The idea of owning a dog can be romantic for youngsters, but are they ready? A new camp — Camp Wannadog — in Fairfax Station will prepare kids between 9-15 for the realities of having a pet.
"We really want to help families be more comfortable with bringing dogs into their home. A lot of times I run into kids wanting a dog, but no one really knows where to start," said camp director Nancy Katz.
The camp will be held at the Fairfax Station Railroad Museum on July 8-12 and July 22-26, from 9 a.m. to noon each day. The cost is $250 per one-week session.
Find out what's happening in Lortonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Camp Wannadog will provide dog trainers, who will focus on teaching kids about:
- Dog training
- Safety
- Grooming
- First aid
"Kids don't know what goes into dog ownership. It's not just about walking a dog," Katz said. "Someone needs to get up every morning, regardless of the day and make sure the dog gets fed, goes outside and gets regular exercise."
Find out what's happening in Lortonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Katz, who has been a school counselor and teacher for more than 20 years, is also the founder of The Shiloh Project, which teaches kids and teens how to socialize rescue dogs.
Katz has had up to 10 rescue dogs living in her home at one time. "It's more than about what they look like or their size. It's about how their personality fits in with your lifestyle," she said.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
