Rescue Puppies Go Home With Lucky Campers Every Summer At This Sleepaway Camp

Going to summer camp is an amazing experience for a child. They have the opportunity to learn new skills, make new friends, and participate in long-time camp traditions. At Camp Crane Lake in West Stockbridge, Massachusetts, one of their most beloved traditions is matching their campers with the perfect rescue puppy to add to their family.

What’s more exciting than making new four-legged friends?

Summer sleepaway camp often includes participating in traditions. Looking forward to something, or knowing what to expect, is part of what makes camp so fun. And at Camp Crane Lake, they have a smile-spreading tradition of inviting four rescue puppies that are in need of new homes to come and meet all the campers. 

Camp adventures are already exciting, but hanging with some super sweet, adorable puppies takes things over the top! This year, all four puppies came from a rescue in Louisiana.

The puppies spend time with everyone, and then at the end of camp, they are adopted by camp families! The canines and campers do all kinds of super fun things together. The kids even play a part in the naming of the pups. First, the campers choose multiple possible names for each puppy.

Then, they make posters with the names written on them. After that, they allow the puppies to “choose their own names.” They place a tasty treat next to the names that they have written on the posters. And whatever name is scrawled on the poster next to the treat the puppies choose is their new name. 

How Do They Decide Which Lucky Campers Get To Adopt The Puppies?

If a camper feels a connection to a canine, they are able to add their name into a lottery to potentially be chosen. Once a camper has been chosen as the winner, the camp contacts their parents and makes sure they are interested in adopting. If their parents give approval, it’s official – that puppy has found their new forever home!

Each puppy is sent home with a collar, leash, toys, and some food to start their new life. Every year, the campers and counselors look forward to spending time communing with nature and loving up on that year’s rescue pups. This year, Onix, Honey, Zippy, and Potato all found fantastic homes!

Press play on the video below for tons of adorable puppy footage and more details on this heartwarming story.