About
Camp H.O.P.E. is a one week-long summer day camp where campers spend time daily with shelter animals and interact with them through activities and interactive play. The program includes guest speakers, arts and crafts, engaging in craft activities, and making special treats for the animals.
• Ages: 8–12 years old
• Schedule: One week-long summer day camp held Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily
• Price: Cost is $300 per camper and includes all learning supplies.
Camp H.O.P.E. introduces campers to hands-on learning about career and volunteer opportunities, basic pet responsibility, important life skills, and local animal issues. Children are taught what to do if they lose or find an animal, how to protect themselves from being bitten by a dog, why animals are surrendered or become strays, and how community shelters work. The camp also teaches how Animal Control Officers act as first-responders for companion animals, disaster preparedness, and the challenges of unaltered animals, along with the benefits of spaying and neutering, vaccinating, and the responsibility of training and health care for pets. Each camp session is limited to 36 campers, and Camp H.O.P.E. has 72 campers annually. Campers provide their own sack lunch daily, and lunch is not provided.
Camp H.O.P.E. is an all-volunteer program directed and funded by the Santa Barbara County Animal Care Foundation, in close collaboration with Santa Barbara County Animal Services. The Animal Ambassador Program connected to this work is directed and funded by the Santa Barbara County Animal Care Foundation in collaboration with the Santa Maria-Bonita School District and the Santa Maria Kiwanis Club. The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors has commended the organization’s impact and service through an official Resolution, and the organization holds the Candid Platinum Seal Award. The first camp was held in June 2009.
The Camp H.O.P.E. Counselor Program is open to teens 13–18 years old. The counselor position is considered an unpaid staff position, and teens earn community service hours and can request letters of recommendation. The camp program has an average of 15 counselors and 4–6 volunteer adult staff per camp session. Advance registration is mandatory and on a first come-first serve basis once completed registration and payment are received. All refunds must be requested at least 30 days prior to the first day of camp for the session; after this time refunds are not made. The Santa Barbara County Animal Care Foundation funds 5 financial aid requests per camp session. Camp H.O.P.E. is described as the only animal camp of its kind in the area.
Last updated August 1, 2026.
• Ages: 8–12 years old
• Schedule: One week-long summer day camp held Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily
• Price: Cost is $300 per camper and includes all learning supplies.
Camp H.O.P.E. introduces campers to hands-on learning about career and volunteer opportunities, basic pet responsibility, important life skills, and local animal issues. Children are taught what to do if they lose or find an animal, how to protect themselves from being bitten by a dog, why animals are surrendered or become strays, and how community shelters work. The camp also teaches how Animal Control Officers act as first-responders for companion animals, disaster preparedness, and the challenges of unaltered animals, along with the benefits of spaying and neutering, vaccinating, and the responsibility of training and health care for pets. Each camp session is limited to 36 campers, and Camp H.O.P.E. has 72 campers annually. Campers provide their own sack lunch daily, and lunch is not provided.
Camp H.O.P.E. is an all-volunteer program directed and funded by the Santa Barbara County Animal Care Foundation, in close collaboration with Santa Barbara County Animal Services. The Animal Ambassador Program connected to this work is directed and funded by the Santa Barbara County Animal Care Foundation in collaboration with the Santa Maria-Bonita School District and the Santa Maria Kiwanis Club. The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors has commended the organization’s impact and service through an official Resolution, and the organization holds the Candid Platinum Seal Award. The first camp was held in June 2009.
The Camp H.O.P.E. Counselor Program is open to teens 13–18 years old. The counselor position is considered an unpaid staff position, and teens earn community service hours and can request letters of recommendation. The camp program has an average of 15 counselors and 4–6 volunteer adult staff per camp session. Advance registration is mandatory and on a first come-first serve basis once completed registration and payment are received. All refunds must be requested at least 30 days prior to the first day of camp for the session; after this time refunds are not made. The Santa Barbara County Animal Care Foundation funds 5 financial aid requests per camp session. Camp H.O.P.E. is described as the only animal camp of its kind in the area.
Last updated August 1, 2026.
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