DENVER - Alex Shipman might be off school for winter break, but he is still learning. The third-grader is attending Critter Camp at the Denver Dumb Friends League where the lessons are in responsibility.
"The idea being that we're going to teach kids about kindness, compassion, respect towards not only animals, but towards all living things," Nicole Schimming, humane education manager at the Dumb Friends League, said.
Shipman is one of dozens of elementary school students signed up for the programs at Quebec Street shelter. He is learning about pet care, over population, and pet safety.
"Where to pet them and where not to pet them," Shipman said.
Shipman and other kids also learn how to train the animals to get them more socialized and adjusted to life at the shelter.
"I like making them feel comfortable because I don't want them to be scared or not know where they are," Shipman said.
They use clickers to prompt the animals before petting them or giving them a treat.
"When the kids clicker-train with our pets, both cats and dogs, that builds confidence," Schimming said.
The students also engage in crafts making items like toys for cats in the adoption room. Grace Carstensen, a fifth grader, says she like being able to help.
"We're making cat toys form them cause they need more toys to get them all stimulated so they can get adopted," Carstensen said. "To feel like you're helping, it really makes you proud and can really help you in life."
Schimming says it's a great way to keep kids learning even away from school.
"It's something that you would think that we would all know, unfortunately, nobody teaches about cats and dogs having different body language," she said.
The camps are offered during winter break and during summer vacation. The camps can cost about $50 a day. There are weekly rates as well. If you want to find out more, visit http://www.ddfl.org/education/kids-teens.
"It's nice that we have something that they're interested in and we can add to that," Schimming said. "It's that automatic engagement and they take it from there. It's just amazing."
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