Camping with your Dog

“Hello Madduh, Hello Faddu,

Here I am at Camp Granada,

Camp is very entertaining

And they say we’ll have some fun it stops raining.”

Alan Sherman

Summer camp used to be swimming, organized sports and sleeping in cabins and Lodges. Summer camp is still those activities, but now you can do them with your dog. You and your dog can get away together and spend time in the great outdoors.

There are a variety of dog camps available to you and your pet. Some camps are vacation activities for you while your dog is boarded in a kennel. Other camps offer lodging opportunities where your dog stays with you, and both of you participate in structured activities. The camps also vary in activities available to you and your dog from a simple hike to classes and lectures. Length of the camps also varies, from day camps to week long stays.

One of the best well-known dog camps that involves a bit of travel from the Midwest is Camp Gone to the Dogs. Camp Gone to the Dogs offers a summer session in Marlboro, Vermont, and two fall sessions in Stowe, Vermont. The summer session is located on the 250-acre campus of Marlboro College, with an on-site pond for swimming. Your dog sleeps with you in a dorm facility, a cabin, Marlboro North, a former inn or several dog friendly motels in the area.

This camp offers a variety of activities including Herding, Breed Handling, Teaching Obedience Classes Positively, Tellington Touch, Loose Leash Walking, Retrieve for all Reasons, Reading a Dog’s Body Language, Flyball, Freestyle Dancing with Dogs, Doggie Square Dancing and activities involving competition obedience. The camp offers 40-50 activities a day. www.campgonetothedogs.com notes “You can do it all or just sit around, kiss your dog and eat bonbons.” A dog camp closer to home is Camp Dogwood is located in Ingleside, 48 miles northwest of Chicago. The camp is situated on over 180 acres situated on Wooster Lake and offers spring, fall and winter UN-Camp 2013 sessions. Your dog sleeps with you at the lodging facilities for Camp Dogwood, which include rustic cabins, seasonal lodges, tent camping and nearby dog friendly hotels.

Camp Dogwood offers a variety of activities for you and your dog. You can plan your day by participating in the structured activities offered by the camp. Or relax by taking advantage of the beach, trails and open fields. Camp Dogwood activities include agility, rally obedience, tracking, Frisbee, herding, water sports and games, and behavior and training. Activities for fun and relaxation include canine actor’s studio, dog treat making, canoeing, nature hikes, dog fur spinning and sewing for your dog. Presentation and Demonstrations include traditional and Holistic health/nutrition, Cooking for you and your dog, Flower Essence Therapy, Acupuncture & Chiropractic Care for Dogs, Red Cross Certification Canine CPR & First Aid and Dog Massage. www.campdogwood.com notes “A true camp-like setting was the only choice for Dogwood. We found and created a place to relax and enjoy … a place ‘Where your Dog can be a Dog.”

These are just two of the camps available for you and your dog. Others are located all over the country. The Buddy Foundation does not endorse either of the above mentioned camps, but presents the information for informational purposes and for dreaming. Spending a week with your dog, doing dog centered activities. May your dreams come true.

Adoptables:

Ÿ Whiskers, a male, Norwich Terrier is about 2 years old, and weights 34 pounds. He was brought to Buddy because the last shelter he was at was going to put him down. One of Buddy’s volunteers heard about him and saved his life. At first, Whiskers was a little scared, but is now getting used to life at Buddy. Sometimes he can get a little snippy when he’s nervous, so he shouldn’t go to a home with children. Whiskers gets scared when people try and take him for a walk; he shakes the entire time he’s outside. With some work he could really be a great dog. Once he knows and trusts you, he’ll climb on your lap and cuddle until he falls asleep. Give him at chance at a forever home.

Ÿ Fritz, a 4-year old, male Schnauzer, weights about 19 pounds. He has diabetes and is in foster care, so please call ahead to make arrangement to meet him.

Ÿ Contact The Buddy Foundation at (847) 290-5806; visit us at 65 W. Seegers Road, Arlington Heights, or online at thebuddyfoundation.com.