Our Humane Education programs offer fun and innovative ways for community members to advocate for the humane treatment of all animals and to explore the special bond between humans and animals. From Tours and Volunteering to Camps and Youth Programs, there's something for everyone!
Our youth programs, Compassionate Kids Corps and Animal Advocates Club, are now part of our Animal Advocate Academy!
Books Barks MeowAges 4+. Young readers ages 4+ are invited to our facility with a parent or guardian to sit in front of our dog or cat kennels and read to our pets. This program is designed to help develop youth reading skills, while providing enrichment for our homeless animals. Our cats and dogs love the attention and enjoy being read to from novels, non-fiction, picture books, and even schoolwork! Contact kelsie.weisenberger@hinsdalehumanesociety.org to sign up for a slot and then grab a chair to spend some time reading to our animals.
We offer virtual and in-person, educational tours and information sessions to introduce people to our facility, our animals, and the daily work of our staff and volunteers. We welcome a maximum of 20 people to our youth tours; within that count, we require a minimum of two adult chaperones. Group tour guests are limited to the “classroom,” “club,” or “troop” requesting the visit, with no additional guests, ie. siblings, for age-related considerations. Groups of more than 10 are split into two groups for the tours, in all animal-living areas.
Tours are available for all ages and can be arranged by contacting our Humane Education Program Manager. Duration is typically 45 minutes and in-person tours could include a visit with one of our adoptables if we have an age-appropriate dog or cat available at the time of the tour. Additional animal engagement is subject to availability based on the ages of tour guests and is not guaranteed.
We provide youth volunteer opportunities for young volunteers to get involved through our Youth Volunteer Days, Teenternships, and Junior Board, using their voices to implement their creative ideas, all while advocating for animals.
Summer CampOur summer camps strive to show young people how to use their individual skills and voices to express their emotions, advocate, and care for animals while treating pets and people with respect. Visit the Summer Camp page for the most up-to-date information on our camps.
Activity Book (Summer Camp 2021)
