YKC Summer Camp is offering day passes for the first time, as well as free membership for local dog-mad youngsters
Young dog lovers and their four-legged-friends are promised another unforgettable summer of family-friendly fun in Rutland, as the annual Young Kennel Club (YKC) Summer Camp returns to Rutland Showground, for a fifth consecutive year.
With a fun-filled week of activities, training and entertainment for both children and their dogs, the YKC Summer Camp will kick off on Saturday 26 July until Friday 1 August and will welcome over 80 young dog enthusiasts, alongside their canine companions.
This year, day passes will be available for members who would like to try a taster of the activities on offer - including training sessions, team games and evening entertainment – and for those youngsters local to Rutland who are interested in booking onto a taster day, there are a limited number of free YKC membership for the year available.
The Young Kennel Club has been running since 1985, with the first Summer Camp taking place in 1992, and 2021 saw the Camp take up residence at the showground for the first time. This summer, the YKC will welcome back children and teenagers between the ages of six and seventeen, offering a perfect opportunity for them to enjoy a holiday with their dogs, whilst also keeping active, joining in with social events and taking part in plenty of training activities with their four-legged friends.
The week includes the chance to brush up on skills across a range of dog-focused disciplines, including agility, ringcraft, hoopers, obedience and heelwork to music, and even qualifiers for Crufts 2026.
There will also be an educational programme that will provide information about all things canine – from dog grooming and care, to The Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Training scheme, and throughout the week there will be exciting team-based games and activities during the day, and a packed evening schedule, including games, a quiz night, a talent show and many more. YKC volunteers will be on hand as team leaders, which not only provides them with the invaluable developmental opportunity to put their leadership skills into practice, the younger members also benefit from being mentored by older members, who have been involved with the YKC for many years.
YKC members must have a parent or guardian on-site at all times, but all the family are welcome to enjoy the fun, with onsite activities including bingo, camp cricket match and many more.
Helen Kerfoot, spokesperson for the Young Kennel Club said: “YKC Summer Camp is such a highlight of the summer and as well as seeing many of our returning members, this year we are really excited to welcome new faces who want to try out the wealth of activities we have on offer to find out if the Young Kennel Club is for them.
“Camp really promotes the ethos of the Young Kennel Club, by providing young dog lovers with the knowledge and awareness of what it means to be a responsible dog owner, while still being filled with fun and games, and the chance to make unforgettable memories with new and old friends.”
Joining YKC Camp for the week starts from £295 – with a reduced rate available for siblings joining – while the day passes cost £85 per day. Free membership for the year is available for local residents – with postcodes LE, PE, NG, LN, NN and DE – and parents should email
The YKCfor their free membership code to be used in conjunction with booking a day space.
Parents of young dog lovers who may be interested in becoming a member of the Young Kennel Club should visit our website for more information.