- Be a positive role model for your campers.
- Keep the kids safe and help them practice responsible behavior
- Interact with campers and animals during stations.
- Be aware of where your campers are at all times.
- Foster positive relationships among camp staff, campers and camper parents.
- Share in designing, leading and carrying out free-time activities.
- Actively engage in OHS’ mission to Create a More Humane Society and to create an inclusive camp.
HOURS:
Vary depending on weekly camp schedule. Commitment is Mon-Fri of chosen sessions, for 8 hour daily shifts. Junior Counselor shifts are scheduled somewhere between 8:00am-5:00pm Monday – Friday. A Mandatory training session is required prior to camp sessions starting.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- Age: Rising 9th grade and above
- Sincere respect and passion for animals and children.
- Care and understanding of creating a positive learning environment.
- Ability to work well in a small community and have fun!
- Possess punctuality, flexibility, energy and enthusiasm
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Previous animal experience
- Previous childcare experience
- Previous camp experience
