Beyond the Classroom: Young Animal Lovers Discover What Being a Vet Involves
From surgical skills to wildlife encounters, Future Vet Kids Camp gives young animal lovers a real-world taste of veterinary life this summer.
- Apply for a PetSure Scholarship by 30 November 2026
- Christmas gift vouchers available
What can a blood test tell us about a sick animal? How do vets stitch a wound? And what does it take to care for different species?
For curious young animal lovers, Future Vet Kids Camp offers a chance to explore these questions first-hand through practical activities, encounters with animals, and conversations with the veterinary professionals who care for them.
Returning to Waverley College in Sydney on 4–8 January and 11–15 January 2027, the five-day school holiday programme welcomes children aged 9 to 17—whether they dream of becoming a veterinarian or simply want to learn how to better care for animals.
A Virtual Online Camp will run alongside the Sydney programme from 4–17 January 2027, allowing children across Australia and overseas to join the classroom live, ask questions, and participate in real time.
The Sydney camp is already drawing strong interest from well beyond NSW, with registrations received from children in South Australia, Queensland, and Victoria, as well as international campers from South Korea, Fiji, and the United Kingdom.
Real-World Vet Experience Led by Bondi Vet Stars
Designed by twin veterinarians Drs Audrey and Alison Shen from the Bondi Vet TV show, Future Vet Kids Camp brings authentic veterinary medicine into the classroom. This January’s Sydney camp will be led by Dr Audrey alongside experienced instructors and guest presenters.
Having also expanded the camp to Singapore earlier this year, the sisters remain deeply passionate about inspiring the next generation of animal advocates.
Dr Audrey Shen explains that hands-on experiences give children the opportunity to build a meaningful understanding of animals alongside life skills that reach far beyond camp.
“As vets and mums, Alison and I love seeing children’s curiosity grow when they have a chance to get involved,” says Dr Audrey.
“Working through a veterinary case, for example, encourages them to look for clues, ask questions and discuss what might be happening to an animal. We want them to understand what they’re doing and why. Trying something unfamiliar and working together also gives them a chance to learn that they don’t have to know the answer straight away.”
“Whether or not they become vets, we want them to leave with greater confidence to explore their interests and a deeper understanding of how to care for animals.”
Learning Through Hands-On Experience
Camp activities are tailored across three dedicated age groups: Wombats, Kookaburras, and Junior Vets. Practical workshops give campers the chance to learn veterinary techniques using specially designed models, covering essential skills such as pet CPR, simulated blood draws, and suturing.
Older campers in the Junior Vet stream take their learning further through in-house surgical workshops led directly by Dr Audrey, practising techniques on realistic training models—including simulated desexing procedures. They will also work through clinical veterinary cases, discovering how practitioners use patient histories, blood tests, X-rays, and ultrasound scans to diagnose health issues.
Each group also heads out into the field:
- Wombats: Visiting Calmsley Hill City Farm and Sydney Zoo.
- Kookaburras: Visiting MediPaws—a specialist and 24-hour emergency veterinary hospital in Leichhardt (a brand-new addition to the camp programme)—to learn about emergency care and animal rehabilitation.
- Junior Vets: Travelling to the Hills Wildlife Sanctuary to explore Australian wildlife conservation, alongside a dedicated surgery observation day at Hills Animal Hospital.
Beyond clinical practice, the curriculum introduces children to a broad spectrum of animal-related careers while exploring animal health, behaviour, rescue, and native habitat conservation.
“Whether or not the kids end up following the path to a career in veterinary medicine, just being around different animals and making like-minded new friends has such a positive impact on them,” adds Dr Audrey.
Six PetSure Scholarships Available
PetSure, one of Australia’s leading pet insurers, is continuing its longstanding support by funding six scholarships for young animal lovers: three places for the Sydney face-to-face camp and three places for the Virtual Online Vet Camp. Applications close on 30 November 2026.
PetSure Chief Executive Officer Alexandra Thomas said:
“We’re thrilled to be back for a twelfth year with Future Vet Kids Camp. Each summer this programme helps young people with a love of animals have a taste of veterinary life, and we’re proud to help six more kids, in Sydney and online, be part of it.
“Supporting the veterinary profession and the next generation coming into it matters to us, and programmes like this play a part in that. Australia’s next great vet or vet nurse could be in this group. Whether these campers go on to a career in animal care or simply grow up as caring, confident pet guardians, we can’t wait to see where their passion takes them.”
Gift Vouchers and Enrolments
Families unable to attend in person can register for the Virtual Online Vet Camp from anywhere across the country.
For parents and grandparents searching for an unforgettable Christmas gift for a dog- or animal-loving child, the camp offers an inspiring experience packed with learning, skill-building, and new friendships. Gift vouchers are available.
Bookings are now open—visit www.futurevetkidscamp.com to secure a place or apply for a scholarship.
January 2027 Registrations OPEN NOW!
Face-to-Face Camp Dates: Jan 4 – 8 & Jan 11 – 15, 2027
Location: Waverley College, Waverley NSW | Daily hours: 9am – 3:30pm | Cost: $750
Virtual Online Camp: Runs Jan 4 – 17, 2027 | Cost: $295
For more information and to register online, please visit www.futurevetkidscamp.com or phone 0435 267 252. View the full Program Schedule.
About Future Vet Kids Camp
Future Vet Kids Camp offers veterinary-inspired school holiday programmes where children can explore their passion for animals in a safe, supportive environment. Led by qualified veterinarians, experienced instructors, and specialised animal handlers, the programmes encourage responsible pet ownership, introduce children to veterinary medicine and related animal professions, and nurture a lifelong appreciation for animal welfare.
To discover more, visit www.futurevetkidscamp.com.
