Even when the temperature is below zero, employees and volunteers at Humane Indiana Wildlife do not get a snow day like many others in Valparaiso.

On Monday, seven children arrived at a winter animal fun day camp. Kids had to pre-register for the event and came with a sack lunch. Activities included an art project as well as time with the animals.

Campers were given a tour of the facility and introduced to some of the wildlife. A few animals, like a snowy owl named Alfred, can remain outside during subzero temperatures. “He’s very heavy because he is full of feathers to stay warm,” said Courtney Rearick, full-time educator for Humane Indiana Wildlife.

Alfred was joined outside by his friends Loki, a silver fox; Bandi, a red fox; and Phoenix, a red-tailed hawk.

As the campers entered the wildlife center, Rearick reminded them not to put their fingers inside cages and not to open any cages. “If you see a towel over a cage, do not look behind it because you could scare the animal, and the towel might be there because the animal is sick and needs to rest,” said Rearick.

Some of the indoor animals included a kestrel, pigeon, squirrel, opossum, falcon, turkey vulture and box turtles. Currently, there are 48 animals in care and 31 ambassadors.

“We call our permanent residents our ambassadors, because if they were released back into the wild, they would not have a good chance of survival,” said Jessica Daker, animal care manager for Humane Indiana.

Daker has worked at Humane Indiana since 2018 and has a degree in ecology.

“Being able to release an animal back out into the wild is a very satisfying feeling,” said Daker, who said she loves her job and recognizes the importance of the youth programs.

“It is important to teach kids to interact with nature and have the next generation grow up appreciating it and wanting to make a difference,” said Daker.

“Education about wildlife is important so people are aware of the species found around them,” said Rearick. “I love camps because we get to do crafts and art while enjoying nature and wildlife.”

Animals of all sorts were the biggest hit for the kids.

“I love squirrels because they are kind of like me. I never want to stop moving,” said Piper Michna, one of the kids participating in the program.

In 2015, Humane Indiana acquired the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Valparaiso from Judith Cieslak and Jean Prebis, two women passionate about saving wildlife and bringing education to the masses. The buildings are located at 570 North 450 East in Valparaiso. Humane Indiana also has a shelter, adoption center, and clinic in Munster.

Humane Indiana Wildlife offers school and group programs including field trips to Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center, and monthly camps for children of all ages, including teens and home-schoolers.

There will be a wildlife resident home tour on Saturday, Jan. 27, with preregistration required.

For more information on programs or how to volunteer, visit humaneindiana.org.

Deena Lawley-Dixon is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.