HERO Kids Camps

The Humane Society of Utah is proud to offer a selection of educational kids camps throughout the year to youth in 1st-6th grade. These camps provide the unique opportunity to learn more about animal welfare and sheltering, animal behavior, pet care, and kindness toward all living things.

Opt-In To Camp Updates

2025 Hero Summer Camp Scholarship Application Live Now!

Spring Camp

Registration Open

Spring into animal-related fun with this exciting school break kids camp! You’ll have the option to sign up for individual days or join us for all days offered in a week (each day will have a different animal theme).

Dates: April 1st-3rd and April 8th-10th
Time: 9 AM – 1 PM
Cost: $65 per day or $190 for all three days
Ages: 7-12 years old

Camp is subject to cancellation due to insufficient registration

2025 REGISTRATION OPENS MARCH 3RD at 9AM

*Please note that registrations are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Due to the high volume of camp requests please make sure you only register your child for one week of camp. *

1st/2nd Grades:
June 2-6th
Time: 9am – 1pm

3rd/4th Grades:
June 9-13, June 23-27
Time: 9am – 3pm (ends at 1pm on Friday)

3rd-6th Grades:
July 7-11, July 14-18
Time: 9am – 3pm (ends at 1pm on Friday)

5th/6th Grades:
July 28-Aug 1, Aug 4-8
Time: 9am – 3pm (ends at 1pm on Friday)

What To Expect

Each week of camp will be devoted to a different age group spanning first through sixth grade.
During a typical day at the week-long HERO Summer Camp, children will participate in presentations, games, crafts, and more. Each day will focus on different types of animals, many with visitors – two-legged, four-legged, scaled, and feathered – from other animal welfare groups in Utah. Campers will receive at minimum half an hour of animal interaction each day, which may include viewing, petting and/or holding.

Registration for summer camp includes access to camp photos, a t-shirt, and special animal interactions. Lunch is not provided. 

Please note that our camp curriculum is similar each year.

Scholarship applications can be found under the “Scholarships” tab below.

Fall Camp

Opens August 2025

Fall in love with companion animals by joining our humane education team for a hay-mazing day over break! We’ll play games, get crafty, and cozy up with furry friends.

Dates: TBA
Time: TBA
Cost: $60 per day
Ages: 3rd-6th grade

Camp is subject to cancellation due to insufficient registration

Winter Camp

Registration Full

There’s no better way to enjoy the cold weather than by cozying up to shelter pets! Each day will have a different theme; joining multiple dates is encouraged.

Dates: December 26th, 27th & January 2nd, 3rd
Time: 9 AM – 1 PM
Cost: $60 per day
Ages: 7-12 years

Camp is subject to cancellation due to insufficient registration

2025 HERO Summer Camp Scholarships OPEN

The Humane Society of Utah is proud to offer three, full-coverage scholarships for our 2025 Summer Camp. The scholarship application is live now. Applications are due by March 3rd, 2025 and recipients will be selected and notified on March 10th.

Scholarships will be awarded to one 1st/2nd grader, one 3rd/4th grader, and one 5th/6th grader. Please refer to the Summer Camp tab to find the dates available for your child, as each week is assigned a grade range. *Please note that if the week says full, there will still be a spot for scholarship recipients.*

The scholarship will cover the registration fee and include a free camp t-shirt. It will not include lunch or transportation.

Application Here

Questions about HERO Camp?

Please check out our Camp Handbook for answers to frequently asked questions such as camp policies and expectations, pickup and drop-off policies, reasonable accommodations, and more.

Animal Interactions

Children may have the chance to interact with animals such as dogs, cats, small mammals, birds, reptiles, and farm animals. Interactions with animals may include observing, petting, playing, training, or holding. 

The Humane Society of Utah aims to provide children with an enriching learning experience while ensuring safety at all times for the campers and the animals. We strive to achieve 30 minutes of animal interaction daily – this is subject to change depending on availability. Campers will interact with both shelter population animals and educational ambassador animals.

Allergies

Camp is not recommended for children with allergies to pets, pet dander, or nuts. Camp is held in a facility that houses over 100 dogs and cats. Dogs are given peanut butter daily and many treats contain nut allergens. For this reason, we do not recommend that children with these allergies attend camps at HSU. 

Curriculum

Our camp schedules are similar between camps and are repetitive each year. Those who attend
multiple camps should expect to meet some of the same animals, participate in the same
presentations, and engage in crafts they have done before.

Accommodations

HSU is committed to providing a safe, enjoyable experience for all campers. We are happy to work with guardians to make reasonable accommodations for campers with special physical, behavioral, emotional, cognitive, or medical needs whenever possible. If camp management consults with a camper and their guardians and determines that the needs of a camper cannot safely be met, HSU reserves the right to cancel their registration and provide a full refund.

Return to the Humane Education Page