Description
Registration is closed.
We are preparing for camp!
K9 Nose Work Training Camp
Camp Chen-A-Wanda
Thompson, PA
September 2, 2022 – September 6, 2022
Cost:
Working Spot: Starts at $1,375.00 (early bird price: $1,325.00)
Elite Working Spot: Starts at $2,100.00 (early bird price: $2,050.00)
Auditor Spot: Starts at $845.00 (early bird price: $795.00)
Helpers: $470.00
Registration ends at 5:00pm EST on July 2, 2022 or when limit has been reached. Registration acceptance is subject to approval by the staff. A $300 deposit or full payment is required at the time of registration.
Please read all information below along with the cancellation policy carefully before registering.
Campers Arrive:
Friday, September 2, 2022 between 9:30am – 11:30am.
Camp starts after lunch with orientation and training class.
Campers Leave:
Campers leave on Tuesday morning, September 6, 2022, after breakfast.
Camp Size:
Current limit is approximately 84 – 87 working campers plus auditing campers and Logistics Team Members. Approximately 8 campers per regular working group and 5 campers per Elite Group.
Early Bird Discount:
If you register before or on 2022-06-01, you’ll get $50 OFF the Registration Price!
K9 Nose Work® is a dog training activity designed to develop a dog’s natural scenting ability by using her/his curiosity, desire to hunt, and love of toys, food and exercise. The art and practice of nose work is open to dogs of all shapes and sizes and has made basic search dog skills available to companion dogs, creating a new sport arena for dog enthusiasts. Not only has it proven to be a great activity for all types of dogs, but the NACSW founders’ techniques make this one of the most accessible activities for the widest variety of dog handlers regardless of previous training experience.
Dogs of Course, in association with the National Association of Canine Scent Work™ (NACSW), has created this three and a half day Training Camp. K9 Nose Work® Training Camp is designed to enhance the understanding of K9 Nose Work®, to develop the skills necessary to compete in the sport of K9 Nose Work® as well as other nose work venues, and to provide a model for effective instruction for current and future nose work instructors.
We are happy to have nose work enthusiasts come to camp no matter their training methodology or preferred competition venue to learn more about the K9 Nose Work® training techniques and philosophy. All we ask is that you come with an open mind and try our methods if you are bringing your nose work dog.
This all-inclusive sleepover/day camp is open to all appropriate dog and handler teams as well as auditors. We will concentrate on the elements necessary to succeed at the sport and the application of K9 Nose Work® for recreation and increasing a dog’s confidence regardless of interest in competition. The curriculum for camp will cover foundation skills, all levels of exteriors, interiors, container and vehicle searches, improving skills for dogs already working the four required elements, building independent search skills, competition preparation, strategy and rules, handler skills, leash handling techniques, understanding how to read the dogs, motivation and reinforcement, trouble shooting and a variety of other necessary skills, PLUS loads of fun and camaraderie. Your days include working dogs as well as lectures and/or demonstrations, or other activities through the day and into the night.
We work with dogs that are already on odor from novices preparing for their first Odor Recognition Test to dogs that have earned titles at all levels. All dogs will be working on Birch, Anise and Clove. Only one working dog per working participant.
We (and the Camp Instructors) want to give you the best Camp experience possible! Please know that depending on who registers groups may be constructed with dogs at more than one level. Our instructors are very skilled in working with dogs at all levels and will make sure that you and your dog receive your desired level of work during your sessions. Please know that at any time during your Camp experience, you are welcome to advocate for your needs and let your instructors know what you desire for you and your dog during the working sessions. We are here for you! This is YOUR adventure!!
Note: If you are working a dog at Camp, you will be assigned to a group based on your dog’s experience. This may mean you, as a handler, will be reviewing material that you already know. If you prefer to delve into skills above your dog’s training level, auditing will be the best option.
Campers who are working dogs will be assigned to their groups based on information attained no later than 30 days before camp. We will send you a questionnaire prior to camp so you can update us with your dog’s current information.
Campers will be learning from the founders of the sport along with accomplished Certified Nose Work Instructors (CNWI). Our camp instructing staff are competent, skilled teachers that are also actively involved in many areas of K9 Nose Work® – training, competition, judging, certifying trials, hosting trials, and instruction.
Read more about each instructor below.
