NOTE: I was privileged to participate in this event last year. Ferrets from the West Michigan Ferret Connection travelled to Westland as goodwill ambassadors ans were well-received. These Summer Camps are wonderful because you're introducing ferrets to kids who are animal lovers to begin with. I used information from Angela Espinet's website: <http://www.craftycreatures.com/forferretsonly/ferret_school/ferret_school.html> specifically All About Ferrets and the History of Ferrets. (I cannot thank Angela enough for allowing me to use her material) I added pictures from Ferret Art History. The kids ate it up. (Now there's an idea ..... I could bake ferret cookies!!!!!! Better yet, I need to find someone who likes to bake ferret cookies!!!) Kim and her assistants used this information to ask them questions during their road trip to Michigan State University later in the week and she was amazed how much they had retained. Of course, the highlight is when they get to handle the ferrets. This year I am doing 7 weeks, going in on Thursdays. Please read the Press Release below. Dee Gage owner/operator, West Michigan Ferret Connection co-founder, acting president, Midwest Ferret Fellowship member, State of Michigan Dept. of Ag Companion Animal Advisory Committee ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* MHS offers Summer Tails day camps It's back by popular demand. The Michigan Humane Society's Summer Tails Day Camp is returning for a second season with seven one-week sessions at its three animal care centers. Summer Tails Day Camp is a week-long camp offering hands-on, interactive animal learning experience for children ages 7-13. The camps will meet 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and offered the weeks of June 25, July 16 and July 23 at the Berman adoption center in Westland, the weeks of July 30 and Aug. 6 at the Detroit adoption center and the weeks of Aug., 20 and 27 at the Rochester Hills adoption center. Summer Tails Day Camp is age-appropriate, with program materials suited to learning styles and maturity level. The program is open to "Junior Paw Pals," (children ages 7-8), "Paw Pals," (ages 9-11) and "Senior Paw Pals," (ages 12-13). "Summer Tails offers kids with a love for animals the opportunity to experience animal welfare first-hand," says Kimberly Korona, community humane initiatives coordinator at the Michigan Humane Society. "Kids are immersed in a week-long session of fun and educational activates teaching humane values toward animals and people." To provide the optimal learning experience for each "Paw Pal," MHS has collaborated with other animal welfare organizations to expand and enhance knowledge of animal issues, humane training techniques and veterinary medicine. Children will learn about ferrets from members of the Midwest Fellowship, and may even get a visit with one of the stars of the Animal Planet series, "ANIMAL COPS: DETROIT." And, of course, everyone will spend plenty of quality time with the animals at MHS. "Respect and compassion for animals is a critical component of any well rounded educational program," added Korona. "Summer Tails makes learning a fun and interactive experience." A scholarship program is available to ensure Summer Tails Day Camp is available for all children interested in attending. Registration and scholarship forms are available at all three MHS locations --7401 Chrysler Dr. in Detroit; 3600 W. Auburn Road in Rochester Hills and 900 N. Newburgh in Westland. For more information about Summer Tails Day Camp, visit the MHS Web site at www.michiganhumane.org, or contact Kimberly Korona at (248) 799-7400, Ext. 127 or by e-mail at [log in to unmask] The Michigan Humane Society is a private, nonprofit organization which cares for more than 100,000 animals each year at its three metro Detroit adoption and veterinary centers. Established in 1877, MHS is one of the oldest and largest animal welfare organizations in the country. For more information, call MHS at (866) MHUMANE. [Posted in FML 5565]