Humane Education
Our Humane Education programs offer fun and innovative ways for community members to advocate for the humane treatment of all animals and to explore the special bond between humans and animals. From Tours and Volunteering to Camps and Youth Programs, there's something for everyone!
Youth Programs
Our youth program, Animal Advocates Club, is now part of our Animal Advocate Academy!
Books Barks Meows Ages 4+
Young readers ages 4+ are invited to our facility with a parent or guardian to sit in front of our dog or cat kennels and read to our pets. This program is designed to help develop youth reading skills, while providing enrichment for our homeless animals. Our cats and dogs love the attention and enjoy being read to from novels, non-fiction, picture books, and even schoolwork!
This is a walk-in program, so come in during open hours at HHS, no sign-up required. Please note that we allow a maximum of two children each hour. Also, during busy times, visits and animal availability are at the discretion of HHS.
Tours
We offer virtual and in-person, educational tours and information sessions to introduce people to our facility, our animals, and the daily work of our staff and volunteers. We welcome a maximum of 20 people to our youth tours; within that count, we require a minimum of two adult chaperones. Group tour guests are limited to the “classroom,” “club,” or “troop” requesting the visit, with no additional guests, ie. siblings, for age-related considerations. Groups of more than 10 are split into two groups for the tours, in all animal-living areas.
Tours are available for all ages and can be arranged by contacting our Humane Education Program Manager at Humane.Ed@hinsdalehumanesociety.org. Duration is typically 45 minutes and in-person tours could include a visit with one of our adoptables if we have an age-appropriate dog or cat available at the time of the tour. Additional animal engagement is subject to availability based on the ages of tour guests and is not guaranteed.
Volunteering
We provide youth volunteer opportunities for young volunteers to get involved through our Pawsitive Impact Program, Teenternships, and Junior Board, using their voices to implement their creative ideas, all while advocating for animals.
Camps
Our strive to show young people how to use their individual skills and voices to express their emotions, advocate, and care for animals while treating pets and people with respect.
Visit the Single Day Camps page for the information about our upcoming camps.
More Resources
Humane Education Program Sponsor
