(Updated 19/7/01)

KCJO Camp - not just walking the dog!

SEVENTY EIGHT children from the Kennel Club Junior Organisation will be attending this year’s National Annual Dog Camp at Lackham College, near Chippenham, Wiltshire, from the 1st August to 7th August 2001.

All the children will be put through their paces on a week long training holiday to brush up on their canine skills whilst having a thoroughly enjoyable time. Agility, obedience, show handling, flyball, grooming and training, are just some of the activities that these youngsters will be learning, helping them to become the potential handlers of the future!

KCJO Chairman, Mr Eric Smethurst, explained, “Children are the future and it is therefore very important that from a young age they learn as much as possible about the many aspects of responsible dog ownership. This will enable them to live up to their responsibilities and to pass their knowledge on to others, thus creating an ever widening body of responsible dog owners. The summer camp is one of a number of opportunities for KCJO members to get together with like minded youngsters and provides a chance to learn as well as being great fun for both dogs and people.”

The KCJO was founded in 1985 and now has a membership of over 1500. It encourages young people from the ages of 8 to 18 to take an interest in the care and training of dogs and to enjoy all activities connected with dogs. It is split into eight regions around the country with a regional organiser looking after each region. Wherever the area there are always activities and social gatherings in which children can get involved.

The KCJO National Annual Dog Camp is part of The Kennel Club’s ongoing education and training programme which includes the Good Citizen Dog Scheme, the largest dog training programme in the UK. This scheme encourages responsible dog ownership and a better knowledge of our canine chums.