Youth Programs
The AWLA believes it is important to instill a knowledge about and a compassion for animals from the earliest ages. With our community and in-shelter humane education programs, we offer a variety of opportunities to engage with — and often learn from — Alexandria’s youngest animal-lovers. Read more about our Humane Education programs for students aged 18 and younger below.
To learn more about all our latest programs, continue to check this page or email youthprograms@alexandriaanimals.org. You can also sign up below to be added to our contact list.
At the AWLA
Birthday Parties
A celebration with animals is a unique party experience that also supports pets in our community. We’ve found that a party at the AWLA is most enjoyable for children aged 6 and older, who have a greater understanding of animal welfare and the goals of the shelter. Click here to learn more.
Book Buddies
Students in grades 3 through 12 are invited to participate in 30- minute Book Buddy reading sessions with adoptable cats and small animals on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. A parent or guardian is required to accompany their child to a reading session, and children are able to choose a book from AWLA’s selection of stories or bring one of their own. Happy reading! Click here to learn more.
Junior Volunteers
Our Junior Volunteer program offers 14- and 17-year-olds the chance to learn more about animal care, sheltering, training and more. Participants start with an 8-session training course to learn more about animal safety, body language, handling and other AWLA operations, and upon completion, are able to volunteer at the AWLA in a variety of roles. Click here to learn more.
Pawsitive Action Club
Join our Pawsitive Action Club, a group for students currently enrolled in Middle School, with the goal of helping students to become familiar with the shelter and instilling animal compassion and advocacy in their everyday lives. PAC takes place in the fall and spring semesters, and PAC members are also eligible to apply to be summer camp counselors! Click here to learn more.
School Programs
If your class is interested in learning more from our Humane Education experts, contact us to schedule a virtual visit to talk with your students. *Please note that at this time, we are only able to visit schools in the Alexandria School District.
Scout Programs
Now offered virtually, our Scout Program is 1 hour long and intended for scouts ages 6 and up. These Pet Badge programs are for groups of eight to 15 scouts, including siblings; groups of 16 scouts or more should split up and schedule for two separate sessions, as we cannot accommodate larger groups in our facility. There is a $10 fee for each badge-seeking scout to cover the cost of supplies and the badge/certificate. Click here to learn more.
Shelter Tours
The AWLA welcomes small groups interested in taking a shelter tour and learning more about animal care and animal welfare issues. Shelter tours include an overview of the shelter and the companion animals in our care as well as a tour of all adoption areas. Most tours include a visit with one or more shelter Animal Ambassadors and a discussion of how to help our furred, finned and feathered residents. Click here to learn more.
Summer Camp
The AWLA’s popular in-shelter summer camp is for students aged 6 through 13. Every week, we offer a new age-specific experience, giving attendees the opportunity to learn about animal welfare and care in their community. The camp includes lessons on cats, dogs and small animals, as well as the operation of the Vola Lawson Animal Shelter, veterinary care, dog training and more! Click here to learn more.
At-Home Activities
At-Home Volunteering
There are a number of volunteer projects that can be completed at home. View the full list HERE. Projects can be placed in the donation bin in front of our shelter any day 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please notify our front desk staff if you are dropping off hotdogs. Drawn or written projects along with any forms to earn volunteer hours can be sent to youth@alexandriaanimals.org. Click here to learn more.
Paw Pals
Become a Paw Pal to animals in need! So many of our youth volunteers already host fundraising drives and collections of toys and food for Alexandria’s Animals, that we now have a toolkit to help them help even more animals with their work. Click here to learn more.
For more information on our Youth Programs or to schedule an event, please call us at 703.746.4774 or email us. If you’d like to receive emails about our latest youth volunteering opportunities, click below to sign up for notifications.