The Most Fun Activity Class at Camp: Puppies!

We’re BAAAAACK! The next class of puppies will be at Silverado AND Towers! Yes, that’s right! We will have an activity class with puppies at both elementary camps this year! It’s an awesome opportunity for campers to learn the importance and responsibility it takes to care for a dog. This class also equips campers with the skills and techniques to train a dog! And through all of it, campers have some plain ol’ fun with the puppies.

At the end of the summer, there will be a silent auction for the puppies in hopes of placing each dog with a loving Pine Cove family. The money raised in this auction will go directly to our scholarship fund so we can have even MORE campers experience Pine Cove next summer! The auction is now closed.

Have questions? Check out some FAQs below!

How old will the puppies be?
By the end of week 10, all puppies will be around 16-20 weeks old.

What kind of puppies are they and how many will there be?
There will be 4 Goldendoodles at both Towers and Silverado! All puppies have AKC registration.

How and where did you get these puppies?
Our Goldendoodles come from Lonestar Doodles.

Do puppies get vaccinated?
Puppies have a few rounds of shots that they must have for their safety and the safety of the people around them. They receive all required vaccinations prior to summer. 

What happens if a puppy bites my camper?
The medical team will be notified and the camper will be taken care of immediately. Depending on the severity and aggression of the puppy, steps will be taken to ensure campers are not harmed again. 

What if my camper has a dog allergy?
Much like our horse program, we pay attention to the needs of each camper and will find alternatives for them to continue having serious fun while at camp! 

Where do the puppies go at the end of the summer?
We will host a silent auction and find each puppy a loving family. All proceeds will go to our scholarship program.

What can you tell me about the parents?
Our Golden Doodle’s dad is Moyen Poodle and the mom is English Creme Golden Retriever. Both have been OFA tested.

Can we adopt a puppy at the end of our week of camp?
We cannot allow the puppies to leave camp prior to the end of Week 10, but you can write down the puppy’s name so that at the time of the silent auction, you’ll have the information ready when the puppy is called.

What will the activity class look like?
During activity classes (each class is an hour) the puppies will be playing with our campers! This class will be facilitated by four summer staffers and overseen by our Extreme Activities Coordinator as well as our full-time team. Along with playing, our staff will teach campers important skills and techniques on how to care for a dog.

Who is in charge of the puppies and how will they be cared for over the summer?
At Silverado, we have Jeff “Eggy” Shellum who is an Animal Science, Pre-Vet major at Texas A&M University. Throughout his education, he has taken classes such as Animal Well-Being and Animal Nutrition. He has also participated in an internship with veterinarians and veterinary technicians. He is eager to jump into the position of Puppy Wrangler and can’t wait to meet all six puppies! He is diligent, fun, and responsible. He will take amazing care of our puppies this summer!

At Towers, we have Samantha “Puppy Patrol” Farrell, who is currently a student at Texas Tech University where she is studying pre-veterinary companion animal science with plans to attend veterinary school after she graduates. She is eager to teach campers the pure joy of the Lord through the puppies this summer! 

Is it an activity, or are they just roaming around camp?
Just like our campers have awesome cabins to hang out in, our puppies do too! During activity classes, we have a “puppy palace” that has AC, a doggie door, and a fenced area where the campers can come pet and play with the puppies. If puppies are outside of their designated area, they are on a leash.