Youth Programming
Sharing the value of compassion is an important part of our mission. We offer humane education programming to our community’s youth, as together we build a more humane world.
Browse our Youth Programming
In 2025, AWS is embarking on some exciting improvements to our campus as we seek to increase the services we offer to our community’s pets. Due to these updates, we will not be able to host summer campers in the summer of 2025. Most on-site youth programming, including Rescue Readers will remain on hiatus through 2025.
You can find us out in the community at local events and at other organizations’ programs (like our libraries!). no matter where we are, we enjoying sharing our love for animals and offering humane education lessons to our community’s youth.
Special Events
Youth Blog
Humane education lessons incorporate companion animals to help children grow emotionally, socially, culturally and academically. Children who are introduced to humane education are more engaged in their community, more compassionate towards those around them, and more knowledgeable about animals and the world we share.
Upcoming Youth Programs
We offer lessons and programs for children of all ages. Check out what’s coming up soon!
Frequently Asked Questions
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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed eu facilisis libero. Nunc blandit mollis euismod ipsum orci, eu ornare nisi imperdiet non. Integer et congue nulla. In sed semper ante, sit amet interdum urna.
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You’re Invited!
Special Youth Programs with AWS
Special youth programs events take place seasonally at AWS. They are free, family-friendly lessons and celebrations for children of all ages. Unless otherwise noted, please leave family pets at home.
Check out our Youth Programs Calendar to see what special events and learning opportunities are taking place soon.
Spring Bunny Hop
Celebrate warmer days, blooming flowers, and adorable animals with AWS Youth Programs. There will be crafts, stories, face-painting, and springtime animals to meet! Free and fun for the whole family!
(Please leave family pets at home.)
Youth Parade Brigade
March with Youth Programs Coordinator, Miss Amanda, and her doodle dog, Bowie, behind the AWS van in local community parades! Children must be accompanied by a parent/guardian, and so it’s fun for the whole family. Bring a favorite stuffie or your family dog* to join in the fun! Kids receive an AWS cloth backpack and stickers to wear in the parade (as supplies last).
(*Please be sure that your entire party, including dogs, is comfortable in a parade setting before joining the AWS Parade Brigade.)
Paloween
At this FREE, non-spooky, family-friendly event, we’ll have fun crafts, a costume parade for the kiddos (parents, bring those cameras to get pics!), trick-or-treating, and a Halloween themed scavenger hunt around the AWS’ campus. The majority of the event will be held outside so please dress accordingly.
Kids, please bring your own trick-or-treat bag or pail so you can go home with lots of candy, treats, and prizes!
Kids Holiday Party
Fun for the whole family*! Get in the holiday spirit with your AWS friends. Stories, snacks, crafts, pets of all kinds and more! Bring a gift for the pets spending the holidays at AWS.
Drop in anytime! We’ll have special guests to read holiday-themed stories. Crafts run for the whole party. Pets, including cats, dogs and small animals, will be available to visit!
Youth Blog
A blog just for AWS’ youngest participants and their families! Here we feature helpful humane education projects, upcoming youth events, important announcements, fun learning opportunities and lots of ways for students to get involved with pets at AWS and those right in their community. If you’re a pet-loving student (or teacher) who wants to advocate for and learn about animals, you’ve come to the right place!
Questions?
For more information about the programs we offer our community’s youth, please email or telephone (207) 985-3244 ext. 109.
Follow Us!
Hello everyone! My name is Nala and I’m here with my friend Leo. We are friends and would like to find a home together! We were so happy when the AWS staff chose us to be the Pets of the Week this week to talk about why we’ll be double the fun if you bring us home!
Visit our profile to learn why bonded pairs are double the fun!
A very sweet Happy Homes! 🐾
"Charlie is doing great in his new home! After having to say goodbye to our last dog in September `23, we met Charlie in February and fell instantly in love. He’s a big, smart, playful, high-energy pupper! It took a few months for him to really get comfortable with us, but now he’s happy and settled in. He loves playing fetch in the yard, keeping watch for squirrels and pedestrians, and snoozing with his people. We’re so happy that this sweet, beautiful boy is part of our lives!"
Visit our profile to read more Happy Homes stories and submit your own!
This active guy just LOVES his new toy! Bronx is an energetic dog who loves his walks and being outside. He’s also been known for great snuggle sessions on the couch! Visit our profile to meet Bronx 🐾
Teaching your dog to walk with you comfortably is an all-important step if you want to take your dog with you anywhere. Whether it’s a walk on a hiking trail or around a busy city, knowing you can easily walk your dog without worrying they will pull is important! That’s why we teach loose leash walking. A loose leash walk is defined a walk where there is no tension on the leash.
Enjoy this photo from today’s basic class and visit our profile to learn more about loose leash walking!
Vada Faye sure loves her toys! And she`d love to find a new home full of love and toys 🐾
Visit our profile to meet Vada Faye!