Amy Herot, Co-Founder: NACSW & K9 Nose Work®
Amy is a professional K9 trainer and handler and brings over a decade of experience to her work. She has certified teams in Narcotics and Explosives and has logged over 1500 instructional hours in detection dog training. As co-founder of K9 Nose Work, and the National Association of Canine Scent Work Association, LLC® (NACSW™), she has sought to bring that experience to companion dogs and handlers through the development of K9 Nose Work® classes and sport events.
In the canine sport world Amy has trained dogs for tracking, agility, sheepherding, protection sports, and detection. She has competed nationally with her Dutch Shepherd, Maya and took 3rd place in Narcotics Detection at the Gold Coast K9 Working Dog Trials and 1st place, open division, at the Oxnard Police K9 Foundation Inaugural Trial, 2009. Her Belgian Malinois, Seven, is a nationally certified explosives detection dog and took 1st place in the Explosives Building Search at the 2009 Ventura County Sheriff’s K9 Trial and holds an APR1 IPO title.
Amy holds a Bachelor of Science from NYU and passed national certification through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT) in December 2004.). Additionally, she is a graduate of the Balu Academy for Dog Trainers and is a John Rogerson associate here in the U.S. Her professional memberships and affiliations include the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT), Southern California Dog Trainers’ Forum (SCDTF), Southern California Schutzhund Club, California Narcotics Canine Association (CNCA) and International Association of Bomb Technicians and Investigators (IABTI). Amy gives much volunteer time and expertise to the betterment of shelter dogs. Some of Amy’s other achievements have been the 2007 President’s Volunteer Service Award, spcaLA’s 2005 Outstanding H.E.A.L. (Helping Enhance Animals Lives) Volunteer and 2006 Volunteer of the Year.
Amy is one of the country’s most experienced K9 Nose Work® instructors and is a co-founder of NACSW™. In addition to teaching many of the top competitive teams, she has also reviewed hundreds of trial videos that have provided important insights into training and handling for success. Amy is owner of the Los Angeles based All Good Dogs, LLC. www.allgooddogs.biz
Jill Marie O’Brien, CPDT-KA, Co-Founder: NACSW & K9 Nose Work®
Jill Marie has been working with and training dogs since 1987. As co-founder of
the National Association of Canine Scent Work® and K9 Nose Work® Jill Marie has focused her attention on the development of the K9 Nose Work® program. Her work has taken her to almost all the States of the Union, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Japan and most recently Sweden.
In 1996 Jill Marie joined spcaLA and developed the agency’s first Animal Behavior and Training Department since its inception in 1877. During her time at spcaLA she created the HEAL program (Helping Enhance Animals’ Lives) to improve and enrich the lives of the animal clients in the shelter, developed the Standards Program for enhanced assessments, behavior modification and placement recommendations and wrote the dog training curriculum for the TLC program designed for at-risk youth. Jill Marie’s tenure working in the shelter environment has given her a unique insight into how successful dog/human relationships are developed and sustained.
Jill Marie’s years of dog training experience includes developing a behavior assessment protocol for use in the shelter environment, agility instruction and competition, tracking, Animal Assisted Therapy, Schutzhund and canine detection training along with many hours of K9 Nose Work™ development and instruction. As one of the founders of the sport of K9 Nose Work™ and the National Association of Canine Scent Work, LLC™ she is a strong believer in activities that enhance and cultivate teamwork between dog & handler.
Along with her involvement with the NACSW and K9 Nose Work, Jill Marie operates her own dog training and consulting business in the Los Angeles area. She shares her life with her son, Aedan, and husband, Jim, and three dogs, Raven, Grip and Stella.
Teah Anders, CNWI, CPDT-KA, CMMI, CAP2
Teah Anders founded Gentle Touch Pet Training in 1999 and has successfully taught thousands of people the clicker training method. In 2008, Teah published a comprehensive dog training book entitled, “Click ‘n Connect: Training Your Dog a Lifelong Journey.” In 2021, Son Care Foundation purchased Gentle Touch Pet Training and Teah has continued to instruct her favorite dog sport, K9 Nose Work.
Teah is a Certified Management Instructor (Level III) through Mental Management Systems in Texas. Since 2013, she has been traveling the U.S. sharing Mental Management concepts with clients who compete in dog sports helping them perform at an optimal level, consistently under pressure. She has taught many group seminars and smaller or personal on-line classes on the incredible concepts of Mental Management. Teah has helped many handlers across the country learn more about how to effectively handle their thoughts during competition and become even better handlers.
