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.

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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.

Literacy & Story Time

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Youth Volunteers

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Classroom Programs

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Full-Day and Part-Day Camps

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Special Events

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Youth Blog

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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!

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    Frequently Asked Questions

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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!

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    Questions?

    For more information about the programs we offer our community’s youth, please email or telephone (207) 985-3244 ext. 109.

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    @aws.maine

    We just happen to have some wonderful Halloween kittens who are ready to find their happy homes! We know it may be a bit early, but there`s nothing spooky about these fuzzy felines. The only thing you have to fear is how much love and happiness they`ll bring to your home!

    Stop by our Adoption Center to meet all our cuddly kittens! We`re open daily from 10am - 4pm! 🎃

    Open
    We just happen to have some wonderful Halloween kittens who are ready to find their happy homes! We know it may be a bit early, but there's nothing spooky about these fuzzy felines. The only thing you have to fear is how much love and happiness they'll bring to your home! Stop by our Adoption Center to meet all our cuddly kittens! We're open daily from 10am - 4pm! 🎃

    Pets are more than just animals; they’re important members of our families! September is 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵, so now`s the perfect time to learn how to include your pets in your family’s emergency plans so everyone can be prepared for the unexpected. You can help stop a disaster become a tragedy before it even happens!

    𝗔𝗻 𝗘𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗞𝗶𝘁
    As mentioned last week, having a pre-made emergency kit for your pet is crucial to keeping them safe should something happen. This kit should be kept up to date, refreshed, and easily accessible to grab or give to someone.

    Necessary items for your pet`s emergency kit should include:

    ✔ Food & Water
    ✔ Medications and Prescriptions
    ✔ A Crate or Carrying Bag
    ✔ Copies of Vaccinations or Medical Records
    ✔ An Animal First Aid Kit
    ✔ Backup leashes and Collars with ID Tags
    ✔ Recent Photo(s) of Your Pet
    ✔ Grooming Supplies (brushes, nail trimmers, wipes, etc.)
    ✔ Familiar Toys, Treats, Bedding, and Other Items
    ✔ Food and Water Bowls
    ✔ Poop Bags, Cat Litter, Shavings, Puppy Pads, etc.
    ✔ Your Contact & Veterinary Information

    Follow along next week as we continue to provide crucial tips and helpful resources during Disaster Preparedness Month!

    Open
    Pets are more than just animals; they’re important members of our families! September is 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵, so now's the perfect time to learn how to include your pets in your family’s emergency plans so everyone can be prepared for the unexpected. You can help stop a disaster become a tragedy before it even happens! 𝗔𝗻 𝗘𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗞𝗶𝘁 As mentioned last week, having a pre-made emergency kit for your pet is crucial to keeping them safe should something happen. This kit should be kept up to date, refreshed, and easily accessible to grab or give to someone. Necessary items for your pet's emergency kit should include: ✔ Food & Water ✔ Medications and Prescriptions ✔ A Crate or Carrying Bag ✔ Copies of Vaccinations or Medical Records ✔ An Animal First Aid Kit ✔ Backup leashes and Collars with ID Tags ✔ Recent Photo(s) of Your Pet ✔ Grooming Supplies (brushes, nail trimmers, wipes, etc.) ✔ Familiar Toys, Treats, Bedding, and Other Items ✔ Food and Water Bowls ✔ Poop Bags, Cat Litter, Shavings, Puppy Pads, etc. ✔ Your Contact & Veterinary Information Follow along next week as we continue to provide crucial tips and helpful resources during Disaster Preparedness Month!

    Dogs are known for their loyalty, and cats for their companionship, but not many know of how fun, loving, and unique a guinea pig can be, like our friend 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗸 here. So, to celebrate our many cute cavies and to help these furry friends get adopted, we’re here to shed some light on why guinea pigs make the perfect pets!

    𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆`𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲.
    Guinea pigs come in many shapes, sizes, and colors, and each pig has their own personality and preferences. Some pigs have long, silky hair while others have short, coarse hair. Some pigs are all black while others can be calico or brindle. There are even guinea pigs who are born naturally bald! And like all animals, pigs have different personalities. Some are more shy and introverted, while others are more outgoing and energetic. No matter what, though, you can bet your cavie will be a loyal and loving companion!

    𝗔𝗱𝗼𝗽𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗸!

    Open
    Dogs are known for their loyalty, and cats for their companionship, but not many know of how fun, loving, and unique a guinea pig can be, like our friend 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗸 here. So, to celebrate our many cute cavies and to help these furry friends get adopted, we’re here to shed some light on why guinea pigs make the perfect pets! 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆'𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲. Guinea pigs come in many shapes, sizes, and colors, and each pig has their own personality and preferences. Some pigs have long, silky hair while others have short, coarse hair. Some pigs are all black while others can be calico or brindle. There are even guinea pigs who are born naturally bald! And like all animals, pigs have different personalities. Some are more shy and introverted, while others are more outgoing and energetic. No matter what, though, you can bet your cavie will be a loyal and loving companion! 𝗔𝗱𝗼𝗽𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗸!

    Dogs are known for their loyalty, and cats for their companionship, but not many know of how fun, loving, and easy-cared for a guinea pig can be, like our friend 𝗗𝗿𝗮𝘅 here. So, to celebrate our many cute cavies and to help these furry friends get adopted, we’re here to shed some light on why guinea pigs make the perfect pets!

    𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆`𝗿𝗲 𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿.
    While every pet requires time, attention, and care, guinea pigs are known for being relatively easy to own. They like larger enclosures with space to roam free, but are usually healthy and hardy animals. They also require bedding, hay, grain, and vegetables, as well as toys, tunnels, and huts. Once they’re all set up and ready to go, however, guinea pigs mostly just require your love and attention!

    𝗔𝗱𝗼𝗽𝘁 𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗗𝗿𝗮𝘅!

    Open
    Dogs are known for their loyalty, and cats for their companionship, but not many know of how fun, loving, and easy-cared for a guinea pig can be, like our friend 𝗗𝗿𝗮𝘅 here. So, to celebrate our many cute cavies and to help these furry friends get adopted, we’re here to shed some light on why guinea pigs make the perfect pets! 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆'𝗿𝗲 𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿. While every pet requires time, attention, and care, guinea pigs are known for being relatively easy to own. They like larger enclosures with space to roam free, but are usually healthy and hardy animals. They also require bedding, hay, grain, and vegetables, as well as toys, tunnels, and huts. Once they’re all set up and ready to go, however, guinea pigs mostly just require your love and attention! 𝗔𝗱𝗼𝗽𝘁 𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗗𝗿𝗮𝘅!

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    Open daily from 10am - 4pm.

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    Open by appointment M-F from 9am - 5pm.

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