Parents of preschoolers to eighth-grade students can now register their children for Rescue Ranch’s 2017 Critter Camps, daily spring and one-week summer camp sessions offering hands-on educational experiences with animal interactions.

New to the 2017 Summer Critter Camp schedule are two sessions designed for children with special needs. This camp is geared for children entering first through sixth grades with disabilities including but not limited to; autism, cerebral palsy and Down syndrome.

Critter Camps take place at Rescue Ranch, a nonprofit animal welfare organization located in Statesville, North Carolina, that uses educational programs to promote respect for animals and responsible pet ownership, as well as agricultural, environmental and wildlife conservation.

Each week’s activities include interactions with many of Rescue Ranch’s animal ambassadors including Otis, an affectionate Holstein steer; a herd of miniature horses; Velvet, a Solomon Island Eclectus Parrot; and Tiny, a 31-year-old Sulcata Tortoise, among others.

“We’re excited to kick off another great year of Critter Camp programing,” said Krissie Newman, co-founder and president of the nonprofit organization. “For the first time, we’re pleased to offer two sessions specifically designed for children with special needs. Our goal is to create fun and exciting programs for all children to enjoy, while providing campers with skills and information to promote compassion for animals and the environment in their communities.”

The 2017 Critter Camp schedule is as follows:

For kindergarten through fifth-grade students, the spring break session is available from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• Critter Camp Staycation – Campers will meet and interact with different animals each day by assisting with their daily care and more. Other activities include playing games, completing crafts and taking part in science experiments. The cost is $40 per day or $140 per child, per four days, April 18-21.

For campers with special needs, entering first through sixth grade, there are two sessions available from 9 a.m. to noon or 1 – 4 p.m.

• Be A Hero for Animals – The smaller group setting will offer a one-to-three teacher-student ratio in addition to a buddy system, to provide a more supervised and successful camp experience. Each day will include hands on time with the Rescue Ranch animal ambassadors, crafts, and time on an on-site, fully accessible playground. The cost is $100 per child, per week, July 17-21.

For preschoolers, ages four through five, there are two sessions available from 9 a.m. to noon.

• Be A Hero for Animals – Session will focus on taking care of the Rescue Ranch animal ambassadors and how they can be each animal’s superhero through crafts, games and animal interactions. The cost is $90 per child, per week and the dates include June 12-16 and June 19-23.

• Seussical Animals – These weeks’ campers will dive into the magical world of Dr. Seuss with games, activities, and crafts while learning about and meeting the animals that call Rescue Ranch home. The cost is $90 per child, per week and the dates include July 31- August 4 and August 7-11.

For children entering kindergarten through fifth-grade, there are two themed sessions available from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• Be A Hero for Animals – Session will focus on taking care of the Rescue Ranch animal ambassadors and how they can be each animal’s superhero through crafts, games, animal interactions and completing a service project for shelter animals. The cost is $180 per child, per week and the dates include June 12-16, June 19-23 and June 26-30.

• Amazing Animal Superpowers – Campers will learn about animal’s special abilities by playing games that use their senses, in addition to assisting with the daily care of the Rescue Ranch animal ambassadors. The cost is $180 per child, per week and the dates include July 31-August 4, August 7-11 and August 14-18.

For students entering sixth through eighth grade, there are two themed sessions available from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• Be A Hero for Animals – Session will focus on taking care of the Rescue Ranch animal ambassadors and how they can be each animal’s superhero through crafts, games, animal interactions and completing a service project for shelter animals. The cost is $180 per child, per week, July 10-14.

• Future Veterinarian – Campers will spend an interactive week of learning about x-rays, surgery, sutures, dental health and more. Campers will have a lab coat and a stethoscope to use throughout the week. The cost is $200 per child, per week, July 24-28.

A $15 discount applies for any Summer Critter Camp if registered by March 1. For some sessions, extended care is available for $10 per day. Payment plan options are available by request.

Registration will remain open as long as space is available. For more information on Rescue Ranch’s Critter Camps or to register, visit http://www.rescueranch.com/camps.