Summer Programs at Heartland Farm Sanctuary

We have three age groups for our summer programs (5-7, 8-11 and 12-15).

Registration for camp will begin late January or early February. Subscribe to our email list or check this page for updates.

Yes, you can add your child to the waitlist for the week you were hoping for. That can be done right in Jackrabbit. After you find the week you were looking for, just click on the “Show me full classes with waitlists” option.

Absolutely! Please be sure and disclose the allergy when registering for camp. When your child’s camp week starts, please discuss a plan with the staff (epi-pen, medication, etc).

Campers should pack water bottles, a snack and lunch, layered clothing, a towel, hat, sunscreen, bug spray, and close-toed shoes.

We start our day with a community circle, which helps build our connections right from the start. The rest of our day is filled with group games, walks on our nature trail, gardening, snack and lunch, art experiences and interacting with our animal residents. We learn compassionately alongside them and do activities like cutting fruit/veggies for their meals, making treat boxes, brushing them, reading to them, drawing them, and just observing to learn all about them!

We currently have 13 different species of animal residents at Heartland. We learn alongside them throughout the day, but we do not spend the entire day with them. Throughout the week, campers will meet all of the residents! We allow the animals to choose how, when, and with whom they interact. Therefore, animal interaction isn’t guaranteed. Additionally, we are observing avian flu quarantine protocols (avian flu is a pathogen spread from people to birds but people cannot contract it). This means that campers may have limited access to interacting with our rescued birds.

While we encourage HFS program participants to enjoy plant-based foods, it is not a requirement. Our commitment to inclusion means respecting each guest’s personal needs and beliefs about food and diet.  Everyone is welcome to learn with us and participate in our programs. We are hopeful that someday soon, healthy vegan options will be easily accessible to everyone. We are happy to provide ideas for vegan meals for your kids to eat while at camp. Learn more about Heartland’s position on veganism here. 

Our plan is to have camp rain or shine. If we decide to cancel camp due to a weather-related issue (severe heat or poor air quality), there will not be a refund issued. If you decide to keep your camper home due to the weather, you will not receive a refund.

Early drop off (which you must select when registering) is from 8:30-9 am.  Camp for ages 5-7  runs from 9-11 am. Camp for ages 8-15 runs from 9 am-3:30 pm. Late pick up (which you must select when registering) is from 3:30-5 pm.

Our 5-7 year old class costs $175 per week. Camp for our 8-15 year olds costs $365 per week. There is also a $25 registration fee (one-time per family).

Absolutely! We’re a contracted provider for children receiving support through the CLTS Waiver Program of Dane County, and are working to establish contracts with neighboring counties, as well. Please use this form to register for camp instead of going directly through Jackrabbit.

If your child needs to miss camp for any reason, please let us know via email or text. There will not be refunds issued for missed days of camp.

Yes, as long as there are openings the week you would like to switch to. Email [email protected] to request the switch.

Heartland is a sanctuary and lifetime home for the animal residents in our care. The primary goal of many petting zoos is to make money. They do this by encouraging the public to interact with the animals, usually without guardrails and often without considering the animals’ desire or interest to interact with unfamiliar people.  The emphasis at a petting zoo is on the physical affection from person to animal, not necessarily the animal’s wellbeing.  This repeated physical contact can cause intense stress and discomfort for some animals.  Additionally, petting zoos typically feature young animals who may be sold when they “age out” of their infancy after one season.  At Heartland, animals receive dedicated care and a safe forever home for their entire lives.

Unlike a petting zoo, when the public visits our sanctuary, it is with the understanding and respect that they are guests visiting the home of our rescued residents. Because each resident is an individual with their own unique personality and story, some of them aren’t interested in socializing with people.  And we’re okay with that! At Heartland, boundaries are recognized and respected. 

Furthermore, our therapy programs, community events, and summer camps are focused on compassionate learning. Unlike recreational farms, our resident animals are co-participants in these programs, not props used for human amusement.

Families who cancel on or before April 1, 2024 will be refunded the cost of tuition minus a $75 administrative fee (which includes the $25 registration fee). Families who cancel after April 1, 2024 will be refunded 50% of tuition minus the $25 registration fee. For cancellations made less than two weeks before the first day of the given program, the full cost of tuition will be billed as a tax-deductible donation to Heartland Farm Sanctuary.

If an enrolled participant does not attend camp due to scheduling conflicts, health concerns, the family’s choice, or other circumstances beyond Heartland’s control, the family will NOT be refunded for the cost of the missed day(s). If any days of camp are canceled by Heartland, however, affected families will be refunded the cost (i.e. partial tuition) of those canceled days.