Page 20 Animal rescue camp introduces youth to exotic animals By Katie Mayer Making new friends at summer camp is fun – especially when they’re furry friends. At the Arizona Animal Welfare League and SPCA summer camp programs, youth get to pet and learn about more than 40 exotic animals ranging from snakes and lizards to chinchillas and rabbits to even frogs and tarantulas. “We have everything from cute and fuzzy to creepy and crawly,” said Michelle Ramos, director of education for the AAWL and SPCA. The nonprofit organization offers nine weeks of summer camps each year for children ages 6 to 17. The littlest campers participate in activities such as making dog treats, arts and crafts and playing with puppies, while older campers learn veterinary medicine and animal husbandry. All of the youth learn about responsible pet ownership and receive wildlife education. Kendra Wardon, 16, a student at the Arizona Agribusiness & Equine Center in Paradise Valley first attended camp when she was 7 years old and now volunteers there. “I always loved animals and grew up with animals, but this was one of my first experiences with exotic animals,” Wardon said. Wardon said she someday hopes to work in veterinary sciences or to join the military and train K-9s. “I definitely knew that I wanted to work with animals, but going to this camp really solidified it and gave me an end goal,” Wardon said. Ramos said about 75 percent of the camp activities are spent with animals. In the teen programs, campers can choose to focus on veterinary sciences, where they learn how to perform medical examinations on animals and even dissect animals, or animal husbandry, where they learn to care for animals, prepare their diets and maintain their habitats. “We try to keep them interactive and fun,” Ramos said. “We mesh crafts and games and mix those with other activities as well as downtime.” The AAWL and SPCA first launched camp programs in 2001 and they have grown significantly over the last few years. Today, the camps host an average of 700 kids each summer and the organization offers many other programs and camps throughout the year. “We get a lot of students who return to us because they are excited and can’t get enough of the animals,” Ramos said. One of those is 8-year-old Mesa resident Kyrsten Najera, who first started attending camps when she was 6. “It’s hard to find good camps that keep the children’s interests,” said Kyrsten’s mom, Debbie Wood. “When we found this one, it just fit with what she enjoys doing and she is always doing something different each week.” The camp is also supporting a good cause. Fees collected for camp programs not only cover the cost of camp, but also help subsidize part of the animal shelter, Ramos said. “It’s teaching children and adults to protect the environment and to care for animals and advocate for animals,” Ramos said. “It’s teaching students empathy for the creatures around them.” At just 8 years old, camper Kyrsten has already taken that message to heart. She regularly researches animals available for adoption through the organization’s website and educates her friends’ families about their options. “Two of her classmates have gotten animals from the organization due to Kyrsten telling their parents about them,” Wood said. “This camp gives an awesome chance for children to be exposed to animals and learn about how to care for them and help them.” The AAWL and SPCA summer camps are five-day camps that run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. with the option of aftercare. The camps are held at 15 N. 40th Place in Phoenix. For more information on the qualifications to attend and registration details, go to aawl.org. Youths in various camp programs pet and play with animals. Photos submitted by the AAWL and SPCA. live love arcadia Gain an elite education in leadership. Conceived in the military and applied to the business world, this program introduces advanced competencies to young leaders. These five day camps are packed with fun, engaging and inclusive workshops. Lead and support teams as you compete in real-time strategy simulations; develop the foundation that will give you an edge in school, college or work! 2015 Advanced Leadership Camps Leadership Development for Young Leaders – Ages 15-20 EXECUTIVE COMMAND® PRESENTS: June 1 – August 14, 2015 1500 N. Priest Suite 123 Tempe, AZ 85281 Register today. Call (480) 251-3147 or visit: executive-command.com

