Camp Dogwood

Camp Dogwood offers an overnight camp experience for adults and their dogs, with Fall Camp sessions typically running from Thursday through Sunday. A typical day includes a choice of 25-30 “dogcentric” activities, which encompass training sessions emphasizing positive reinforcement, lectures, and demonstrations focused on enriching the human-dog bond. Campers can customize their daily schedules, with options for structured activities or independent exploration of the 700-acre property, including trails, open fields, and a beachfront. Activities are categorized into Training Sessions, Lectures & Demonstrations, Sport Activities (e.g., Agility, Barn Hunt, Flyball, Herding, Lure Coursing, Nose Work, Rally, Tracking, Treiiball, Weight Pull), Presentations & Activities (e.g., Ask the Vet, Building Confidence in Your Shy Dog, Canine Good Citizen Prep/Test, Canine Rescue Breathing & CPR, Coaching A Reactive Dog to Success, Essential Oils, Grooming Secrets, My Polite Pup, Shaping Complex Behaviors, Treatmaking for Dogs, Trick Training), and Arts & Crafts (Pet Projects like Bucket/Planter Decoration, Create A Luminary, Dog Silhouettes, No-Sew Fleece Crate Mat, Paw Painting, Plaster Paw Print Castings).

Pricing Summary

Rates are listed per human camper, with most options including up to two dogs. Fees cover selected lodging, all meals and snacks (dogs bring their own food), and all standard programming. Pricing varies based on lodging type (single, double, or group occupancy in lodges or cabins, or on-site tent/RV camping) and whether off-site lodging is chosen (program and meals only). An “Extended Stay” upgrade is available for $200 per person to arrive one day early, and an “Extra Dog” fee of $100 per dog applies for more than two dogs per human.

Policies

Registration for camp sessions requires either full payment or a $200 deposit to reserve a space. Deposit monies are non-refundable, and camp fees are non-refundable and non-transferable within 60 days prior to each session. Trip insurance is strongly recommended. Human participants must be at least 18 years old, and puppies must be at least 3 months old. A maximum of two dogs per person is allowed, with an additional fee for more. Dogs must be reasonably well-socialized, potty-trained, and non-aggressive towards people. Proof of vaccinations and a negative fecal sample are required prior to or upon arrival. Dogs in heat are not permitted, and if a dog comes into heat at camp, the owner will be asked to leave immediately without refund. Dogs needing more space are identified by a special orange bandanna. Dogs must be leashed during classes, sessions, and all-camp activities, but off-leash play is permitted in large empty fields, the beach, trails, and other less populated areas. Dogs are never allowed in the dining hall. When left unattended in rooms or cabins, dogs must be kept in a crate or small pen to prevent damage. Aggressive behavior that negatively impacts the experience of other campers or dogs may result in expulsion without notice or refund.

Camp Dogwood, founded in 2001 by long-time friends Dave Eisendrath and Alysa Slay, offers an overnight camp experience for adults and their dogs. Their motto is, “Where you and your dog stay & play.” The camp provides a unique dog-friendly travel experience across 700 acres, focusing on opportunities for play, training, fun, and building lasting friendships and memories.

The camp’s mission is centered on “The Dog,” “The Bond,” and “The Community.” They provide educational programs covering canine health, behavior, and emotions, with a strong emphasis on positive reinforcement training methods. Activities are designed to enhance the relationship between humans and their dogs, balancing skill development with relaxation and recreation.

Camp Dogwood also actively promotes the positive role of dogs in society by supporting programs that improve canine welfare within communities. This includes fundraising initiatives such as the Good Bones program, The Dogwood Yard Sale, and the Scrub-‘Em-Yourself-Dog-Wash.

Accomplishments

Camp Dogwood was founded in 2001. It has been featured in the Chicago Tribune and was recognized by Animal Planet as “the Planet’s Best Dog Destination.” The Camp Director and Founder, Alysa Slay, holds a Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology and has over 20 years of experience working in and consulting to summer camps for children.

How to Get Started!

To get started, prospective campers can register online for Spring and Fall camp sessions. Registration is accepted with either full payment or a $200 deposit to reserve a space.