Kids for Critters Summer Camp

We’re full, but please don’t hesitate to join the waitlist. There is a chance you may get a spot! 

Join us as we celebrate ALL animals, ALL week long! Engage in fun interactive games and activities, meet animal experts and ambassadors and put our compassion into action through service projects that benefit animals. Embark on a scavenger hunt in our shelter, explore animal-related careers, become a Jr. humane officer, observe surgery, make animal enrichment toys, decorate kennels and much, much more!

Campers will have many opportunities to interact with our shelter animals and guest animals. Popular activities include training and reading to our shelter dogs and socializing shelter kittens and cats. These activities provide enrichment and socialization for them as they await their life-long loving homes.

A highlight of our week-long camp is our day-long field trip on Wednesday to our Longmeadow Rescue Ranch in Union, Mo. where we enjoy a wagon ride around the sanctuary and get up close and personal with our beloved Barn Buddies and their fellow farm animal friends who have been rescued and rehabilitated by our loving staff.

Week-long camps are from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 1201 Macklind Ave. for $325 per child. Campers bring their lunch each day.


Our Waitlist for 2024 Sessions is Open

Click here to join the waitlist.

When you visit the link above, click the blue “special events” tab on the top left section of the page and scroll down to the camp dates to select your session.

Questions? Contact JoEllyn Klepacki at [email protected] or 314-951-1572, or contact Sarah Strothkamp at [email protected] or 314-951-1535.


Week 1 | June 10 – 14 (6- to 8-year-olds)

Week 2 | June 24 -28 (9- to 11-year-olds)

Week 3 | July 8 -12 (12- to 14-year-olds)

Week 4 | July 15 – 19 (6- to 8-year-olds)

Week 5 | July 22 – 26 (9- to 11-year-olds)

Week 6 | July 29 – Aug. 2 (12- to 14-year-olds)

Week 7 | Aug. 5 – 9 (9- to 11-year-olds)


One week only, please:

Due to the limited number of spots available, please register your child for only one camp.  FYI: Both weeks of camp for a particular age group will be almost entirely the same (activity and content-wise). After you’ve registered for one week of camp, if you’d like to be placed on a waiting list for an additional week of camp for your child’s age, we will have a wait list available.  Signing up for the waitlist does not guarantee you a spot in this additional week of camp. Wait list priority will be given to children who are not yet registered for a camp.  We will contact you if a spot opens up and please be aware that it may be close to the camp’s start date.

After care option:

After care is offered from 3 to 5 p.m. for a flat fee of $30 per day as needed. Single days or multiple days can be purchased. After care will not be available on Fridays. After care activities will be led by our trained camp counselors, under the supervision of the Education Department staff. Campers can choose their after-care activities. Examples include reading to shelter dogs, making enrichment toys, kennel decorating, reading animal-related books, watching G-rated animal-related movies and more.

Refunds:

Refunds will be given (minus a $30 registration fee), if you must cancel your participation in camp prior to the start of camp.  Unfortunately, once your child’s camp week has started, we cannot offer refunds or pro-rate the fees.

COVID-19 precautions:

We will take all reasonable precautions to limit potential exposure for campers, volunteers, staff and families. We will adhere to all CDC and local health department guidelines during camps.

Teen opportunities: 

Calling enthusiastic, animal-loving teens ages 15-18 to serve as Summer Camp Counselors! Are you looking for something meaningful and fun to do this summer? Would you like to earn volunteer or service-learning hours at HSMO? Join our team of Camp Counselors and make a difference for shelter animals while gaining experience that you can add to your college and job applications.

New Camp Counselors Click Here

Returning Camp Counselors Click Here


All camps subject to change. Please check back for more information and registration, and visit hsmo.org/education for fun at-home HSMO activities just for kids!

Questions? Contact Camp Manager Sarah Strothkamp at [email protected].