Some days at Camp Joy are loud, full of laughter, movement, and kids discovering just how brave they can be. And some days are quieter. The day the vet came out to our Nature Center was one of those quiet days.
There was no rush. No emergency. Just a shared understanding that caring well means checking in, even when everything seems fine. Especially then.
When the team from Lebanon Small Animal Clinic arrived, it felt like an extension of the way we already try to show up here, with intention, patience, and respect for every life in our care. Our animals were gently examined, their spaces thoughtfully observed, and the routines our staff follows each day were affirmed.
Our Outdoor Educators put a lot of heart into how we care for the animals who live at Camp Joy. They’re not just part of the scenery. They’re teachers. They’re companions. They’re often the first place a child learns what it means to slow down and be gentle with something outside of themselves.
As Caleb, one of our Outdoor Educators who helps lead the care of our Nature Center, shared during the visit,
“We were reassured that we provide excellent care—and we’re continuing to innovate the level of care we give our animals.”
It was reassuring to hear from a professional that the care we give, the consistency, the attention to small details, the way our team notices changes and asks questions, is making a real difference. It reminded us that leading with care isn’t flashy. It’s steady. It’s thoughtful. And it’s something you practice every day.
The visit also gave us a chance to learn. New insights were shared. Small adjustments suggested. Moments where curiosity took the lead. That kind of learning is part of the culture here too, being open, listening, and always asking how we can do better.
Cori, our Outdoor School Program Manager, reflected on how moments like this ripple outward, saying,
“We see kids come in afraid of a bunny, a turtle, a snake—and when they’re given a space that feels safe and respectful, that fear can turn into something completely different. It can change how they see animals, and sometimes how they see themselves.”
Because the Nature Center isn’t just about animals. It’s about what they teach the kids who walk through it.
Here, children learn responsibility without a lecture. Empathy without being told that’s what they’re learning. They see adults modeling care, not just for people, but for living things that depend on us. They learn that leadership can be quiet. That stewardship is an action. That care is something you choose, again and again.
We’re deeply grateful to Lebanon Small Animal Clinic for taking the time to come out to Camp Joy and for partnering with us in this work. Their visit affirmed what we strive for every day: to be a place where care leads the way.
And long after the vet packed up and the day moved on, that care stayed, with our animals, with our staff, and with the kids who continue to learn what it looks like to treat the world around them gently.
