For the first day of this course, you will go over what the plan for the week is. You will gather the base information that your group has on the topics they will learn throughout the week. After, using the Nature Center, campers will learn about the only chordate class that we do not keep captively here - Fish! 

This class is going to be about all things Mammal. Campers will get to dive deeper into some of the facts they learned yesterday, as well as getting to directly interact with the different mammal species that are present across camp.  

This day will be all about Birds. Why they are so unique, which ones we have at camp, and where you can find them here (and in the world). Our birds at camp vary greatly in size, shape, and personality so it is important to visit as many as you can. 

This class is going to be about all things Amphibians and Invertebrates. Here at camp we do not house many amphibians, so this is a good chance for campers to learn about our insects as well. Campers will get to dive deeper into some of the facts they learned on the first day, as well as getting to directly interact with the different species that are present across camp. 

Just like the past two days, this day's focus is on Reptiles. We have reptiles spread out through most of the animal area, but they concentrate mostly in our Reptile Room. This can get crowded if another class is already in there, but there are enough reptiles to go around. 

Today this course gives campers a chance to see and learn a little bit about every animal in the Back Pastures to decide which animal they want to adopt. After a camper choses an animal, they are given the animal information and workbooks to learn more. They will complete a short activity sheet on their adopted animal and learn about the other animals from the rest of the class. 

This day of the course is all about the importance of nutrition for an animal. In the wild, animals are designed to eat what is around them, but in captivity they are eating what humans can provide, which isn’t always the same stuff. For farm animals, we have formulated a lot of diets to match their needs exactly. Nutrition is a fundamental biological need in order for animals to stay healthy. 

Photographers also come around and take pictures of all the campers with their adopted animals. You are expected to help them during this activity because it can be stressful for people and animals alike. 

Sometimes interacting with animals can be fun and games! Today is all about animal mental health and how providing proper enrichment as well as training animals helps animals feel like they have more control over their environment, participate in more human-animal interactions, and feel generally more comfortable in their home. 

As an animal caretaker, it is vital to understand what an animal looks like when they are healthy versus when they are not. It is even more difficult in wild species (as opposed to domestic species), so sharp observation skills are needed. While there are many ways an animal is kept healthy, regularly grooming them helps with skin/fur health as well as thermoregulation and parasites. 

While not a glamorous part of the job, cleaning is still highly important to maintain the health of an animal. Not only that, but clean environments and low odors attract more people to interact and learn about the animals. Campers will have the opportunity to help clear out poop, debris, cobwebs, and more to ensure the enclosure(s) are kept up to facility standard. 

Enrichment is vital to any captive animal's care. It prevents boredom, allows animals to express natural behaviors, and is just an exciting thing for people to watch! Campers will learn about the importance of enrichment and get some practice in with easy things like adding scents or new items to enclosures.

The most common way to give enrichment to captive animals is through making their feeding time harder and extending it throughout the day. Campers will learn in this class how to feed animals in ways that make the animal really think and work for it (but still making it accessible!). 

Training animals is not only fun for people (we love seeing animals do cool tricks!) but also is great enrichment for animals. Proper training gives our animals the choice of controlling their actions and choosing to participate in interactions and maybe even necessary veterinary procedures. Kids will learn the basics on dogs (Level: Easy) to exotics (Level: Medium to Hard).

Birds are far more intelligent than people realize and often struggle in captivity if not given proper enrichment. Here at CCSC we do not have a shortage of parrots that love interacting with people, shredding items, and learning new tricks/words. These animals need proper training and an abundance of toys to be happy and healthy.

After a full week of enrichment going out to animals, we need to restock the bins in the Enrichment Room. Many of these items are gathered from outside, or made from recycled materials. The Animal Team also needs help sorting enrichment that they have cleaned throughout the week. It's a good lesson in cleaning up after yourself and helping the upcoming week be prepared.

Campers get to experience feeding our bachelor colony of ring tailed lemurs and the cavies that live with them. Our lemurs love receiving snacks and will climb all over campers to make sure they get every morsel available. Campers are NOT allowed to pet the lemurs.

Nursery is an incredibly popular place for campers to visit as baby animals are irresistible! Depending on the time of day, nursery classes can learn how to bottle feed baby goats or how to be gentle with week old chicks. 

The end of class is dedicated to seeing our sloths and learning about them. Not many campers get the opportunity to visit them, as they are non/limited contact. 

You will be familiar with training across your Course Areas, but this class simplifies and sends a deeper look at the Training Day of the Course. You do not have to just stick with the animals in your Course Area - who you train is dependent on the list the class provides as well as camper interest.

Using your Barn knowledge and a mix of Animal Training skills, you and a group of campers will walk an animal (or animals) of choice. This may include equine, goats, sheep, pigs, porcupines, or even Bentley the Savannah Cat. Animals in use for other classes/courses cannot be stolen for walks without permission.