Camp Dogwood

Imagine yourself walking down a gravel road, in the background you hear the sound of hand-made wind chimes decorated with the names of dogs that have passed away, to your right you see a large green field with a group of puppies and their owners walking in a line following their leader, that Pied Piper happens to have been named the Best Dog Trainer in Chicago, according to Chicago Magazine. Coming down the road towards you is a big wet Golden Retriever who has just experienced the joy of swimming for the first time. WELCOME TO CAMP DOGWOOD, a unique overnight camp experience offered three times a year (winter, spring, and fall) for adults and their dogs. Camp Dogwood is unique in that people do not just drop off their dog and leave it up to staff to board, train, or groom the dog. At Camp Dogwood, we encourage the human/animal bond and see it grow before our eyes. Camp Dogwood offers participants a range of activities, including but not limited to: dog agility, Frisbee®, tracking, lure coursing, pet projects (a.k.a. arts & crafts), hiking, boating, pet and human massage, dog treat making, pet photography, swimming, dock diving, flyball, campfires, obedience training, fundraising activities for designated animal related charities, and workshops on a range of dog related topics such as nutrition, fitness, specific health issues, and animal rescue. Camp Dogwood has two, 4-day 3 night sessions (spring/fall) and one, 3-day 2 night session (winter) per year. Thus, camp is only in session 10 days per year. Camp Dogwood has been featured in: Animal Planet’s Best Dog Friendly Destinations, The Travel Channel’s Petcations, WGN-TV News, WGN Radio, Fox News, The Today Show, Steve Dales Pet World (syndicated radio), Bark Magazine, Chicago Magazine, Modern Dog, Dog Fancy, The Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, Daily Herald, and New York Times. Back in 2001, when we told family and friends we were starting an overnight camp for adults and their dogs, people scratched their heads, and told us we were crazy. Now, in our 12th season, surrounded each year by hundreds of humans and their four-legged companions we feel a little less crazy.