go online to register today at:

THE ESSENTIAL ANIMAL CAMP ADVENTURE

Dear Parent,

The MSPCA at Nevins Farm Children's Summer Camp teaches lifetime lessons of compassion,

responsibility and respect not only toward animals, but toward all life and the environment as a whole.

Thank you for considering to support our mission by sending your child our summer camp. Every day at

camp is an adventure in animal welfare, where kids can make a difference in the lives of the many

adoptable animals here at Nevins Farm.

Our day camp is hosted for eight weeks during the summer, offered in one week sessions. The eight

sessions are divided by age group (rising grades 2-9) and each session has up to forty eight campers, four

Head Counselors, and between six to twelve volunteer Junior Counselors. Each week our camp has a

humane theme which helps shape discussions, crafts, and guest speaker presentations.

All campers work alongside the barn and adoption center staff, participating in the care of our animals;

activities include mucking horse stalls, cleaning rabbit cages, feeding cats, walking dogs and socializing

(petting and playing with!) the many creatures at the MSPCA at Nevins Farm. In addition to the

experience providing care to a variety of animals on site, campers also learn about important animal

welfare topics in daily discussions, and meet a variety of animal care professionals who participate as

guest speakers. And just like any fun summer camp experience, our campers make crafts, sing songs, and

play games!

Our goal is for your child to have an amazing experience while at the MSPCA Children’s Summer Camp.

So please join us this summer - you won’t regret it!

Danielle Wordell

MSPCA CHILDREN’S SUMMER CAMP DIRECTOR

CHOOSE YOUR SESSION!

Each week the MSPCA Children’s Summer Camp is organized around a theme; the theme of each

session helps dictate the discussions that campers participate in each day, as well as which Guest

Speakers are asked to present that week. All campers participate in both animal care chores as well as

animal visits during their time at camp, as well as learn about the mission of the MSPCA, and animal

sheltering, regardless of the theme.

Session A: A Happy, Healthy Planet | June 27-July 1 | Entering grades 2 , 3

Our focus this week is how we can all help to reduce our carbon footprint through recycling, waste reduction, and being re-

spectful of animal habitats.

Session B: Responsible Pet Care | July 4 –July 8 | Entering grades 3, 4

Learn how to be a responsible animal guardian, at home and in the community. Our focus this week is how to identify what

pets need from us in order to be happy and healthy!

Session C: Animal Behavior | July 11-15 | Entering grades 4, 5*

Our focus this week is how we can shape companion animal behavior to help our pets be the best they can be; we also learn

how animals are used in entertainment and the positives and negatives of these experiences.

Session D: Pet Health & Nutrition | July 18-July 22 | Entering grades 5, 6*

Just like us, animals need plenty of exercise, healthy food, and regular health care in order to live long and healthy lives. Our

focus this week is on animal diet and nutrition, and proper veterinary care.

Session E: Respecting & Protecting Wildlife | July 25-July 29 | Entering grades 5, 6*

Our focus this week is learning how to coexist peacefully with wild animals, the consequences of keeping wildlife as pets, and

how our environmental choices can help wildlife.

Session F: Companion Animal Protection | August 1-August 5 | Entering grades 6, 7*

This week we focus on how we as consumers can make good choices about where our food, clothing and even our pets come

from, and how those choices can make a huge impact on the quality of life for many farm and companion animals.

Session G: Working Animals | August 8-August 12 | Entering grades 7, 8

Join us this week as we learn about careers with animals, as well as important jobs that animals can hold in the community!

Session H: Protecting Animals Globally | August 15-August 19 | Entering grades 8, 9

This week our focus is on how we can help to make an impact issues that effect animals globally, through education and

awareness, legislatively, and consciences consumerism.

REGISTER NOW at: www.mspca.org/nevinssummercamp

*We offer three session options for campers entering grades 5 and 6 because those are our most popular grades.

