Today was an exciting day: the first day of Session 2 camp!

The campers started their day with icebreakers to help get to know everyone a little better. Everyone sat in a circle and went around introducing themselves and answering different questions.

After the introductions, we played some fun games that required teamwork! 

First, the campers were challenged with the task of matching their shoes to each other after they had been piled up in the middle of the circle.

Then they had to untangle themselves from being clustered together all holding hands - this last game really tested their balancing abilities.

After that, the campers took a tour of Doglando, where they learned how Doglando operates differently from a doggy day care. Campers were able to experience the campus environment using all five of their senses, just as dogs do. They were encouraged to think about how the differences between Doglando and a doggy daycare could make a dog feel.

Then, everyone gathered in the observation room to watch Doglando members' dogs interact in the Nature Play area. They saw dogs of all different breeds, ages, genders, and sizes, and discussed what they saw while they learned a little bit about each one. 

Next, the campers loaded onto the dog bus to go to Orange County Animal Services. This was another opportunity for them to experience an environment different from Doglando. 

At OCAS, most of the kennels hold 2 dogs. There is no air conditioning and many of the dogs are vocal, anxious, or visibly stressed.

The campers were also taken to Petsmart, where they saw how different types of animals are kept at the store. They were asked to compare these environments, once again using their five senses, and to think about how these animals might be feeling. 

The campers ate their lunch on the way back, and when they got to the barn they completed some of the worksheets found in their camp binders. 

Before they met the camp dogs, they went through an exercise to learn how to properly hold their leashes, and filled their treat pouches.

Then, campers lined up with their backs against the crates and dropped one-kibble-at-a-time into the crate, allowing the dog to smell them without being too overstimulated.

Slowly, the campers turned and faced the dogs as they rotated around to visit each crate. When every camper had sat with every dog, they learned how to safely and properly transfer leashes with one another to switch dogs.

The campers each took a dog out to the grass strip to have a chance to get to know all the dogs and see what they are like.

This is when the campers started to develop preferences for which dog they might like more. Once everyone had walked every dog, they returned to the barn. The campers who knew which dog they wanted to be paired with sat in front of that dog's crate, while those who didn’t have a preference stood to the side and picked a dog that had not been chosen yet.

With that, each camper was paired with the dog they would be working with for the next two weeks.

Before everyone left for the day, they got a picture taken with their dog. The campers filled their treat pouches, moved the crates and their dogs to their permanent stations, and learned the rules of doggie sleepover. Then they got to head home for their first night with their dogs!

More camp adventures are coming tomorrow,

- Ayla

Session 2 volunteer