Local camps for critter-loving kids – Get all the details in the latest Unleashed from Adrian Hirsch

If your children are ready to go wild this summer, BREC offers a variety of camps that allow kids to experience animal encounters and appreciate nature.

Located only six miles away from downtown on nearly 300 acres, this Farr Park Equestrian Center camp teaches basic riding and horsemanship skills and engages campers in crafts and games and other horse-related activities. The weekly sessions offer six- through eight-year-olds the opportunity to participate in Pony Camp. The Western- or English-Style Riding Camp provides instruction for kids ages nine through 12. Each Friday, Horse Lover’s Camp concludes with an 11 a.m. horse show for parents and other family members.

Sessions run June 3-July 26. While the camp is open 8 a.m.-1 p.m., early drop off begins at 7:30 a.m., and late pick up is until 1:30 p.m. at no additional fee.

The cost is $125 per session for East Baton Rouge Parish residents and $150 for out-of-parish residents.

Summer is a great time for kids to ditch their virtual-reality games and head out for some real adventure. At the Bluebonnet Swap Nature Center Camp, age-specific activities keep kids busy interacting with live animals, go on hikes, play games, create nature crafts and go on field trips twice a week.

During the weeks of June 3 and July 29, the camp provides half-day sessions for exclusively for children ages 5 and 6. While the half-day camp is open 8 a.m.-1 p.m., early drop off begins at 7:30 a.m. and late pick up is until 1:30 p.m. at no additional fee. The cost is $90 per half-day session for East Baton Rouge Parish residents and $108 for out-of-parish residents.

During the weeks of June 10-July 22, the camp runs full-day sessions. The age groups appear on the schedule below. The full-day camp runs from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Early drop-off begins at 7 a.m. and late pick-up runs until 6 p.m. for an additional $25 fee. The cost is $110 per full-day session for East Baton Rouge Parish residents and $132 per session for out-of-parish residents.

This year for the first time, the Swamp CIT (Counselor in Training) program allows teenagers to gain the skills to work as a Swamp Camp counselor. Camper management techniques, leadership training and camp activity development are paired with job seeking skills (applications, interviewing, performance evaluation, etc.,) to provide valuable experience for future employment opportunities. That’s why the Swamp CIT fee includes four days of training (May 28-31) and a chance to put their skills to use for a day the following week (June 3-7).

All campers bring a bag lunch and drink; afternoon snacks are provided.

Session 0C: May 28-31 Swamp Counselors in Training (Ages: 14-17)
Session 1: June 3-7 Swamp Squirts (Ages: 5 and 6)
Session 2: June 10-14 Swamp Stompers (Ages: 7-10)
Session 3: June 17-21 Swamp Stompers Boys (Ages: 7-10)
Session 4: June 24-28 Swamp Stompers Girls (Ages: 7-10)
Session 5: July 8-12 Swamp Explorers (Ages: 11-14)
Session 6: July 15-19 Swamp Stompers (Ages: 7-10)
Session 7: July 22-26 Swamp Stompers Boys (Ages: 7-10)
Session 8: July 29-Aug. 2 Swamp Squirts (Ages: 5 and 6)

If your children aim to do little this summer, the opportunity to walk and talk with the animals may be just what the doctor ordered. A week at zoo camp may be enough to engender a lifelong curiosity about other species and the environment.
Ages and themes vary by week. Each session is different, so children can enjoy multiple weeks at the zoo.

Session 1: May 27-31 Fur, Feathers, Scales or Skin (Ages: 5-7)
Session 2: June 3-7 Diet Riot (Ages: 5-7)
Session 3: June 10-14 Animal All-Stars (Ages: 5-7)
Session 4: June 17-21 Wet and Wild (Ages: 5-7)
Session 5: June 24-28 Oh, Grow Up! (Ages: 11-13)
Session 6: July 1-5 Feed Your Face (Ages: 8-10)
Session 7: July 8-12 Communication Breakdown (Ages: 8-10)
Session 8: July 15-19 Tales of Tails (Ages: 8-10)
Session 9: July 22-26 Wet and Wild (Ages: 8-10)
Session 10: July 29-Aug. 2 This is How We Zoo It (Ages: 11-13)

While the camp runs 9 a.m.-4 p.m., early drop off begins at 7:30 a.m. and late pick-up is available until 5:30 p.m. at no additional fee. The cost is $110 per session for East Baton Rouge Parish residents and $132 for out-of-parish residents.
For more information on all these camps and many more, visit brec.org or call 225-272-9200.

	BB is a special little boy. A woman rescued this schnauzer/terrier mix and his brother, Spot, and brought them to an APAWS adoption. When the event was over, she never returned. So, the brothers have been abandoned twice in their lives. Now in foster care, these boys each deserve a loving family.
	Stevie entered rescue when her family moved out of state and decided not to take her along. This black-and-white beauty is very sweet and loves attention.
	Jack is a wonderful young dog who knows he has been rescued. This picture shows him on his ride to freedom. Look at that face and smile! He knows he was saved—and not a day too soon. He was scheduled to be euthanized the next morning. Jack is a 30-pound hound/lab mix, who is housebroken and loves to play. He is extremely gentle and good with other dogs.
	Kitaye was a college kitty. While living with her first owner, she grew up in a frat house. Unfortunately the guy met a girl who hated cats, married her and ditched Kitaye. APAWS wants to find this buff-and-white girl—and all its rescued pets—an owner who will love and cherish her forever. She is a very sweet cat who needs someone with a little patience and a big heart to be her new owner.
	Nell is a beautiful border collie mix who would love to live in a big yard with a playful canine companion. She has boundless energy and loves to frolic and run. Nell has a very sweet temperament, gets along well with other dog, loves children and is kennel trained.
	Mr. Pickles is a very lovable and sweet guy. He was left behind with another cat, when his family was evicted. He would appreciate a nice, safe home to call his own.

These pets have all been microchipped, vaccinated, spayed/neutered, heartworm and FeLeuk/FIV tested. Many other adoptable cats, kittens, puppies and dogs are available at the Animal Protection and Welfare Society, apawspets.org.