Youth Events

CAMPS

Children in third, fourth and fifth grades (and 6th and 7th during the summer at our Summer Career Camp) can come explore the amazing world of animals in these one-day and week-long camps! Our goal is to teach children about compassion and respect for the world around them. By giving kids a rewarding experience learning about animals and animal welfare, we will provide them with lessons to help them make responsible decisions regarding the animals and people in their lives.

Please sign each child up for only one summer session, as we want to provide this experience for as many campers as possible.

If you need financial assistance, please email Lauren Pipis at lpipis@ddfl.org before registering.

Pawsitive Service Day

Paws-itive Service Day is an opportunity for 8 – 11 year olds to explore the amazing world of shelter pets. From safety to pet care, we’ll cover it all! Experienced and enthusiastic staff will give your child 2 hours of learning through activities, crafts, and hands-on animal interactions.

Youth Volunteer Day

Youth Volunteer Day is an opportunity for students aged 8-11 to experience three of our most popular programs in one day: Pawsitive Service Day, and Tales for Tails (includes a break for lunch). What should my child bring? Students need to bring a book (to read to read to animals), wear closed-toe shoes, as well as provide their own lunch.


DFL BADGE SCOUT DAY AT THE SHELTER

Does your troop or pack want to earn our very own Dumb Friends League Badge? In this 2-hour event, scouts will take a tour of the Leslie Malone Center, complete a service project, and participate in an interactive lesson about animal welfare. $15 per scout.

Grades: Scout Packs or Troops

Session Length: 2 Hours

HOMESCHOOL DAY AT THE SHELTER

Participants in our 2-hour homeschool program will take a tour of the Leslie Malone Center, complete a service project for the shelter pets, and learn how to stay safe around new dogs. $10 per student.

Grades: K-12

Session Length: 2 Hours

PET CARE BADGE SCOUT DAY AT THE SHELTER

Are your scouts howling for their Pet Care badge? Earn it at the Dumb Friends League! Troops and packs can join us for a 2-hour event and discover what it takes to care for our furry friends. Take a tour of the Leslie Malone Center and complete a fun service project to benefit the homeless pets waiting for adoption. $10 per scout

Grades: Scout Packs or Troops

Session Length: 2 Hours

PAINTING FOR SCOUTS

This program is for scouts looking to flex their creative muscle and support the amazing world of shelter pets. Experienced and enthusiastic staff will give your child 90 minutes of artistic service learning through an educational lesson, tour, and painting time! The artwork completed will be kept by the Dumb Friends League and given to the animals’ adoptive family, a keepsake of the day they bring their new best friend home. Please note that this is not a “learn to paint” program. 
$20 per scout; payable on the day of the program.

Grades: Scout Packs or Troops

Session Length: 1.5 Hours


LESSONS

Appropriate for ages ranging from pre-kindergarten to adult, our Humane Education lessons range from 30 min – 1 hour, and can be held at our shelter or hospital locations, or at your school!

Through the lens of compassion and respect, we teach lessons about animals and animal welfare, helping people make responsible decisions regarding the animals and people in their lives.

Animal Abuse and the Violence Connection

Description:
Participants learn about the cycle of abuse and the strong link between animal abuse and other violent crimes. Together, the class explores Colorado laws pertaining to animals and how animal cruelty investigators help protect them. By the end of this class, participants will understand several strategies to help prevent animal abuse and violence and to foster respect and compassion in their communities and schools.

Grades: 9-12, Adults

Session Length: 45 minutes

Bully Prevention

Description:

In this lesson the students participate in an interactive lesson that discusses empathy and bully towards our furry friends as well as people

Grades: 1-8

Session Length: 1 Hour

Careers in Animal Welfare

Description:
Many animal-loving students think that their only career choice is to become a veterinarian, but there are many other possibilities. Students learn about the various jobs available at animal shelters and beyond, including educators, investigators, kennel technicians and groomers, to name just a few. This class teaches students about some animal-related jobs and the qualifications necessary for each of them.

Grades: 6-12

Session Length: 45 minutes

Caring for Pets

Description:
Pets are an important part of our families for many reasons. Students play an interactive game while discussing the needs of a family pet and learn the details of pet care so they can enjoy happy, healthy pets throughout their lives.

Grades: K-8

Session Length: 45 minutes

Cat Behavior 101

Description:
Why do cats rub against furniture? Are cats predators or prey? This lesson explores the behavior of our lovable feline friends and discusses some of the challenges they face in our society. Students will also learn why owning a cat is actually good for your health!

