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.

Home | Youth

Browse our Youth Programming

AWS’ on-site Youth Programs, including day camps, Rescue Readers, and after school clubs are on hiatus for the 2024-2025 school year. You can find us out in the community at events and programs, sharing our love for animals and offering humane education lessons to our community’s youth.

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!

  • Tats 4 Tails

    Dark Harbor Tattoo & Golden Scale Tattoo present the 4th annual Tats 4 Tails, a fundraiser for ARLGP, AWS and Midcoast Humane.

    Read More
  • Microchip & Rabies Vaccine Clinic

    Free microchip and rabies clinic for dogs and cats over 12 weeks of age.

    Read More

Frequently Asked Questions

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed eu facilisis libero. Nunc blandit mollis euismod ipsum orci, eu ornare nisi imperdiet non.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

@aws.maine

Adoptable Daisy loooooves butt scritches!!!!#adoptme #asmr
As @fema's Disaster Preparedness Month comes to a close, we remind everyone to prepare not only themselves, but their pets as well. As you put together your disaster preparedness kit, remember that no matter the type of emergency, it’s always important to have updated and accurate contact information for:

☎️ Your local first responders (911 and non-emergency contact information)
☎️ Your local animal shelters (like AWS if you live in York County)
☎️ Animal control officers (usually reached through the police or sheriff non-emergency number)

Bookmarking their websites and following them on social media is a great way to keep in touch during an emergency. These points of contact could help in a multitude of ways by providing information, safety, or resources for you and your pet during a disaster. Your County Animal Response Team (CART), part of your county’s emergency management agency may also offer resources. In times of great emergency, AWS partners with local emergency organizations to provide a safe haven for pets when their people must evacuate and enter a local emergency shelter.

For more information on disaster preparedness for your pet, visit our website: https://animalwelfaresociety.org/helpful-resources/disaster-preparedness/
It's time for Sam's first daily walk!!!! 🙌🙌

Sam is a handsome young fellow looking for a new family to love. The way to Sam's heart - snacks. he will never say no to a treat! He loves to take walk and explore the neighborhood with his nose. There isn't a scent he doesn't want to investigate further. Looking for a hiking buddy? A beach buddy? A walk around the block buddy? Sam's the man!
Stop by this weekend to learn more about Sam!!