Youth Camps at AWLA

Families will have four (4) days to select preferred camp sessions and enter the lottery. After the lottery window closes, campers will be randomly selected from all entries received.

Please submit one lottery form per child. If you wish to enter multiple children, each child must be registered separately.

The AWLA Summer Camp Lottery opens Monday, February 2 at 12:00 p.m. ET and closes Friday, February 6 at 12:00 p.m. ET.
Entering the lottery does not guarantee camp registration.

Families selected through the lottery will be notified by email no later than Monday, February 9 at 12:00 p.m. ET, with instructions for completing camp enrollment.

Families not selected will not receive an email and will remain on the waitlist. Notification will only be sent if a camper moves off the waitlist.

No. Enrollment is not guaranteed until payment is received.

All enrollment forms and payments must be completed by Wednesday, February 11 at 7:00 p.m. ET.
If payment is not received by the deadline, the spot will be offered to a camper on the waitlist.

Payments for 2026 summer camps must be made in person or over the phone.
We are unable to accept online payments for summer camp enrollment.

All payments are due by 7:00 p.m. on February 11, 2026.

No. All lottery entries have an equal chance of being selected, regardless of when they are submitted during the lottery window.

If spots become available, campers will be selected randomly from the waitlist as well.

Yes. Campers not selected in the initial lottery will automatically remain on the waitlist.

If openings become available, campers will be randomly selected from the waitlist.
We are unable to add campers to the waitlist after the lottery application closes.

You may choose to link siblings in the lottery application so they are considered together. Linked campers must both be selected in order to receive camp spots.

Only campers in the same age group may be linked (for example, ages 8 and 10 may be linked; ages 7 and 13 may not).

If one linked child is selected and the other is not, placement cannot be guaranteed. If this presents a concern, please note it in the “additional comments” section of the lottery application.

We understand that plans may change. Our refund policy is as follows:

• Through May 31: Full refund minus a 10% service fee

• June 1 through 21 days before camp start: 50% refund

• Within 21 days of camp start: Refunds only for documented medical emergencies with written verification submitted before the program begins

Transfers are not permitted.
No refunds are provided for missed days within a camp session.

Camper safety is our top priority. All campers are expected to:

• Stay with their assigned group at all times

• Follow directions from camp staff and volunteers

• Practice safe and respectful animal interactions

• Participate in group activities

• Treat fellow campers, staff, volunteers, and animals with respect

Failure to follow these expectations may result in dismissal from camp.

Our camp is fast-paced, includes group transitions, and can be loud or highly stimulating at times.

While we strive to provide reasonable accommodations, we are unable to offer ongoing one-on-one support. Campers should be able to participate in group activities and manage transitions with or without accommodations.

Families are encouraged to contact our education team prior to registration to discuss whether the program is a good fit.

AWLA offers a limited number of full scholarships for select camp sessions to support families facing financial barriers. Scholarships are need-based and subject to availability.

Submitting a scholarship application does not guarantee a camp spot.
Scholarship applicants should not enter the summer camp lottery.

If a scholarship applicant enters the lottery and pays the registration fee, we are unable to reimburse fees for scholarship purposes.

Yes! While some themes and activities may return, each camp session includes new lessons, activities, and experiences to keep programming fresh and engaging.

Each day includes a mix of education, enrichment, and hands-on experiences. A sample schedule may include:

• 9:00 a.m. – Check-in, icebreakers, animal encounter

• 9:30 a.m. – Lesson (e.g., Wildlife in Virginia)

• 10:00 a.m. – Brain-break game

• 10:30 a.m. – Animal care activities (vet care, medical rounds, microchips, X-rays)

• 11:30 a.m. – Lunch

• 12:15 p.m. – Games and enrichment

• 12:45 p.m. – Guest speaker

• 2:15 p.m. – Craft activity

• 3:00 p.m. – Pickup

Schedules may vary by session.

Yes—animal interaction is a core part of camp, while always prioritizing camper safety and animal welfare.

Because shelter populations change, we cannot guarantee interaction with specific species. Interactions may include hands-on engagement or observation.

As a Fear Free organization, interactions may end if an animal shows signs of stress.

Yes! AWLA offers several youth volunteer programs:

• Teen Volunteer Program (ages 16+): Independent volunteering with animals and shelter support roles

• Counselor-in-Training (CIT) Program (ages 16–17): Assists with summer camp activities; applications open in early March

• Shelter Squad (ages 13–15): Supervised volunteer sessions offered throughout the year

More details are available on our Youth Programs pages.

No. Camp hours are 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Drop-off begins at 8:45 a.m., and pickup ends at 3:15 p.m..

No. Due to the frequent use of peanut butter at the shelter, trace peanut particles may be present in the air and on surfaces throughout camp areas and the shelter.

If your child has a severe peanut allergy, we recommend carefully considering whether this camp environment is appropriate.