As the summer takes off, children from the surrounding area and as far away as Texas will be coming with their favorite dogs to the kids' and dogs' camp at Shadow Hill farm in Jackson Springs the week of June 26-30.

Owner Jane Hammett is a professional dog trainer and breeder of top ranked Shetland Sheep dogs. She grew up in a kennel atmosphere, going to dog shows and working the summers in other kennels around the country. She will be hosting the kids and their dogs with doggie-related activities.

The week-long camp offers agility classes, obedience classes, grooming clinics, puppy raising, dog bathing, and Frisbee fun, camping, and hiking. The camp also offers Junior Handling skills for the show rings and proper presentation of a dog for the show ring as seen on Animal Planet's televised dog shows. The campers will be expected to pitch in with day-to-day chores of running a kennel -- cleaning, training, and grooming show dogs.

There are a few openings in the day camping program and two spots are left for the week-long overnight program. Interested parents can call Hammett for more information at (910) 974-3647 or e-mail: shelties@hughes.net.

The day program will start at 9 a.m. and end at 5 p.m.

"Kids are expected to bring a good sense of humor, good work ethics, good manners, helping hands, and most important, a friendly smile."

Dogs must be current on shots and rabies and free of fleas and worms. Dogs must be friendly to strangers.

"If you don't have a dog or your pet is too old, Shadow Hill has trained dogs for your kids to borrow for the day," says Hammett. "The past years have been super fun and full of 'hands- on' experience for the kids and dogs. We look forward to another great camp."