Winter Critter Camp 2025

  • Crafts, General Play/Outdoor, Animals, Environmental, Nature Programs, Nonviolent Communication
6447 Helen Woodward Way, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067, USA
Dec 22 2025
Jan 02 2026

Schedules

Week 1 Winter Camp Kinder-2nd (12/22/2025-12/26/2025)

Winter Camp Weekly (Winter Camp Daily $101.00)
$404.00 USD $363.60

Early bird price expires on Nov 22, 2025 at 11:59 PM

  • Mon9:00 am - 3:00 pm (PST)
  • Tue9:00 am - 3:00 pm (PST)
  • Wed9:00 am - 3:00 pm (PST)
  • Fri9:00 am - 3:00 pm (PST)

Description

 

MONDAY

  • Theme: Home is a Habitat – Explore the unique ecosystems our animals inhabit. Winter brings unique challenges for animals, learn how animals navigate the seasonal changes to thrive in their environment!
  • Animals: Goat, guinea pig, large or medium parrot, leopard gecko lizard, frog.

TUESDAY

  • Theme: Adapt and Thrive – Animals have amazing adaptations that help them thrive in winter’s cold and harsh conditions. From thick fur to clever behaviors, we’ll discover the secrets that keep them warm, fed, and safe!
  • Animals: Sheep, rabbit, dove, turtle or tortoise, earthworm.

WEDNESDAY

  • Theme: Families of all Shapes– Family is essential for many animals, especially during the winter months. We’ll discover how animal families work together to stay safe, find food, and survive the season’s challenges!
  • Animals: Miniature horse, dog, chicken, bearded dragon or blue tongue skink lizard, Madagascar hissing cockroach.

FRIDAY

  • Theme: Compassion for Critters – Compassion plays an important role in the animal world and in our lives. We’ll learn how animals care or each other and explore ways we can show kindness to animals and the environment around us!
  • Animals: Dog, chinchilla, small or medium parrot, snake, blue death-feigning beetle, visit our Adoption department!

Additional services and fees

Lunch - Monday $11.00
AM Care - Monday $11.00
PM Care - Monday $22.00
Lunch - Tuesday $11.00
AM Care - Tuesday $11.00
PM Care - Tuesday $22.00
Lunch - Wednesday $11.00
AM Care - Wednesday $11.00
PM Care - Wednesday $22.00
Lunch - Friday $11.00
AM Care - Friday $11.00
PM Care - Friday $22.00
Critter Camp Water Bottle $6.00
HWAC Patch $6.00
Sticker $3.00
Critter Camp Pin $10.00
Critter Camp Patch $6.00

Registration period

Registration for this schedule starts on 08/20/2025 and ends on 12/26/2025

Restrictions

Participants must be entering grades kindergarten to 2.

Week 1 Winter Camp 3rd-6th (12/22/2025-12/26/2025)

Winter Camp Weekly (Winter Camp Daily $101.00)
$404.00 USD $363.60

Early bird price expires on Nov 22, 2025 at 11:59 PM

  • Mon9:00 am - 3:00 pm (PST)
  • Tue9:00 am - 3:00 pm (PST)
  • Wed9:00 am - 3:00 pm (PST)
  • Fri9:00 am - 3:00 pm (PST)

Description

MONDAY

  • Theme: Home is a Habitat – Explore the unique ecosystems our animals inhabit. Winter brings unique challenges for animals, learn how animals navigate the seasonal changes to thrive in their environment!
  • Animals: Goat, guinea pig, large or medium parrot, leopard gecko lizard, frog.

TUESDAY

  • Theme: Adapt and Thrive – Animals have amazing adaptations that help them thrive in winter’s cold and harsh conditions. From thick fur to clever behaviors, we’ll discover the secrets that keep them warm, fed, and safe!
  • Animals: Sheep, rabbit, dove, turtle or tortoise, earthworm.

WEDNESDAY

  • Theme: Families of all Shapes– Family is essential for many animals, especially during the winter months. We’ll discover how animal families work together to stay safe, find food, and survive the season’s challenges!
  • Animals: Miniature horse, dog, chicken, bearded dragon or blue tongue skink lizard, Madagascar hissing cockroach.

FRIDAY

  • Theme: Compassion for Critters – Compassion plays an important role in the animal world and in our lives. We’ll learn how animals care or each other and explore ways we can show kindness to animals and the environment around us!
  • Animals: Dog, chinchilla, small or medium parrot, snake, blue death-feigning beetle, visit our Adoption department!