Teah has been a Certified Nose Work Instructor through the National Association of K9 Scent Work since 2010 and currently teaches Nose Work Classes. She is a NACSW Certifying Official (CO) and judge for trials and CO and judge for Odor Recognition Tests (ORTs). She is a frequent NACSW Trial and ORT Host and has enjoyed instructing at NACSW/Dogs of Course NW Camps in CO, GA and PA. Teah is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers and is a professional member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT). Teah has also earned a CAP2 (Competency Assessment Program – Level 2) certification through Kay Laurence’s Learning About Dogs organization in the UK. She has been a Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Evaluator through the American Kennel Club since 2004.
In her career of over 21 years at Gentle Touch Pet Training, Teah has taught Nose Work, puppy kindergarten, elementary, intermediate and advanced training classes. She developed and instructed a Feisty Fido’s class for reactive dogs. In addition, Teah helped thousands of families with private in-home training and behavioral consultations.
In her free time, Teah enjoys training her own dogs and competing in the sport of K9 Nose Work. She is currently competing in Nose Work with her dog Shamie, an English Cocker, at the Elite level. She is just starting her NW competitive journey with her youngest dog, Reacher, a Lab/Border Collie mix. In the past, Teah has competed in Musical Canine Freestyle with her Pug, Hally, who is the first Pug to earn both beginning and novice titles through the World Canine Freestyle Organization. Teah and Hally, also certified through Therapy Dog’s International, and had great fun cheering folks up in visits to elderly care facilities. She has also shown her dog Shamie in AKC Conformation earning Shamie’s breed championship title.
Teah has always believed that continuing education is a priority. She has attended seminars around the country on many topics related to dog training, dog sports and dog behavior. Several highlights include many Nose Work Seminars offered through NACSW, Mental Management System training with Lanny Bassham, the Animal Training Program at Shedd Aquarium with Ken Ramirez, Karen Pryor’s Clicker Expos, Susan Friedman’s Living and Learning with Animals Seminar, APDT Conferences, Bob Bailey’s Chicken Camp and many more. She hosted many seminars bringing world-class trainers such as Kay Laurence, Sue Sternberg, Steve and Jen White, Ken Ramirez, Patricia McConnell, Michelle Poulet, Pat Miller and Kathy Sdao to California’s Central Coast.
Teah holds a B.S. degree in business and an M.A. degree in Natural Resources Policy, Communications and Management. Although Teah originally learned clicker training in 1989, it was when she made the move to California that she had the opportunity to move from the corporate arena, where she worked with environmental issues, to help people live happier lives with their dogs. Teah lives with her husband, Chuck, and five dogs in Nipomo, CA.
Carolyn Barney, CNWI, CPDT-KA
Carolyn has been training dogs and their people professionally since 
1985. In 1991 she founded Gemini Dog Training, a full-service training and daycare facility and then DOGS! Learning Center in 2007. Over the years, Carolyn focused much of her time on behavior modification through private consulting and training classes. She has educated and coached owners of fearful, aggressive, reactive, and/or socially challenged dogs. Carolyn’s teaching background includes: group classes and workshops on clicker training skills, reactive dog management, and a variety of dog sports that included: agility, obedience, tracking, and earthdog. Carolyn attended the first CNWI training course on the east coast and is currently teaching nose work two nights a week. Her students range from those using the activity for enrichment for dogs with behavioral challenges to those that have achieved their ELTCH and are trialing in Summit.
In November 2001, Carolyn made dog training history along with 117 other dog trainers in the USA, passing the first standardized professional certification test created by what is now known as the Certification Council of Professional Dog Trainers. For the last three decades Carolyn has trained and mentored 100’s of potential dog training instructors. Many of her previous students and staff trained through her instructor programs have gone on to become Certified Pet Dog Trainers (CPDT-KA), running their own classes and businesses.
The desire for a better understanding of the canine mind and behavior has been the motivating factor in all aspects of her dog experience. Beginning with traditional training techniques, she knew there had to be a better way. Pursuing that better way has evolved into clicker training and a more thoughtful scientific and effective use of operant and classical conditioning. Carolyn believes that training and behavior modification should be safe, enjoyable, and successful for both the dog and the humans who love them. Most importantly, she maintains an open mind to new information and what every dog has to teach the human student.
