- Youth Programs
- Select a Program
Youth Programs
HSPPR offers programming just for children and teens to learn all about animals.
Building paw-sitive relationships with pets
Our mission to build a compassionate community where animals and people are cared for and valued extends beyond our day-to-day shelter operations. When we show children how to be responsible and compassionate, they are empowered to set a positive example. Our wide variety of programs, from classroom presentations to tours to day camps, encourage respect for people, animals, and the environment, and recognize the interdependence of all living things. Animals and kids – we’re better together!
Frequently asked questions
Community and Scout programs
Looking for badge or project opportunities for your troop? We offer a variety of programs just for youth scout programs.
Story Tails reading program
Does your child need some practice reading? Our cats and small mammals are great listeners and never judge!
School and teacher programs
From school programs to teacher professional development, we’re here to foster empathy and respect.
Scholarship
program
Thanks to our donors, we can offer a scholarship program to cover program fees for qualifying schools, families, and community organizations.
You must be at least 16 years old to volunteer with HSPPR. Please visit our Volunteer page for more information. If your child would like to volunteer and is 15 years old or younger, please consider a donation drive of frequently needed items or donating shelter-approved handmade toys from our Enrichment Projects for Pets guide.
Yes, we do. We charge minimal program fees to offset the costs of our education programs so we can funnel more funds to our animal care programs. We also offer scholarships that can cover part or all of the program fees for schools, families, and other community organizations. For more information and to apply for a scholarship, please visit our Scholarship page.
We offer different programs that are designed for children 5 years old through adults. If you are unsure what program would be best for your child, please contact education@hsppr.org or call 719-302-8739.
We are committed to being a resource for our community, so if you would like to get more information for a school project, please fill out a student help request form. Due to the volume of requests we receive, please allow for up to 2 weeks for a response for our education team.
The best way to help the animals in our care is by holding a donation drive. We appreciate any monetary donations or items from our Amazon Wish List. If your children would like to make something handmade for the animals, we recommend the shelter-approved projects in our Enrichment Projects for Pets guide. For the health and safety of the animals in our care, we, unfortunately, can’t accept any homemade animal treats or food.
Student resources
From project ideas to data you might need for a class project, we’ve got resources to help students learn about animal welfare and HSPPR. Visit our Student Resource Center for additional information.
Sophia, Young Donor & Camp Whiskers & Wags Alum
Sophia is on a mission to make a difference for dogs, cats, and critters right here in our community. Thanks, Sophia, for helping spread the word!