5 DIRECTORY OF LISTINGS Ultimate camp CLS/CCL SUMMER CAMP CLS/CCL Summer Camps have something fun for every age – for 8 to 9 weeks starting June 1! Taught by our certified teaching staff . Enroll in Preschool Camp for children ages 3 – 5 (visit our website www.clsphx.org). Day Camp is also available for students in grades K – 8. For information, visit cclphoenix.org. Come for the week or drop in for the day! For more information, call 602-957-7010 or visit our website. clsphx.org FRIENDLY PINES CAMP – PRESCOTT Nestled in the tall, cool pines, Friendly Pines offers 30+ activities: horseback riding, swimming, waterskiing, rock climbing, ropes course, archery, sports and more. Excellent campers to staff ratios. Professional background checks and drug tests on staff . ACA accredited. 74 years of experience. An Arizona tradition since 1941. Overnight camp. Ages 6-13, co-ed. Session 1: June 14 – 27, Session 2: June 28 – July 11, Session 3: July 12 – 25. One week sessions also available. Call 1-888-281-CAMP or visit friendlypines.com. friendlypines.com FLIP DUNK CAMP Not only are we the BEST trampoline park in town, but we also offer a one of a kind camp experience for ages 3 and up. Whether you choose our “Wiggles and Giggles” camp for 3-4 year olds or our “Going Bananas” camp for 5-up, your kids will enjoy a wide selection of activities. Activities include arts and crafts, open jump, relay races, gymnastics and a chance to meet the Phoenix Sun’s Gorilla. Call 602-277-0067 or visit flipdunksports.com. flipdunksports.com CHILDSPLAY ACADEMY Kids can learn from the actors you see on the Childsplay stage! Youth ages 4-17 work with top local actors, directors, choreographers and professional teaching artists. Classes focus on age-appropriate topics, musical theatre, popular children’s literature and more! All classes work on acting techniques and are a great way to gain skills while developing confidence, making friends and, most importantly, HAVING FUN! For more information, call 480-921-5751 or visit our website at childsplayaz.org. childsplayaz.org ADVANCED LEADERSHIP CAMPS Gain an elite education in leadership. Conceived in the military and applied to the business world, this program introduces problem solving, strategic thinking and planning, resource management, and leading teams under stress to young leaders, ages 15-20. These five day camps are packed with fun, engaging and inclusive workshops. Lead and support teams as you compete in real-time strategy simulations; develop the foundation that will give you an edge in school, college or work! Register at (480) 251-3147 or executive-command.com. executive-command.com ALL AROUND MATH LEARNING CENTER CAMPS Minecraft, Robotics with LEGO Mindstorms, Computer Game Design, Eager Engineering, Mixing Magic, Fascinating Experimental Science, Tribute Training, Back-to-Schools Skills Review, SAT prep, Improve your Math/Reading/Writing skills and more. Junior Camp Series for ages 4-6, Intermediate Camp Series for ages 6-9, Senior Camp Series for ages 9-14. Half-day and All-day weekly enrichment camps from May 26 to July 31. Early/after care available. Over 15 awesome camps to choose from. Call 480-833-7338 or visit allaroundmath.com. allaroundmath.com CCS SUMMER CUBS CAMP 2015 “CAMP DISCOVERY” Join us as we explore the world’s diverse ecosystems one week at a time! 9:00 am – 2:00 pm daily. Week 1 – May 26-29 - Let’s Discover the Ocean ($140); Week 2 – June 1-5 - Let’s Discover the Rainforest ($175); Week 3 – June 8-12 - Let’s Discover the Tundra ($175); Week 4 – June 15-19 - Let’s Discover the Desert ($175). Preschool students ages 2-5 welcome; bring a friend! (602) 381-9906, info@ccsaz.org. Website: www.ccsaz.org/cubscamp2015.html ccsaz.org DISCOVER SUMMER YOUTH CAMPS @GATEWAY GateWay Community College at 40th & Washington offers a variety of educational summer experiences for your children, ages 5 to 18. Children can explore a new skill, interest or career, and earn college credit in some camps – automotive, healthcare and industrial safety. Costs vary. Visit us online for an application and for a schedule at gatewaycc.edu/discover or call (602) 286-8672. gatewaycc.edu/discover SUMMER CAMPS AT CAMELBACK A summer full of fun awaits your kids at Camelback! Offering five fun, educational, and enriching summer camps, your kids will gain life skills and pursue their interests in a safe, spiritually nourishing environment. Camps include Vacation Bible Camp (June 8-12), Sportball Multi-Sport Camp (June 8-12), Arts Camp (June 15-19 & July 20-24), String Quartet Camp (June 22-26), and Drama Camp (July 6-10). Camps available for ages 4 - 18. For more information, call (602) 955-6370 and visit www. camelbackbible.com/arcadianews. Online registration available. camelbackbible.com/arcadianews ALL SAINTS’ EPISCOPAL DAY SCHOOL All Saints’ Episcopal Day School offers a four-week summer camp experience for kids entering grades pre-K–9. There are a wide variety of classes; each class is one week in length. Offerings include Great Hikes, Robotics, Minecraft Coding, 3D Printing, Art, and much more! Enrollment at All Saints’ is not necessary; students from all area schools are encouraged to join us June 1 - June 26, 2015. For more information please visit summer.aseds.org. summer.aseds.org Summer Camp NEW FRIENDS. NEW ADVENTURES. All Saints’