And we’ve made it to the last day of camp. It felt fast but time flies when you’re having fun. Friday morning, the campers got up after a night full of fun activities. They took their dogs out to go potty and came back to the barn to lay back on their beds for a little while. Then it was time to get started, so the campers deflated their air mattresses, packed up their stuff, and prepared for the day ahead.

The campers chose Starbucks for breakfast, so once their things were packed up they loaded onto the bus and we headed out. Once everyone had ordered their breakfast, we headed back to Doglando. 

Back at the barn, the campers had a little time before the outing, so they sat in a circle and talked about whatever they liked.

Today's outing was to Encore--an assisted living and memory care community. Before we left, the campers had a discussion about why we were visiting there and what was to be expected.

Then, the campers got their dogs and loaded them onto the buses. When we arrived at Encore, the campers entered one-at-a-time and were assigned to different stations to go sit and talk with the people who live there.

They talked about their dogs and Doglando, and rotated every few minutes, so everyone had a chance to meet each camper and dog.

This is an incredibly fulfilling, wholesome, and warming experience that Camp Doglando never fails to provide.

After Encore, it was time to go to the Avalon Marketplace for lunch. When we got there, the campers were seated and took turns in groups walking around the lake to release some of their dogs' energy. They ate lunch while engaging in lively conversations with other guests.

Once everyone was done, it was time to head back to Doglando. Back at camp, everyone had to start setting up for graduation. They cleaned out the barn and set up all the chairs and stations that they would be demonstrating with.

When everything was set up, they took their dogs out to play on the grass strip. After everyone came back inside, the campers had a little time before graduation so they decided to go out to Nature Play, then jumped into the pool for a nice cool down. 

After some fun in the sun, the campers went inside to change and discuss how graduation was supposed to go. They took turns signing each other’s camp shirts and trying to relieve each other of pre-graduation jitters. You could hear some of the campers "protesting" graduation, as they knew it would mean the end of camp. 

Around 4pm, guests had arrived and graduation began. We started off with introductions and each camper made a little speech about what Camp Doglando had taught them. Then there were Thank You’s to everyone who was involved in Camp, including the dog rescues and the parents and families.

Before showcasing the campers and their dogs' training, we got to watch all the videos that each of the campers had made for their dogs. Then it was time to move into the next barn to start the exercises that the campers had been working on so diligently over the past two weeks.

Once the exercises were over, the campers took their dogs out to potty, then went into the back barn, while their parents were moved into the front barn. We closed the barn doors to allow a personal moment for the campers and their dogs.

We do not document this time as it is sacred and sentimental for each camper to spend this final time with their dog. This moment is something they hold near and dear to their hearts, and they hold their dogs close. Once everyone had said what they needed to say, the parents were allowed in.

Then it was time to share who had adoption applications and to send the dogs back with their rescues to finish the adoption process.

The campers said their goodbyes and hugged each other tightly, knowing they had loved and helped their dogs with everything they had.

And with that, Camp Session 2 came to a close. What a great one!

Until Summer 2025,

-Ayla
Camp Volunteer