Additional services and fees

Lunch - Monday $11.00
AM Care - Monday $11.00
PM Care - Monday $22.00
Lunch - Tuesday $11.00
AM Care - Tuesday $11.00
PM Care - Tuesday $22.00
Lunch - Wednesday $11.00
AM Care - Wednesday $11.00
PM Care - Wednesday $22.00
Lunch - Friday $11.00
AM Care - Friday $11.00
PM Care - Friday $22.00
Critter Camp Water Bottle $6.00
HWAC Patch $6.00
Sticker $3.00
Critter Camp Pin $10.00
Critter Camp Patch $6.00

Registration period

Registration for this schedule starts on 08/20/2025 and ends on 12/26/2025

Restrictions

Participants must be entering grades 3 to 6.

Week 1 Winter Camp PreK (12/22/2025-12/26/2025)

Winter Camp PreK Weekly (Winter Camp PreKDay $101.00)
$404.00 USD $363.60

Early bird price expires on Nov 22, 2025 at 11:59 PM

  • Mon9:00 am - 3:00 pm (PST)
  • Tue9:00 am - 3:00 pm (PST)
  • Wed9:00 am - 3:00 pm (PST)
  • Fri9:00 am - 3:00 pm (PST)

Description

MONDAY

  • Theme: Home is a Habitat – Explore the unique ecosystems our animals inhabit. Winter brings unique challenges for animals, learn how animals navigate the seasonal changes to thrive in their environment!
  • Animals: Goat, guinea pig, large or medium parrot, leopard gecko lizard, frog.

TUESDAY

  • Theme: Adapt and Thrive – Animals have amazing adaptations that help them thrive in winter’s cold and harsh conditions. From thick fur to clever behaviors, we’ll discover the secrets that keep them warm, fed, and safe!
  • Animals: Sheep, rabbit, dove, turtle or tortoise, earthworm.

WEDNESDAY

  • Theme: Families of all Shapes– Family is essential for many animals, especially during the winter months. We’ll discover how animal families work together to stay safe, find food, and survive the season’s challenges!
  • Animals: Miniature horse, dog, chicken, bearded dragon or blue tongue skink lizard, Madagascar hissing cockroach.

FRIDAY

  • Theme: Compassion for Critters – Compassion plays an important role in the animal world and in our lives. We’ll learn how animals care or each other and explore ways we can show kindness to animals and the environment around us!
  • Animals: Dog, chinchilla, small or medium parrot, snake, blue death-feigning beetle, visit our Adoption department!

Additional services and fees

Lunch - Monday $11.00
AM Care - Monday $11.00
PM Care - Monday $22.00
Lunch - Tuesday $11.00
AM Care - Tuesday $11.00
PM Care - Tuesday $22.00
Lunch - Wednesday $11.00
AM Care - Wednesday $11.00
PM Care - Wednesday $22.00
Lunch - Friday $11.00
AM Care - Friday $11.00
PM Care - Friday $22.00
Critter Camp Water Bottle $6.00
HWAC Patch $6.00
Sticker $3.00
Critter Camp Pin $10.00
Critter Camp Patch $6.00

Registration period

Registration for this schedule starts on 08/20/2025 and ends on 12/26/2025

Restrictions

Participants must be 4 years to 5 years old when the program starts.

Week 2 Winter Camp Kinder-2nd (12/29/2025-01/02/2026)

Winter Camp Weekly (Winter Camp Daily $101.00)
$404.00 USD $363.60

Early bird price expires on Nov 22, 2025 at 11:59 PM

  • Mon9:00 am - 3:00 pm (PST)
  • Tue9:00 am - 3:00 pm (PST)
  • Wed9:00 am - 3:00 pm (PST)
  • Fri9:00 am - 3:00 pm (PST)

Description

 

MONDAY

  • Theme: Home is a Habitat – Explore the unique ecosystems our animals inhabit. Winter brings unique challenges for animals, learn how animals navigate the seasonal changes to thrive in their environment!
  • Animals: Goat, guinea pig, large or medium parrot, leopard gecko lizard, frog.

TUESDAY

  • Theme: Adapt and Thrive – Animals have amazing adaptations that help them thrive in winter’s cold and harsh conditions. From thick fur to clever behaviors, we’ll discover the secrets that keep them warm, fed, and safe!
  • Animals: Sheep, rabbit, dove, turtle or tortoise, earthworm.

