Special to IFN

Parents of preschool to eighth-grade students can now register their children for Rescue Ranch’s 2026 Critter Camps, spring break and one-week summer camp sessions offering hands-on educational experiences with animal interactions.

Critter Camps are designed to be fun, educational camp experiences for children who love animals. All camps involve daily interaction with animals, games, crafts and STEM activities. Campers will learn how to care for animals, provide enrichment, and how to promote humane animal care to others.

In addition, and weather depending, campers will explore the Ranch’s nature trail and have access to the 10,000 square-foot inclusive Earnhardt Family Playground.

Assisting with each camp session are Rescue Ranch’s almost 90 permanent residents and animal ambassadors that include steer, sheep, goats, turkeys, miniature horses, pot-bellied pigs, a variety of parrots, rats, rabbits, snakes, lizards, tortoises and more.

The 2026 Critter Camp schedule is as follows:

Spring Break

For pre-kindergarten through fifth-grade students, the spring break session, Spring Into Action – Planet Protection!, is available from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The cost is $250 per child, or from March 9 – 13. There is also a $50 day rate if campers can’t attend each day. Early registration and sibling discounts are available.

Campers will learn how to care for the earth, animals, and each other through hands-on activities and outdoor adventures through STEM activities, experiments, crafts, meeting animal ambassadors and more.

♦ To register for the Spring Break Critter Camp, visit rescueranch.com/critter-camps.

Summer Camp

For preschool children aged four, five or six, there are two options for half-day sessions available from 8:30 to noon.

• Wild Explorers & Mini Zoo Crew – Campers will learn about the amazing exotic animals that live at the Rescue Ranch in Wild Explorers, May 18 – 22 or learn all about animals in Mini Zoo Crew, June 28 – July 3. Both sessions will involve STEM activities, crafts, and animal ambassadors. The cost is $125 per child, per half-day, four-day session.

For children entering kindergarten through fifth grade, there are six themed, weekly sessions available from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

• Compost Champions & Reptile Rangers – Campers will learn not only the importance of reduce, reuse, recycle, up-cycle but learn how they can be part of it. Reptile Rangers campers will learn about a variety of reptiles along with some non-reptile friends too. All campers will take part in hands-on STEM activities, crafts, and animal ambassadors. The cost is $250 per child, per five-day session and the dates include May 25 – 29 and June 1 – 5 (Compost Champions) and June 8 – 12 and June 15 – 19 (Reptile Rangers).

• Nature Navigators & Backyard Biologists – Spend time outside learning all about nature!  Nature Navigators campers will explore habitats, learn survival skills and how nature is fun and amazing! Backyard Biologists campers will spend the week learning about what is in our own backyards, from birds, to insects, and everything in between. All campers will take part in hands-on STEM activities, crafts, and animal ambassadors. The cost is $250 per child, per five-day session and the dates include July 6 – 10 and July 13 – 17 (Nature Navigators) and July 20 -24 and July 27 – 31 (Backyard Biologists).

For students entering sixth through eighth grade, there are two themed weeklong sessions from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

• Wilderness Warriors – Is your middle schooler interested in the outdoors? This camp focuses on essential outdoor skills like map reading, compass use, shelter building and more. We will utilize nature-based learning to get hands-on experience in learning outdoor skills. Campers will focus on hands-on lessons with the Ranch’s animal ambassadors, STEM activities, crafts and more. Students from fifth through eighth grade are allowed for this session. The cost is $250 per child, per week and the date is July 22 – 26.

For campers with special needs, entering first through sixth grade, there is one week-long, half day, session available from 8:30 a.m. to noon.

• Exceptional Children Summer Camp – Campers will learn about and meet the Ranch’s indoor and barnyard animal ambassadors, complete crafts, hear stories, and play on the 10,000 square-foot inclusive playground. The cost is $50 per child, per week and the camp is June 29 – July 3.This session is open to exceptional children including but not limited to, autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and other special needs that require more supervision and a smaller group setting in order to have a successful and meaningful camp experience. This camp is taught by teachers with exceptional children experience, who are first aid and CPR certified. This camp will have a three-to-one ratio of kids to adults with junior counselors to assist. All abilities welcome.

♦ To register for this session, please call (704) 768-0909 or email education@rescueranch.com.

Sibling Discounts

A $20 discount applies for any preschool, elementary or middle school Summer Critter Camp if registered by March 30. Also available is a $10 sibling discount when registered together.

Registration

Registration will remain open as long as space is available. For more information on Rescue Ranch’s Critter Camps or to register, visit rescueranch.com/critter-camps call (704) 768-0909 or email education@rescueranch.com. Payment plans and partial scholarships are available.

About Rescue Ranch

Rescue Ranch is a nonprofit animal welfare organization founded by Krissie Newman. The 87-acre facility offers school, Scout and camp programs, birthday parties and private tours, which promote humane education through hands-on learning. Rescue Ranch is located in Statesville — less than an hour from Winston-Salem, Charlotte and Hickory.