PARENTS DAY

Join us every Friday from 2-3pm for Parent’s Day! You are invited and encouraged to attend our weekly

celebration where the campers can show off what they learned during their week of camp, view a picture

slideshow of their summer adventure, and take you out to explore Nevins Farm and meet the many

adoptable animals they spent time with over the course of the week!

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

BASIC INFORMATION SESSION LENGTH & TIME:

Five Days, Monday-Friday , 9am-3pm

COST OF CAMP:

$350, INCLUDES DEPOSIT

DEPOSIT:

$25 per camper, NON-REFUNDABLE

FINANCIAL AID AVAILIBLE:

Yes, standard package is $175, INCLUDES DEPOSIT

AFTER CARE AVAILIBLE :

Yes, cost is $50 for the week, for advanced registration or

$13 per day for “drop in” registration. After care hours are

3pm-5:30pm.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

REGISTRATION:

To register, visit www.mspca.org/

nevinssummercamp . Registration is online only;

you are welcome to use the computers at Nevins

Farm if you do not have access to one at home.

CANCELATION POLICY:

The $25 registration fee for camp is not refundable

at any time, so please contact us if you have any

questions prior to registering. If you have paid in

full for camp, and need to cancel prior to May first,

we will refund your tuition minus the $25

registration fee ($325). If you have paid in full and

are canceling at least two weeks prior to the start

of the session your child is registered for, we will

refund half of your tuition, minus the $25

registration fee ($163). Cancellations made less

than two weeks prior to the start of your child's

session are not refundable.

BEFORE AND AFTER CARE:

We do not offer before care, but campers may be

dropped off as early as 8:45am. After care is availa-

ble each week for $50 with advanced registration

(you may register anytime prior to dropping —>

your child off for their first day). “Drop in” after

care is available for $13 per day, which must be

paid in person that day prior to drop off.

FINANCIAL AID:

The MSPCA believes that all children deserve the

opportunity to engage in meaningful humane

education programs, despite financial hardships.

To learn more about our scholarship program,

including the typical scholarship cost,

requirements, and how to apply, please read our

Registration FAQ . Scholarships will be awarded on

a rolling basis, and are made possible with gener-

ous contributions through individual donors.

LICENSING AND ACCREDITATION:

MSPCA Children’s Summer Camp complies with all

the regulations imposed by the Massachusetts

Department of Public Health, and is licensed and

inspected by the Methuen Board of Health.

Parents have the right to request and review the

following: background check, and camp policies

and procedures.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

DUE DATES:

Payment and camper profile is due in full within

two weeks of registration, or being awarded finan-

cial aid. Immunization records are due by May 1st.

BUDDY REQUESTS:

We will honor one buddy request per camper (both

children must request each other). Please indicate

on your child’s camper profile if they have a buddy

request. Most campers make many new friends

throughout the week!

CONTACT US:

Danielle Wordell, MSPCA Summer Camp Director

OFFICE: 978.687.7453 X 6108

CAMP CELL: 978.265.3985*

EMAIL: humaneeducation@mspca.org

FAX: 617.989.1651

*only available June—August

MSPCA at Nevins Farm

ATTN: Summer Camp

400 Broadway

Methuen, MA 01844

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

REGISTRATION

HOW AND WHEN CAN I REGISTER MY CHILD FOR

CAMP?

Registration opens each year on February 1st, and

will be posted until all spots are filled. To register

your child for our camp program, visit

www.mspca.org/nevinssummercamp and submit

an electronic registration. You will receive an email

confirmation that your registration was received by

our staff. A $25 non refundable deposit is required

at the time of registration, and counts toward the

total $350 tuition fee.

CAN I REGISTER MY CHILD TO ATTEND MULTIPLE

WEEKS OF CAMP?

No. Each child may only be registered for one

session, to ensure that we have spots available for

everyone who wants to attend. The reason we

offer multiple sessions for most grade levels is to

allow for more flexibility when scheduling campers

while filling as many spots as possible.

WHEN IS THE FINAL PAPERWORK AND PAYMENT

DUE FOR CAMP?

Camper profile and payment is due no later than

two weeks after you register for camp. Immuniza-

tion records are due no later than May 1, 2016.