WEDNESDAY

  • Theme: Families of all Shapes– Family is essential for many animals, especially during the winter months. We’ll discover how animal families work together to stay safe, find food, and survive the season’s challenges!
  • Animals: Miniature horse, dog, chicken, bearded dragon or blue tongue skink lizard, Madagascar hissing cockroach.

FRIDAY

  • Theme: Compassion for Critters – Compassion plays an important role in the animal world and in our lives. We’ll learn how animals care or each other and explore ways we can show kindness to animals and the environment around us!
  • Animals: Dog, chinchilla, small or medium parrot, snake, blue death-feigning beetle, visit our Adoption department!

Additional services and fees

Lunch - Monday $11.00
AM Care - Monday $11.00
PM Care - Monday $22.00
Lunch - Tuesday $11.00
AM Care - Tuesday $11.00
PM Care - Tuesday $22.00
Lunch - Wednesday $11.00
AM Care - Wednesday $11.00
PM Care - Wednesday $22.00
Lunch - Friday $11.00
AM Care - Friday $11.00
PM Care - Friday $22.00
Critter Camp Water Bottle $6.00
HWAC Patch $6.00
Sticker $3.00
Critter Camp Pin $10.00
Critter Camp Patch $6.00

Registration period

Registration for this schedule starts on 08/20/2025 and ends on 01/02/2026

Restrictions

Participants must be entering grades kindergarten to 2.

Week 2 Winter Camp 3rd-6th (12/29/2025-01/02/2026)

Winter Camp Weekly (Winter Camp Daily $101.00)
$404.00 USD $363.60

Early bird price expires on Nov 22, 2025 at 11:59 PM

  • Mon9:00 am - 3:00 pm (PST)
  • Tue9:00 am - 3:00 pm (PST)
  • Wed9:00 am - 3:00 pm (PST)
  • Fri9:00 am - 3:00 pm (PST)

Description

MONDAY

  • Theme: Home is a Habitat – Explore the unique ecosystems our animals inhabit. Winter brings unique challenges for animals, learn how animals navigate the seasonal changes to thrive in their environment!
  • Animals: Goat, guinea pig, large or medium parrot, leopard gecko lizard, frog.

TUESDAY

  • Theme: Adapt and Thrive – Animals have amazing adaptations that help them thrive in winter’s cold and harsh conditions. From thick fur to clever behaviors, we’ll discover the secrets that keep them warm, fed, and safe!
  • Animals: Sheep, rabbit, dove, turtle or tortoise, earthworm.

WEDNESDAY

  • Theme: Families of all Shapes– Family is essential for many animals, especially during the winter months. We’ll discover how animal families work together to stay safe, find food, and survive the season’s challenges!
  • Animals: Miniature horse, dog, chicken, bearded dragon or blue tongue skink lizard, Madagascar hissing cockroach.

FRIDAY

  • Theme: Compassion for Critters – Compassion plays an important role in the animal world and in our lives. We’ll learn how animals care or each other and explore ways we can show kindness to animals and the environment around us!
  • Animals: Dog, chinchilla, small or medium parrot, snake, blue death-feigning beetle, visit our Adoption department!

Additional services and fees

Lunch - Monday $11.00
AM Care - Monday $11.00
PM Care - Monday $22.00
Lunch - Tuesday $11.00
AM Care - Tuesday $11.00
PM Care - Tuesday $22.00
Lunch - Wednesday $11.00
AM Care - Wednesday $11.00
PM Care - Wednesday $22.00
Lunch - Friday $11.00
AM Care - Friday $11.00
PM Care - Friday $22.00
Critter Camp Water Bottle $6.00
HWAC Patch $6.00
Sticker $3.00
Critter Camp Pin $10.00
Critter Camp Patch $6.00

Registration period

Registration for this schedule starts on 08/20/2025 and ends on 01/02/2026

Restrictions

Participants must be entering grades 3 to 6.

Week 2 Winter Camp PreK (12/29/2025-01/02/2026)

Winter Camp PreK Weekly (Winter Camp PreKDay $101.00)
$404.00 USD $363.60

Early bird price expires on Nov 22, 2025 at 11:59 PM

  • Mon9:00 am - 3:00 pm (PST)
  • Tue9:00 am - 3:00 pm (PST)
  • Wed9:00 am - 3:00 pm (PST)
  • Fri9:00 am - 3:00 pm (PST)

Description

MONDAY

  • Theme: Home is a Habitat – Explore the unique ecosystems our animals inhabit. Winter brings unique challenges for animals, learn how animals navigate the seasonal changes to thrive in their environment!
  • Animals: Goat, guinea pig, large or medium parrot, leopard gecko lizard, frog.

