Camps at HSC
Summer Camp 2026 sign-ups are now open!
2026 Session Dates and Themes
To ensure correct registration, please select a camp date from the column that matches your child’s rising grade. Clicking a date will take you to the registration page for that specific camp session.
| Rising 1st – 2nd Grade | Rising 3rd – 5th Grade | Rising 6th – 8th Grade | Rising 9th – 10th Grade |
| June 15 – June 19 July 13 – July 17 August 3 – August 7 | June 22 – June 26 July 20 – July 24 August 10 – August 14 | June 8 – June 12 June 29 – July 3 July 27 – July 31 | June 15 – June 19 June 22 – June 26 July 13 – July 17 July 20 – July 24 August 3 – August 7 August 10 – August 14 |
| $380 per Camper | $380 per Camper | $380 per Camper | $200 per C.I.T. |
Pawsitive Pals
Rising 1st – 2nd Grade
Join us as we explore how compassion and empathy shine throughout an animal’s journey at the Humane Society of Charlotte. During the week, campers will learn about animal safety, belonging, and enrichment, discovering how to make a pawsitive impact in their community. Click here to see a sample schedule.
Shelter Explorers
Rising 3rd – 5th Grade
Embark on an adventure to champion the well-being of companion animals! Campers will dive into the worlds of animal behavior science, veterinary medicine, and shelter care. Through hands-on activities and creative problem-solving, they’ll uncover new ways to support and care for animals with curiosity, compassion, and teamwork. Click here to see a sample schedule.
Animal Perspectives
Rising 6th – 8th Grade
Let’s decode the ways people and animals communicate! Campers will step behind the scenes of shelter operations, clinic work, and dog training to see collaboration and empathy in action. Throughout the week, they’ll use these experiences to interpret and share animal perspectives through storytelling, art, and other creative projects. Click here to see a sample schedule.
Counselors in Training (CITs)
Rising 9th – 10th Grade
The Counselor-in-Training (CIT) Program is a leadership-focused summer experience for rising 9th and 10th graders who want to build confidence, develop new skills, and be part of the fun and purpose of camp at the Humane Society of Charlotte. CITs discover how compassion, responsibility, and respect for animals guide the work we do with campers and our community.
CITs support camp by helping guide activities, assisting younger campers, and modeling kind and respectful behavior for both people and animals. With guidance from our staff, they practice communication, teamwork, and problem-solving while discovering how to use these skills to make a meaningful difference for animals and the people who care for them.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Animal interactions are one of the most exciting parts of camp! Most hands-on experiences are with our animal ambassadors—volunteer-owned dogs who have been trained to be comfortable around groups of children and completed a behavior assessment. Because these experiences rely on volunteers, hands-on time may vary. Campers will also meet shelter animals, but direct contact is limited to keep both animals and campers safe and comfortable, as many animals are not used to large groups of children. Campers may help make treats for dogs or play with kittens using a wand, giving animals enrichment and socialization while still keeping everyone safe. Even with limited hands-on time, campers have plenty of opportunities to see, observe, and connect with animals throughout the week!
Yes, extended care is available until 5:00pm, one hour after camp ends. Extended care is $70 for the week and can be added during registration.
No, we kindly ask that your camper bring a snack and a lunch each day of camp.
To give more campers the chance to attend HSC and because themes and schedules repeat throughout the summer, we kindly ask that each child be registered for only one week of summer camp.
If the week you are trying to register for is full, you can join the waitlist for that session during the registration process. Please note, joining the waitlist does not guarantee a spot.
Cancellations must be made 3 weeks prior to the camp start date to receive a refund.