The West Kootenay Community Animal Centre is hosting its first school holiday workshop this fall. Oct. 19 is a Pro-D holiday, the perfect chance for animal-loving students to spend a day learning at the new SPCA facility.
Kids will discover how they can be champions for animals, says Stephenie Campbell, the region’s new humane educator.
“We want to help them see things from the animals’ point of view and to really empower kids to make a difference,” says Campbell. “This centre is also new in Castlegar, so the workshop will give students a chance to explore what the BC SPCA does in their community, learn about animals through games and activities, and also have the chance to spend some time with adoptable animals.”
The workshop begins at 9:30 a.m and runs until 3:30, with pickup by 4 p.m. The cost for the whole day is $40, or $35 for BC SPCA Kids Club members.
The BC SPCA has recently expanded its humane education program into the West Kootenay with a beautiful new space at the Castlegar location and expanded outreach into schools and communities, with animal-themed presentations to help build empathy skills in classrooms throughout Castlegar, Trail, Slocan Valley, and Nelson. Presentations are also available to community groups.
Teaching kids about animals helps to develop kindness, respect and compassion, plus animal-themed lesson plans are tailored to help meet provincial curriculum outcomes. Programs include topics like Bite Free, Kindness Counts and You Can Make a Difference, all developed by experts to teach about social justice, animal welfare, dog safety and pet care, as well as bullying and anti-violence themes.
For information about the upcoming Pro-D workshop and to register, visit spca.bc.ca/workshops. Space is limited.
For more information: Stephenie Campbell, BC SPCA Regional Humane Educator, West Kootenay, 250-509-0382 or scampbell@spca.bc.ca.