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Junior Vet Camps
FAQs
Oxbow’s vet camp is academic in nature and designed specifically for youth interested in animal science and veterinary science. Lessons and activities are focused on science-based principles and skills that veterinarians use every day to treat and diagnose their animal patients. Campers will also get to meet a live animal each day during our “Animal of the Day” session.
Camp runs from 8-4 Monday through Thursday. Check in starts at 7:45 a.m.
The daily activities are classroom based, and in between the 30 minute to 1 hour lessons, we allow time for social breaks, lunch and snacks.
- 2 snacks a day
- Camp materials (scrubs, stethoscopes, tools, and classroom activity supplies)
- Guidance from fun, knowledgeable counselors
- Camp t-shirt
Yes. Lunch is NOT provided by Oxbow Vet Camp, so your camper will need to bring a lunch each day.
The sessions are the same, except the animal of the day and guest veterinarian may sometimes vary by location.
All locations do the same set of activities. Campers at Elmwood/Murdock Elementary do the same activities as those attending the Westside Community Center or Bellevue University.
You can add yourself to the waiting list for that particular session, and/or choose a different session.
Junior Vet Camp is designed for kids completing 2-5 grades in 2022. Sorry, 1st graders going into 2nd grade are not eligible.
Because of the content and the curriculum of the camp, 5th graders will have to wait until they are a year older and should plan on attending Junior this year. The intermediate curriculum is appropriate for those completing 6-8th grade; their ability to do the activities in the Intermediate camp relies on the competencies and experiences they have at that level.
Please note, the 5th graders at junior vet camp will experience a different set of curriculum from the junior vet camp in the past, as well as take part in activities that are challenging and appropriate for them. They will have an opportunity to go more in-depth in the activities than the younger ages.
Between 48 and 60, depending on the session. *Please note, this may be affected by directed heath measures/CDC guidance or venue policies*
Our instructors are generally a mix of college students with an interest in education, animal science, or veterinary science.
Instructors must pass a background check and drug test.
Instructors will go through risk-management training and they will follow strict safety guidelines.
During the classroom activities, and depending on the final number of participants, it will be at most 1:12. *Please note, this may be affected by directed heath measures/CDC guidance or venue policies*
- Casual, comfortable appropriate clothing.
- Lunch
- No open-toed shoes are allowed due to safety concerns. We will be active and walking, and it is safer if your child wears good shoes. *Please note, additional requirements (i.e. masks) may also be in place based on directed heath measures/CDC guidance or venue policies*
For all urgent messages during camp hours, parents are welcome to call Oxbow’s main number at 800-249-0366 and the message will be relayed to the Camp Director or head instructor immediately.
Refunds are available until 2 weeks prior to Day 1 of the session. After that, registration fees are non-refundable. However, Oxbow will make every attempt to add the camper to a different session.
- Campers will get the opportunity to ask a veterinarian questions
- Campers will see a live animal each day to journal and learn about.
- Campers will learn how to suture using plastic needles.
- Campers will learn about musculoskeletal system, dentition, and parasites.
- Campers perform a mock surgery including prepping for surgery, suturing, proper surgery room protocol and how a surgeon dresses for surgery (scrubs, gloves, head covers, shoe covers, & masks).
Due to our 3-year rotating curriculum, a high percentage of the vet camp activities are completely different from year to year. Some components (prepping and performing the mock surgery, vet skills, and the animal of the day) are consistent from year to year, but the majority of lessons change annually.
Yes. On Thursday, we host a parent open house from 3-4:00 p.m. *Please note, this may be affected by directed heath measures/CDC guidance or venue policies*
