The Cochrane and Area Humane Society (CAHS) has good news for kids who have been enjoying its summer camp.
CAHS announced Aug. 27 that the Telus Community Action Team donated $2,500 to the camp that they put on each year.
Janine Rossler is operations manager at CAHS. She said that this is the first time Telus has given funds towards the camp and Telus approached them about the donation.
“They really supported the program that we’re offering children,” said Rossler. “It is an opportunity to learn about animals, to learn how to become responsible young guardians and help foster that bond between animals and people.”
She said this was the fifth year they had ran the camp and it runs for seven weeks over the summer – four weeks in July and three weeks in August.
The camps run Monday through Friday and each week has a specific theme that has to do with animals. She said close to 90 kids attended this year.
The camp includes games, art, crafts, videos and guest speakers who share their expertise. Campers get to interact with CAHS animals, learning all about responsible pet care and animal welfare.
At the time of the interview, Rossler said they were just wrapping up the final week of another successful summer camp season, but mentioned that they also provide camps during family week, Easter break and single day camps on some professional development days.
Rossler described the kids who attend the camps as the animal ambassadors of the future and said they would understand the needs of animals and how to advocate for them when necessary.
“I do believe that if we can engage children to become compassionate and empathetic young people and grow that circle of compassion with animals, I think that will extend to people as well,” she said.
Rossler said that the sponsorship from Telus allows them to put the registration fees that the campers paid into operations and back into the education program and operational needs.
“It will go towards summer camp expenses such as educational materials, camp supplies, craft supplies, activity supplies and also being able to help fund the summer camp coordinator as well,” explained Rossler.
For more information on the CAHS camps visit cochranehumane.ca.
