Youth Blog

Children sit in front of the AWS van wearing backpacks for Parade Brigade

Youth Parade Brigade

Calling all local families and lovers of parades! AWS’ Youth Programs has a new fun and family-oriented program that’s marching its way to you: Youth Parade Brigade! March with Youth Programs Coordinator, Miss Amanda, and her resident doodle puppy, Bowie,…

Why Fridays are Special

Miss Amanda, as our Youth Programs Coordinator here at AWS, has always loved Fridays. Not because it’s the last day of the work week or because she gets to head home for some weekend fun, but rather because Friday means…

Close up of a black and white rabbit's nose.

Animals in the Arts: Spring Drawing

Are you and your little one ready for the cutest creativity event of the season?! Now that it’s finally spring and the weather is warming up, we know your creative juices are flowing and that it’s time to make something…

A Special March Furry Tales

March is National Reading Month and we’re excited to celebrate by hosting a very special March Furry Tales! We’re collaborating with local children’s book author Jeff Moulton who wrote an adorable little tale titled Mumford Saves the World, based off…

A group of children pose in front of the AWS building during Summer Camp.

AWS Summer Camp Registration

Since winter can’t decide what it wants to do, let’s think ahead to warm July days here in Kennebunk and our Summer Camp 2024! We are gearing up for another great summer experience for our area youth and hope to see…

Close-up of a hamster being held in someones hands.

Cookie’s One Year Anniversary

Have you met Cookie, our Youth Program’s resident hamster? Cookie is a staple in the classroom and was adopted by Youth Program’s Coordinator, Miss Amanda, one year ago on February 15, 2023! Today, we look back on all that Cookie…

A snake wraps around a children's book about snakes during Furry Tales.

Celebrate Serpents with AWS Youth Programs

Did you know that February 1st is National Serpent Day? It also happens to be the start of National Library Lovers Month. We couldn’t think of a better way to share that all February long, Furry Tales will focus on…

A class of elementary students stand in front of the AWS van with a donation of homemade dog leashes.

WES Students Donate Dog Leashes

Back in December of 2023, nineteen students of Wells Elementary School (WES) read a classic novel titled Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo. Inspired by the story of a stray dog adopted by a little girl, classroom teacher Pam Lear…

High-school students in IDEXX lab coats learn from a lab specialist.

AWS’ Animal Care Intensive (ACI)

AWS’ Youth Programs is pleased to announce that the application for AWS’ Animal Care Intensive (ACI) is now open! What is ACI? ACI is a five-day series of workshops for high-school students who have a serious and deep drive to…

children quietly read a story to a yellow lab

Shelby Loves Rescue Readers!

Hi there families and kids! My name is Shelby and I’m a certified therapy dog who sometimes comes to visit AWS on Wednesdays during Rescue Readers. My handler and I love to visit you kids because we believe in the…

Children sit at a table and paint with watercolors in Youth Programs classroom.

December’s Animals in the Arts

Last Wednesday, Youth Programs Coordinator, Miss Amanda, hosted a fun Animals in the Arts class all about learning basic forms and shapes. In this class, young artists focused on how understanding the shape and basic anatomy of an animal can…

Man and son hold a dog training certificate while puppy sits obediently beside them

Dog Training with Kids

Tip: Get the Kids Involved in Training! 𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗸𝗶𝗱𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗼, 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀! You’ve been working hard to train the dog, but don’t forget the kids! From a young age, you…

A child holds up a homemade cat toy and smiles in the Youth Programs Classroom.

Kid’s Challenge!

Children and families: ’tis the season to bring good cheer and tidings! All week long, we’re challenging you to bring happiness and a little festive fun to the animals in your life and here at AWS by being extra good…

Follow Us!

@aws.maine

𝑪𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒃𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝑽𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒆𝒓 𝑨𝒑𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝑾𝒆𝒆𝒌 𝑾𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝑼𝒔! 

𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐕𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐬
Working with both children and pets takes a special and compassionate person, and that’s exactly how we would describe our Youth Programs volunteers! Alongside our Youth Programs Coordinator, volunteers help children visiting with AWS both inside and outside the classroom with fun games, tasks, education and, of course, animals. With programs like Rescue Readers, Furry Tales, and After School Club, there’s a lot to do around here regarding humane education! We’re grateful for the hard work and dedication of our Youth Programs volunteers who assist in teaching compassion, kindness, and care for all creatures!