Camp Rescue 2026
Presented by 
Camp Rescue is back this summer at Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh! Camp Rescue, which was voted "Best Camp for Kids" by City Paper's Best of Pittsburgh 2025, is our exciting summer camp program, offering a week of fun and learning at both our Wildlife Center and Domestic Animal Shelter. All camps include age-specific hands-on activities, themed educational lessons, select animal guests, games, crafts, and more!
Each week of camp offers one full day camp option, from 9:00am-3:00pm Monday-Friday. We offer camps for grades 1st-2nd, 3rd-4th, 5th-6th., and 7th-8th. (The grades associated for each camp are the grades that the camper will be entering into this fall of 2026.)
Pricing: $300/camper; (Early Bird pricing: $275 all through February 1st-February 14th); Discounts available for additional siblings registered for camp.
We are offering limited scholarship opportunities for families in need of financial assistance. Please reach out to the Education Department (education@humaneanimalrescue.org or 412-345-7300 ext. 501) with any questions or to apply.
Registration: Registration and payment are all online through our Active Network software
Other notes and FAQ:
- Before and After Care: There will be no before and after care available for this summer. We apologize for any inconvenience.
- Allergies: We do our best to make our programming a safe and inclusive space, but be advised that there may be allergens present on our facility (like pollen, animal dander, and nuts).
- Accessibility: We welcome all different types of learners and strive for inclusivity. Upon registration, we encourage guardians to share information about their child's needs so that we can plan accordingly to set their child up for success. However, we are unable to provide one-on-one instruction to campers. If this is something your child needs, we ask that you provide an aide to assist during the camp day, and please reach out to our education team to notify us in advance.
- Camp Day Activities: Each day is planned out with engaging humane education lessons, age-appropriate games/activities/crafts, lunch and snack breaks, and animal guest visits. (Learning about animals is at the heart of our camp, but live animal visits are only a small part of the camp day.)
- Registering for Different Sessions: Campers are welcome to attend camp both at the Wildlife Center and the domestic shelter. However, please register your camper for only the appropriate age group listed.
| Camp Rescue | Date & Time | Location | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jr. Vet Camp
3rd & 4th Grade |
June 15 – June 18 *no camp June 19
9:00 am – 3:00 pm *no camp on June 19 |
East Side Domestic Shelter 6926 Hamilton Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15208 |
Does your child love animals? Has your child ever considered becoming a veterinarian in the future? Then this is the camp for them! Campers will learn what it takes to be a veterinarian throughout this exciting camp. There will be hands-on activities, lessons, crafts, and games to teach the campers all about the different aspects of being a veterinarian as well as visits from live animals. Join us for a fun-filled time that your future veterinarian is sure to love! We are excited to offer new topics, games, and activities so that even returning campers have a unique and memorable experience. |
| Sr. Vet Camp
5th & 6th Grade |
June 22 – June 26
9:00 am – 3:00 pm |
East Side Domestic Shelter 6926 Hamilton Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15208 |
This camp goes beyond basic pet care and teaches students about common domestic animals and how professionals care for them when they are injured or sick. Every day offers a chance to meet a live animal and professionals who work in the field! We will discuss a range of topics and have games and activities to give campers a feel for what being a vet is all about! We are excited to offer new topics, games, and activities so that even returning campers have a unique and memorable experience. |
| Pop Culture Creatures
7th & 8th Grade |
July 6 – July 10
9:00 am – 3:00 pm |
Wildlife Center 6000 Verona Rd. Verona, PA 15147 |
From comic strips to cinema, animals have always been a part of mainstream media. During this week of camp, we will be doing a deep dive on the world of animals throughout pop culture. Who were the original animals that inspired mascots, how do animals know when the director calls “action”, and what are the effects of seeing animals on the big screen? Come learn about these topics and more in a week that’s sure to be absolutely Oscar-worthy! |
| Vast Vertebrates
1st & 2nd Grade |
July 27 – August 1
9:00 am – 3:00 pm |
Wildlife Center 6000 Verona Rd. Verona, PA 15147 |
Mammals and birds and reptiles oh my! Vertebrates are creatures that have a backbone, just like us! During this week of camp, we will learn about each of those groups of critters and what makes them special! Meet some live WILD vertebrates and enjoy a week of fun with new and old friends! |
| Amazing Adaptations
3rd & 4th Grade |
August 3 – August 7
9:00 am – 3:00 pm |
Wildlife Center 6000 Verona Rd. Verona, PA 15147 |
What do turtles do when it’s cold outside? Why are some animals brightly colored? All creatures are truly magical when you take the time to learn a little about them. Throughout this week of camp, we will delve into the adaptations of the animal kingdom through games, hands-on activities, and outdoor exploration! |
| Wildlife Warriors
5th & 6th Grade |
August 10 – August 14
9:00 am – 3:00 pm |
Wildlife Center 6000 Verona Rd. Verona, PA 15147 |
Become a true animal advocate during this fun week of camp! Wildlife Warriors will learn about how they can help the world around them and educate others about how amazing local wildlife can be! Study a local ecosystem, learn about citizen science, play games, meet live animals and more during this wild week of camp. |
Junior Rehabber Corps 2026
Have you ever wanted to explore a career working with animals or helping protect wildlife? Join our Junior Rehabber Corps (JRC), a hands-on teen career exploration program, which focuses on topics such as wildlife rehabilitation, conservation, animal husbandry, careers, research, wildlife biology, and more! Classes include animal ambassador appearances, guest speakers from professionals in the field, hands-on activities, digital resources, interconnected lessons, and more.
The themes for JRC rotate on a 4-year basis, and this year's JRC theme is focused on animal husbandry! This experience explores topics such as enclosure design, animal needs, training, diet prep, and other aspects that go into an animal care occupation, like at a sanctuary, zoological setting, or right here at our wildlife rehabilitation clinic!
When: July 13th-July 17th | 9:30am-2:30pm | 9th-12th Grade "JRC: Animal Husbandry" | Wildlife Center
Pricing: $300/participant; (Early Bird pricing: $275 available from February 1st-February 14th); Discounts available for additional siblings registered for camp.
We are offering limited scholarship opportunities for families in need of financial assistance. Please reach out to the Education Department (education@humaneanimalrescue.org or 412-345-7300 ext. 501) with any questions or to apply.
Registration: Registration and payment are all online.
Other notes:
- While this program is intended for students entering 9th-12th grade, if your participant is over the age of 18 or will turn 18 during the week of JRC, we are not able to accept them into the program. We apologize for the inconvenience, and we would be happy to share other ways for them to get involved with Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh. Thank you for understanding!
- We do our best to make our programming a safe and inclusive space, but be advised that there may be allergens present on our facility (like pollen, animal dander, and nuts).