Registrations that are incomplete are at risk of for-

feiting their spot and losing their $25 deposit.

THE MSPCA IS A NON PROFIT. CAN I CLAIM MY

TUITION FEE ON MY TAXES?

While the MSPCA is a non profit, the IRS does not

allow you to claim money paid to a non profit for a

service as a charitable deduction. However, you

may be able to claim the cost of camp as a child

care deduction, or on your companies flexible

spending account for dependent care. We

recommend consulting your accountant or HR

department to check. Our tax ID is 042-103-597.

HOW DO I CHANGE THE WEEK I AM REGISTERED

FOR?

It is not easy to accommodate schedule changes

once a session sells out. Contact us by email at

humaneeducation@mspca.org to change weeks,

and we will do our best to accommodate you.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

REGISTRATION

CAN I REGISTER MY CHILD FOR A SESSION THAT IS

NOT FOR HIS GRADE?

While we understand that some children are more

mature than others, or that they may have a sibling

or friend who is attending another session, we do

not allow campers to register for sessions that are

not for their grade. Our summer camp is very

popular and allowing campers to attend sessions

that they are not eligible for would likely mean

that another child who is eligible for that session

would be unable to attend.

I HAVE REGISTERED MY CHILD FOR CAMP...NOW

WHAT?

You will receive an automatic response in your

email inbox within 24 hours with additional

information, including the paperwork we will need

and how to pay your remaining tuition balance. If

you do not receive this email within 24 hours,

please contact our office to be sure it was pro-

cessed. The required paperwork includes a copy of

your child’s immunization history, and a —>

Camper Profile . You should request a copy of your

child’s immunization record as soon as possible (as

it can take doctors offices up to two weeks to pro-

cess such requests). If your child has an appoint-

ment to see the doctor after the due date, but prior

to the start of camp please submit their immuniza-

tion record before the deadline and submit an up-

dated copy as it becomes available.

HOW DO I PAY FOR CAMP?

We prefer that people pay online, using a credit or

debit card. After registration, you have two weeks

to pay your remaining balance. If you would prefer

to pay in person using cash, credit or debit, you

may do so during our normal business hours.

PLEASE DO NOT MAIL CHECKS, we are regrettably

unable to accept checks as payment for camp.

HOW DO I SUBMIT MY CAMP PAPERWORK?

Camper Profiles and immunization records can be

submitted by fax (617.989.1651), email

(humaneeducation@mspca.org), snail mail

(MSPCA at Nevins Farm, ATTN: SUMMER CAMP,

400 Broadway Methuen MA, 01844), or dropped

off in person during normal business hours.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

REGISTRATION

HOW DO I APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID?

The MSPCA believes that all children deserve the

opportunity to engage in meaningful humane edu-

cation programs, despite financial hardships. While

we make great efforts to offer financial assistance

to families in need, our funds are limited and we

may have to make tough decisions if our requests

exceed our scholarships. We offer partial scholar-

ships to families in need of financial assistance,

typically offering to cover $175 of the camp tuition

(half). After you register, you will receive an email

response with directions for submitting your

financial aid application online. You should have

information handy, including your monthly

household income, your rent/mortgage expenses,

and any government programs for which you re-

ceive assistance. This is due at the same time that

you register.

THE SESSION I WANTED TO REGISTER FOR IS SOLD

OUT, DO YOU HAVE A WAIT LIST?

Yes. Please email us to be added to the wait list.

WHAT IF I APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID AND AM

DENIED? DO I GET MY $25 DEPOSIT BACK?

We will make an exception to our no refund policy

on the registration fee for families who are denied

financial aid. Financial aid is usually granted to

anyone who receives help from government

assistance programs. Families also have the

opportunity to share with us any extenuating

circumstances when submitting their application.

Please keep in mind when applying that our funds

are limited, and accepted on a rolling basis. We ask

that families who can otherwise afford camp, but

may need a payment plan, contact us directly to

work something out.

