Camp PAWS and Camp PURRS Youth Camps

Camp PAWS and Camp PURRS Youth Camps include humane education lessons on many topics that vary by session and age group, along with activities such as pet photography, animal communication, bird identification, and wildlife conservation. Campers visit with adoptable animals each day, provide enrichment and training with shelter animals, and attend presentations from guest speakers. Minor waiver and consent forms are built into the registration process, with separate medication forms required only if a child brings medication.

• Ages: 4–13 years old
• Schedule: Camp PAWS JR. runs 9–12 pm, Camp PAWS runs 9–4 pm, Animal Care Residency runs 9 am–4 pm, Camp PURRS JR. runs 9–11 am, and Camp PURRS runs 8:30–11:30 am

Camp PAWS Jr. is intended for children entering Young 5s or Kindergarten, and Camp PAWS weeks alternate between children entering 1st–3rd grade and 4th–6th grade, with one “siblings week” for children entering 1st–6th grade. Camp PURRS Jr. is for children entering Kindergarten–1st grade, and Camp PURRS is divided into weeks for children entering 4th–5th grade and 6th–8th grade; during school-year camps, all ages are grouped into one camp for those currently in grades K–5. An all-ages week is offered so sibling groups can attend together, and families can add their name to a waitlist for any week, with openings filled on a first-come, first-served basis via email. Before/after care is no longer offered as of fall 2023 due to low registrations over the previous three years.

Campers need to bring a lunch and drink each day, and refrigerators and microwaves are not available. HSHV provides a small daily snack such as veggies, pretzels, or crackers, and participants may bring their own snack and are encouraged to bring a water bottle. If a child brings prescription or over-the-counter medication, a medication release form is required on the first day of camp, and prescription medication forms must include a doctor’s signature. Doors open 10 minutes before the official camp start time, and late pickups more than 10 minutes after camp end time may be charged a $25 late pickup fee.

All staff and volunteers involved in programming complete a full background check and training on safety and health procedures. All camp staff members hold current First Aid, CPR, and Mental Health First Aid certification, and the Lead Humane Educator and VP of Volunteers and Humane Education are certified teachers in the state of Michigan. A limited number of scholarships for Camp PAWS summer programs are available for families in financial need who would not otherwise be able to attend, with up to one scholarship per camp season and two per lifetime, and preference given to first-time applicants; scholarship applicants do not register through general registration because scholarship spaces are separate.

The Humane Society of Huron Valley has been serving the community since 1896 and has been active for more than 125 years. Its mission is to support the loving, responsible care of all animals in the community. HSHV is the only animal shelter in Washtenaw County and takes in unwanted, injured, lost, stray, abandoned, and abused animals, helping over 24,000 animals and their people each year and regularly assisting other shelters. Charity Navigator rates HSHV “exceptional” with 4 out of 4 stars, and only 1% of charities have received 12 or more consecutive 4-star evaluations; HSHV has the highest save rate among similar animal shelters in Michigan, is classified as a “no-kill” shelter by Maddie’s Fund, and is consistently recognized for its save rate by the Michigan Pet Fund Alliance.

Last updated July 18, 2026.