Lollypop Farm Summer Camp is a unique opportunity for kids to have fun while learning about animals. A big part of the camp curriculum is meeting new furry friends, but the campers don’t just meet the animals; they also learn lots of new facts! We talked with our camp counselors about some of their favorite highlights for campers this summer.
Mini Vet Clinic
Each summer, campers explore the world of veterinary medicine through Lollypop Farm’s Klingenstein Veterinary Clinic. Clinic team members show the students around the clinic and get them excited about careers in veterinary medicine. This year, campers also got to experience clinic life for themselves with a “mini vet clinic” set up for them to play and explore.
“My favorite part of camp is always changing as we add new activities, but my new favorite is the MINI VET CLINIC! We set up our training room with a check-in desk, exam tables, kennels filled with various stuffed animals, and a ton of cool veterinary stuff for the campers to play with. There are different stations where they learn how to scan a pet’s microchip and check a pet’s vital signs. There’s even a surgery table where they can “operate” on the stuffed animals. Play is such an engaging way for kids to learn about and explore new topics, and it allows them to ask questions that they may have never thought to ask otherwise. The best part about the activity is that there are no objectives that the campers must complete in the mini-vet clinic, just a fun space for kids to let their veterinary dreams run wild. This self-directed style of learning is great because the kids get to do exactly what they want. Some kids go straight to the operating tables and scrub in for surgery, while others will man the front desk and counsel clients on their pet’s ailments. No matter what they do, the campers always leave the clinic with a deeper understanding of veterinary medicine and a desire to learn more about it.”
– Nick Kohner Humane Educator
Pig Enrichment: Rooting for Treats
A favorite activity of counselors and campers alike is the pig enrichment pools. Farm staff help campers create rooting boxes for the pigs, which are little plastic pools filled with hay and treats like veggies and fruits. The pigs have fun rooting while the kids have fun creating the rooting boxes, learning about pigs from the farm staff, and watching the pigs root around!
“I love that there is a sensory component to this activity, as the children can get their hands dirty and learn through play. After the rooting boxes are assembled, the campers follow the farm staff to whichever enclosure is listed on the schedule for the day. For some reason, the campers always want to carry the pools over their heads, which the camp and farm teams always find funny. It’s a good team-building exercise! Once the campers make it to the enclosure, we remind them of the expectations for animal interactions and review animal consent/body language – if the pig wants to be petted, they will come over and say hi. If they do not, that is okay, and we will respect that. Farm staff will then open the gates to the enclosure and instruct the campers where to put the rooting boxes. Once placed, the campers will sit down and observe what happens. The campers love watching the different pigs how they interact with one another, and how they react to having the rooting boxes.”
– Alyssa, Lead Camp Counselor
“Without fail, this activity is a major highlight of the week for campers, counselors, and pigs alike. Not only do campers get to create fun enrichment opportunities for the pigs at Lollypop Farm, but the campers also get to see the literal fruits of their labor in real-time. This activity allows campers to create immediate bonds with animals that were, likely, previously unfamiliar to them, and does so in a way that fosters interest, compassion, and fun.”
– Vince, Camp Counselor
All About Snakes
Some animals are a bit less fuzzy than others, but they deserve the same love and understanding. Campers learned about snakes in another fun lesson.
“I love how CAMP enables learning and skill development while students are outside of the classroom! One of my favorite camp activities incorporates learning in science, math, and art while empowering the campers to use teamwork and communication. Inspired by our friends at the Charleston Animal Society, the Snake Patterns activity exposes campers to the awesome world of herps (herpetology is the study of reptiles and amphibians)! During this activity, campers will learn the reason for different patterns on snakes, identify venomous and non-venomous snakes, and use their artistic ability to draw and color snake patterns.”
– Kim Ferris-Church, Humane Education Director
After learning about snakes and their patterns, campers got to meet a snake! Asajj, a corn snake and Lollypop Farm alumni came to Lollypop Farm for campers to interact with. This activity not only empowered campers to learn through play but also highlighted an animal friend who is sometimes misunderstood.
More to Learn: Junior Camp Counselors
The official relaunch of our Junior Camp Counselor (JCC) program was a truly impactful addition to Lollypop Farm Camp! This summer, seven teenagers volunteered at camp, providing support to the program and around the shelter. Selected through an application and interview process, each Junior Camp Counselor received additional training related to the job. The overall goal is to empower young people to eventually fill the shoes of a camp counselor. Providing practical skills and real-life experiences is one of the best ways to learn and grow. The JCC program this summer was a huge success! Not only did the JCCs bring additional fun and ideas to camp, but they also provided much-needed support with various jobs around the shelter (sorting donations, cleaning, doing laundry, etc.).
“She enjoyed every day that she has been helping out at camp! She comes home excited about each day and all the different activities that she has been involved in. I have noticed that she appears more confident and seems more comfortable with who she is since she started this program. She has also had the chance to meet others who have similar interests.”
– Parent of a Junior Camp Counselor
The Junior Camp Counselor program is a great way to empower students and cultivate their love of animals for years to come!
Summer campers learned a lot this summer! Although summer camp may be over this year, there will be plenty more fun in 2025, so stay tuned for more information.