Grades: 6-12, Adults

Session Length: 45 minutes

Click & Learn: Behavior Training for Pets

Description:

The Dumb Friends League strongly believes in positive reinforcement clicker training. In this program, you will learn what clicker training is and how to use to teach your pet cool new tricks or address behavior issues.

Grades: 3-12, Adults

Session Length: 45 minutes

DFL 101

Description:
Is your school or community group interested in learning about the Dumb Friends League, which is nationally recognized as one of the top animal shelters in the nation? This class will help students understand how the Dumb Friends League fits into the animal welfare movement, in addition to how students can help the homeless pets and horses in our care. Why does our name include the word “Dumb”? Why do animals end up in shelters, and how do we help them find new homes? We’ll cover it all!

Grades: K-12, Adult

Session Length: 30 minutes

Our Wild Neighbors

Description:
Here in Colorado, we don’t have to go far to find wild animals. Many of our neighborhoods are home to wild creatures. Students will play an interactive game while learning fun facts about local wildlife and what they can do to help wild animals living in nearby habitats.

Grades: 3-8

Session Length: 45 minutes

Pet Care Jeopardy

Description:

Test your proper pet care knowledge about cats, dogs, small mammals, and various other pets with Pet Care Jeopardy. Even if you get the answer wrong, you’ve learned a cool new fact!

Grades: 5-8

Session Length: 45 Minutes

Pet Learning Theory

Description:

How does a pet learn? Ever wonder why your dog gets excited when you pick up your car keys? In this class, participants discover why our pets behave in certain ways. Topics include classical and operant conditioning, reinforcement and training techniques.

Grades: 9-12, Adults

Session Length: 45 minutes

Pets vs. Wild Animals: What’s the Difference?

Description:
Here in Colorado, you can see wildlife just about anywhere you go! Participants in this class learn how to safely enjoy watching wildlife and what they can do to help wild animals living in nearby habitats. By the end of this course, students will have an understanding of the difference between wild and domesticated animals.

Grades: K-2

Session Length: 45 minutes

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Description:
This course is designed specifically for preschool-age children and teaches students how to meet a pet by practicing some basic steps. Students discover how respecting an animal’s feelings will keep everyone safe.

Grades: Preschool

Session Length: 30 minutes

Respecting the Icky, Ugly & Not so Cuddly

Description:
Do only furry, cuddly animals deserve our respect? What about the slimy, scaly and not-so-cuddly creatures? Students learn how our society, their family, past experiences and the media influence our perception of animals. By the end of this course, students will understand that some of these seemingly scary animals are cool after all.

Grades: K-5

Session Length: 45 minutes

Safety Around Cats

Description:
Petting or playing with a cat may be fun, but is it always safe? This course teaches students how to meet a cat by practicing some basic steps. Students will learn what a cat’s body posture may be communicating and how respecting an animal’s feelings will keep everyone safe.

Grades: K-5

Session Length: 45 minutes

Safety Around Dogs

Description:
Petting a dog may be fun, but is it always safe? This course teaches students how to meet a dog by practicing some basic steps. Students will learn what an animal’s body posture may be communicating about how he or she is feeling, and how respecting an animal’s feelings will keep everyone safe.

Grades: K-8

Session Length: 45 minutes

Tales for Tails

Description:

Students will quietly read aloud to one of our friendly ambassador dogs as they roam around the room visiting each student. Our Tales for Tails Reading to Pets program provides a fun and judgment-free reading experience for individuals learning to, or working on their reading skills.

Grades: K-12

Session Length: 45 minutes

The Sad Truth Behind Puppy Mills

Description:
How much is that doggy in the window? In this day and age, there are a number of different outlets you can turn to when you’re looking for a pet, but some options are better than others. In this class, participants discover the truth behind puppy mills and the price these dogs pay to meet the public’s demand for puppies.

Grades: 9-12, Adults

Session Length: 45 minutes

Too Many Pets, Not Enough Homes: Overpopulation

Description:
This class challenges participants to discuss pet overpopulation and why it is a problem. Participants learn about spaying and neutering and why this simple surgery is a healthy, responsible choice for our pets.

Grades: 2-12, Adults

Session Length: 45 minutes

Understanding Pets: Why They Do What They Do

Description:
Have you ever wondered why your pet engages in what seems like strange behavior from time to time? This program dives into our companion animals’ body language and basic behaviors that they have carried over from their ancient ancestors.

Grades: 9-12, Adults

Session Length: 45 minutes