Statesville, NC – Parents of preschoolers to eighth-grade students looking for summer camp opportunities can still register their children for Rescue Ranch’s Summer Critter Camps.

The one-week summer camp sessions offer hands-on educational experiences with the Ranch’s animal ambassadors including birds, reptiles, small furry mammals and barnyard animals. In addition, students will spend time on the 10,000 square foot inclusive Earnhardt Family playground and hike the nature trails.

Critter Camps take place at Rescue Ranch, an animal welfare organization located in Statesville. The nonprofit uses educational programs to promote respect for animals and responsible pet ownership, as well as agricultural, environmental and wildlife conservation.

The 2019 Summer Critter Camp schedule is as follows:

For preschool children age four or five, there is one session available June 10-13 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for $100 per child, per four-day week.

Critter Palooza – This session involves crafts, games, sensory play, as well as interacting with animals such as rabbits, lizards, barnyard animals, and more. Campers this week will be given a free pass to come back on Friday or Saturday for our Summer Family Fun Days.

For children entering kindergarten through fifth grade, there are two themed sessions available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Critter Palooza – This session will investigate bugs, mammals, reptiles, and animals with wings. Campers will transform into many different animals as they learn and understand their strange characteristics and techniques of survival. The cost is $190 per child, per week and the dates include June 17-21 and July 8-12.

Wild Thing Workshop – Campers will learn how to provide a happy and healthy life to Ranch’s animal ambassadors while creating new enrichment experiences for them. In addition to sharing the day-to-day activities of pets, campers will come up with ways to make their lives even better. The cost is $190 per child, per week and the dates include July 22-26, July 29-August 2.

Wild Thing Workshop Part 2 (*Daily Camp Options offered Monday-Wednesday this week*)– Campers are invited back for another week of enrichment activities by using creativity and the engineering process to make items that will enhance the lives of Ranch’s animal ambassadors, in addition to daily animal interaction and assisting with animal care. The cost is $45 per day or $190 per child, per week and the dates include August 5-9.

For students entering sixth through eighth grade, there is one themed session available July 15-19 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The cost is $200 per child, per week.

Future Veterinarian – Campers will have mock clinics with local veterinarians throughout the week while learning about the diverse facets of veterinary life and the care they provide to our furry friends.

For campers with special needs, entering first through sixth grade, there are two sessions available June 24-28 from 9 a.m. to noon or 1 – 4 p.m.

Critter Palooza –The smaller group setting will offer a one-to-three teacher-student ratio in addition to a buddy system, to provide a more supervised and successful camp experience. Each day will include hands on time with the Rescue Ranch animal ambassadors, crafts, and time on an on-site, fully accessible playground. The cost is $25 per child, per week. To register for this session, please contact Stacey Foreman at (704) 768-0909 or at [email protected].

Sibling discounts are also available and for some sessions, extended care is available from 8-9 a.m. and 4-5:30 p.m. for $10 per day.

Registration will remain open as long as space is available. For more information, visit rescueranch.com.

Rescue Ranch is a nonprofit animal welfare organization founded by Krissie Newman and her husband, NASCAR driver Ryan Newman and located in Statesville, North Carolina.