WHAT IF I CANNOT AFFORD THE $175 REDUCED

FEE?

We may still be able to help, depending on funding

and the number of financial aid requests received.

Please contact our office directly before registering

if you think you will need additional assistance.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

PROGRAM

HOW MANY CAMPERS ARE IN MY CHILD’S

SESSION? WHAT IS THE RATIO OF STAFF TO

CHILDREN, AND WHAT TRAINING DOES THE STAFF

RECEIVE?

There are as many as 48 campers in each

session. For most activities, campers will be work-

ing in smaller groups of 12 or 24. In addition to the

Summer Camp Director, there are four Head

Counselors and about eight Junior Counselors per

session. The Director and Head Counselors are

CPR/First Aid Certified; Junior Counselors also

receive basic First Aid Training during their

orientation. All camp staff members attend special

training and orientation at the MSPCA, and are fully

CORI/SORI checked prior to camp.

MY CHILD IS ALLERGIC TO (ANIMALS, NUTS, HAY,

ECT.) CAN THEY STILL ATTEND CAMP?

This depends on the severity of your child's

allergies and their comfort level around hay or

animals. Our facility is very clean and has great

ventilation, but we house hundreds of animals —>

in a relatively confined space, which can be too

much for some allergy sufferers. Children with

mild allergies have attended camp in the past and

had a lot of fun doing so. However, if your child's

allergies are severe enough that they cannot

comfortably share a room with several animals (or

even hay), whether or not they are touching them,

then Summer Camp at the MSPCA is probably not

the best choice for them. If your child has mild

allergies, and you're not sure whether or not camp

will be too much for them, a great way to check in

advance is to visit our adoption center and spend

time in our cat (or rabbit, or dog) rooms. Due to

the variety of animal feeds and other products

used throughout the property, we are not a pea-

nut-free environment. Children with mild peanut

allergies have attended camp in the past; if this

situation also applies to your child, please consult

your child’s pediatrician to determine the safest

course of action.

IS TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM CAMP

AVAILIBLE?

We do not provide transportation to camp.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

PROGRAM

WHAT SHOULD MY CHILD BRING TO CAMP EACH

DAY?

Campers should dress in comfortable clothing that

they do not mind getting a little dirty, and

comfortable sneakers. We recommend bringing

rubber rain boots for cleaning in the chicken coop

and horse stalls, a sweatshirt for inside areas (our

AC is cranked pretty high), sunscreen, bug

repellant, a snack, lunch, a reusable water bottle

(we have refilling stations), change of clothing just

in case, and foul weather gear (we will go outside

for animal care chores in the rain). We have

cubbies to store extra belongings throughout the

day. Campers are allowed to bring cameras, video

recorders, and cell phones but we are not

responsible for lost, stolen, or broken valuables.

Please do not bring sandals (even if they have

covered toes), open toed shoes, handheld video

game consoles, jewelry or anything valuable that

you are concerned about to camp. Cell phones are

not allowed at camp. If your child needs to bring a

cell phone with them, please check it in with —>

with the camp director in the morning, and it will

be returned to them when they leave.

DOES MY CHILD NEED TO BRING A LUNCH EACH

DAY?

Yes, you need to pack a healthy lunch and snack for

camp each day. We have refrigeration available for

lunches, but do not have access to microwaves or

stoves. We ask that parents help us to reinforce

what your children are learning at camp by using as

much reusable or recyclable material as possible to

pack your child’s lunch each day :)

WHAT TYPES OF ANIMALS WILL MY CHILD MEET

AT THE MSPCA SUMMER CAMP?

The types of animals who are waiting to be

adopted into loving homes at Nevins Farm

constantly changes, but we typically have lots of

dogs, cats, horses, rabbits, chickens, ducks, pigs,

guinea pigs, chinchillas, ferrets, sheep, goats, cows

exotic birds, alpacas, and the occasional reptile at

our facility as well. Animals at Nevins Farm come in

all age groups; babies, adults, and seniors. Animals

are pre selected by our adoption center staff

before visiting with our campers.