TUESDAY

  • Theme: Adapt and Thrive – Animals have amazing adaptations that help them thrive in winter’s cold and harsh conditions. From thick fur to clever behaviors, we’ll discover the secrets that keep them warm, fed, and safe!
  • Animals: Sheep, rabbit, dove, turtle or tortoise, earthworm.

WEDNESDAY

  • Theme: Families of all Shapes– Family is essential for many animals, especially during the winter months. We’ll discover how animal families work together to stay safe, find food, and survive the season’s challenges!
  • Animals: Miniature horse, dog, chicken, bearded dragon or blue tongue skink lizard, Madagascar hissing cockroach.

FRIDAY

  • Theme: Compassion for Critters – Compassion plays an important role in the animal world and in our lives. We’ll learn how animals care or each other and explore ways we can show kindness to animals and the environment around us!
  • Animals: Dog, chinchilla, small or medium parrot, snake, blue death-feigning beetle, visit our Adoption department!

Additional services and fees

Lunch - Monday $11.00
AM Care - Monday $11.00
PM Care - Monday $22.00
Lunch - Tuesday $11.00
AM Care - Tuesday $11.00
PM Care - Tuesday $22.00
Lunch - Wednesday $11.00
AM Care - Wednesday $11.00
PM Care - Wednesday $22.00
Lunch - Friday $11.00
AM Care - Friday $11.00
PM Care - Friday $22.00
Critter Camp Water Bottle $6.00
HWAC Patch $6.00
Sticker $3.00
Critter Camp Pin $10.00
Critter Camp Patch $6.00

Registration period

Registration for this schedule starts on 08/20/2025 and ends on 01/02/2026

Restrictions

Participants must be 4 years to 5 years old when the program starts.

In-person location

6447 Helen Woodward Way, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067, USA

Description

Spring Critter Camp lets kids in San Diego explore animal life during the season of renewal, from senses and eating habits to unique parenting styles. Campers will reflect on fostering compassionate relationships with animals and the planet through hands-on animal interactions, crafts, games, and activities.

Each day campers will

  • Create a craft related to the theme
  • Participate in a class activity focusing on the theme
  • Enjoy a team-building game!

Itinerary

Campers rotate locations and activities every 20-40 min. They meet 5 different animals through presentations with interactive components that are dispersed throughout the day. Campers also have a snack time which includes some free play, a lunch time which includes some free play, and class activities and games. Activities are interspersed between the breaks and games.

  • 8:45-9:15: check in period, campers free play in our pavilion.
  • 9:15-9:30: the class will circle up to discuss the day, camp rules, and icebreakers.
  • 10:00-10:50: snack period for PreK-2nd grade.
  • 10:50-11:30: snack period for 3rd-6th grade.
  • 11:30-12:20: lunch period for PreK-2nd grade.
  • 12:10-1:00: lunch period for 3rd-6th grade.
  • 1:00-1:10: check out period for PreK. Campers stay circled up with their class and play quiet games and review their day.
  • 2:45-3:15: check out period for Kindergarten-6th grade. Campers stay circled up with their class and play quiet games and review their day.

Noteworthy

  • Snack is not provided. Lunch can be purchased for an additional fee per child per day.
  • Drinks aren't provided, but we have drinking fountains and water bottle refill stations.
  • If your child has an aide at school and you plan to have them attend with your child, please call us at 858-756-4117 ext. 406 so that we can help them complete the fingerprint process. All aides MUST complete fingerprinting in order to attend.
  • All campers must be able to use the restroom confidently and on their own.
  • Animals assigned to a theme may vary depending on animal health, safety, and availability.
  • Extended care available to add-on which allows 8am drop off and/or 5pm pick up.
  • 15% off camp tuition for active military. Call us at 858-756-4117 ext. 406 for the coupon code.
  • Your camp fee may provide a partial tax credit, check with your tax professional to see if you qualify!
  • Your child may be eligible for a scholarship! Please visit our website by clicking to find out more https://animalcenter.org/programs-services/education/