Along with her training and behavior work, Carolyn wrote Clicker Basics for Dogs and Puppies. Carolyn has 2 DVD’s from the Clean Run Instructor Conference, one on Agility Foundation and one on Scaredy Dogs. Carolyn has co-taught canine cognition/behavior courses at Harvard University Extension School with Bruce Blumberg PhD, lectures to dog trainers occasionally and worked for many years as a behavior consultant for the MSPCA, providing reactive dog training classes and behavior therapy for shelter dogs and their families. Carolyn’s full-time job is Training Director of Operation Delta Dog, a not for profit that trains shelter dogs for veterans with PTSD and Traumatic Brain Injury.
Carolyn has been training, competing, and titling dogs for 40 years in obedience, conformation, tracking, agility, earth dog, and for the last decade in K9 Nose Work™. Carolyn’s PRT, Steiff, earned the NW Elite title and participated in the 2014 NACSW National Invitational. Carolyn’s Border Collie, Breezy, has her ELTCH title and participated in the 2017 NACSW National Invitational winning one of the searches and placing in another. Her rescue dog, Sam, achieved his NW2 with a first place overall and is now preparing for NW3 competition. Carolyn’s Labrador puppy is having fun working for primary reward.
Christina Bunn, CNWI
Christina Bunn is the owner and master trainer of Puget Sound Detection Dogs. Christina has been training detection dogs for over 21 years and has owned and operated her own facility for over 15 of those years. Christina has evaluated hundreds of canines for work in detection and has trained over 150 for the detection of controlled substances. At one point, Christina had over 50 dogs working throughout Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and the country of Brazil. Among the dogs that worked in Oregon, 11 of those dogs had been with Oregon State Police.
Christina has been an instructor at the Pacific Northwest Police Detection Dog Association’s conference for the last 10 years. Christina is a volunteer for Snohomish County Volunteer Search and Rescue and has served in many capacities for 21 years.
During her time with SCVSAR Christina has handled two canines. K9 Matty was an area search dog and was also crossed trained to locate human remains. K9 Matty’s daughter, K9 Springfield, was a trailing K9 and was also crossed trained for human remains. Christina and her K9 partners were utilized on hundreds of missions and had multiple successes in live find as well as human remains. She is the trainer for the county’s HRD Team and conducts weekly trainings.
Christina trained “Terra” the Eco Dog that currently works for EcoTech LLC in Portland, Oregon. Terra’s duties include locating buried, leaking, heating oil tanks, and detecting soil contamination, including aviation crash sites. Christina has registered two canines with Pet Partners and HOPE Animal Assisted Crisis Response. During Christina and K9 Springfield’s career together, they deployed to the Marysville Pilchuck Highschool murder suicide, the SPU shooting and the HWY 530 Mudslide providing comfort to those involved in these crises.
With over 45 collective years in the working and companion dog realm, Christina has worked with humane societies, boarding kennels, and veterinarian hospitals. She is a Canine Good Citizen/STAR Puppy/AKC Tricks Evaluator, Certified Nose Work Instructor and Trial Judge. She teaches 13 sport detection classes a week for all levels from intro to Summit.
Having the great honor of judging at the first National NACSW trial in 2013, Christina is known for saying, “Don’t ask your dog to lower herself to your level, you, as a handler, must rise up to your dog’s level. You must become a student of your dog.”
Christina competes at the Utility level in Competitive Obedience with her Dutch Shepherd, “Dori”. Christina and “Dori” also compete in Tracking, Agility, Lure Coursing, FAST, and Dock Diving. They have multiple competitive titles under their belt. They have explored Herding and IPO. Christina is married, the mother of 5 adult children, 2 stepsons, and has 12 grandchildren to boot.
Karin Damon, CNWI
Karin has been involved in performance events with dogs since 2002. She started out in a basic obedience class with her Golden Retriever, Keebler, and put an AKC Versatility title on him. She has competed in agility; tracking, field work, obedience and nose work with her other Goldens’: Jig, Jeep, Shamrock and Fiddler (newest member of the family). All of the clan has been involved in advertising – showing up in various places such as commercials for Claritin, Pedigree, PetSmart Dog Food, A&P Food Stores, and even appearing on “Conan O’Brien” and “Saturday Night Live”. Jeep appeared on the cover of Dog Fancy and Jig was on the AKC Website.
Karin has achieved the National Association of Canine Scent Work (NACSW) Elite Championship title with both Jig and Jeep. Jig was the first Golden Retriever in the country to earn the Championship title. Karin and Jig participated in the inaugural NACSW National Invitational in California in 2013 as one of 13 dogs selected throughout the country and was Dog in White for the 2014 and 2017 NACSW National Invitational. Karin is a NACSW Certifying Official and Judge, a Trial Site Advisor for NACSW Trials, and a Certified Nose Work Instructor (CNWI) teaching nose work since the sport came to the East Coast in March of 2010.
Karin became a certified Pet Tech First Aid and CPR Instructor in San Diego, CA and is working to finish her Canine Rehabilitation Certificate from the University of Tennessee. She was selected to work at the 1996 Olympic games in Atlanta, Georgia in the equestrian, mountain biking and modern pentathlon venues. Karin retired as the Head Athletic Trainer at Centenary College to start her own business.
She is the owner of Shamrock Pot of Gold K9 Scenter in New Jersey.
Leah Gangelhoff, CNWI, CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA
Leah Gangelhoff currently owns and operates Flint Hill K-9 Training, LLC serving the Greater Birmingham, AL area. Leah has owned and operated her own canine training and behavior business since 2002, during which time she has developed thousands of private comprehensive education courses for dogs and their owners for puppy, obedience, and serious behavior issues of all kinds, including fear and aggression. While living in Los Angeles, Leah trained in narcotics detection with co-founders Ron Gaunt and Amy Herot from 2004-2006 before the activity and sport of K9 Nose Work® was born. Leah became involved in K9 Nose Work® in 2010 and is a Senior Faculty Member at the National Association of Canine Scent Work (NACSW™), an NACSW™ Trial Judge and Trial Certifying Official, and a Certified Nose Work Instructor (CNWI). She has also developed and presented over 30 workshops and seminars nationally and internationally on a variety of topics in K9 Nose Work®. As a Senior Faculty Member, she has collaborated with Founders and Faculty to create and teach Continuing Education courses for Certified Nose Work Instructors and is currently developing and teaching a Continuing Education webinar series for NACSW™ Certified Nose Work Instructors (CNWI).
Leah has logged over 1000 hours of professional narcotics detection training with a large group of dogs prior to the birth of nose work as a pet dog sport, with mentors Ron Gaunt and Amy Herot and with Rodney Spicer/Gold Coast K-9 from 2004-2006. Leah has personally passed professional detection certifications (both written and search tests) in narcotics detection (POST standards) with Evolution K9 in northern California and with the Oxnard Police Department separately with two different dogs (German Shepherd and Papillon, probably the first and only in narcotics detection).
Leah trained and trialed her German Shepherd, Konner, in K9 Nose Work® all the way up through the NACSW™ Summit Division for Elite Champion teams. She and Konner competed in four Summit Trials before he passed away in 2020 of a brain tumor at 11 years old. Leah and Konner achieved the highest title possible in K9 Nose Work®, a Summit title, placing 2nd Overall with pronounced designations and first and second placements in many Summit trial searches. She earned an NW3 Elite with her Belgian shepherd, Zephyr, placing First, First, and Second Overall at those trials, and has recently earned an NW3 Elite placing 2nd Overall and receiving a Pronounced ribbon, with her 11-pound chihuahua/terrier mix shelter dog, Bruno Mars. She and her 16-month-old Cattle Dog puppy, Butterbean, are entered into their first ORTs later this month.
Leah has had the honor of being invited by the Camp Director and K9 Nose Work® Founders to teach at over 18 K9 Nose Work® Training Camps since 2011. She currently specializes in teaching K9 Nose Work® classes and privates locally and coaching groups, clinics, and seminars nationally and internationally in the sport of K9 Nose Work®.
Jennie Keifer, CNWI
Jennie was introduced to K9 Nose Work® in 2009, at the first Intro to Nose Work workshop held in Northern California. Before Nose Work she did not appreciate her Golden Retriever’s intense desire to hunt critters, so was instantly hooked on the training as she channeled her dog’s instincts into a healthy and rewarding outlet for both of them. Jennie and Karlie went on to compete in the first 3 NACSW™ National Invitationals and qualified for the 2017 National Invitational. They also competed in the first Elite Division trial in Santa Rosa, CA in 2015. Jennie never dreamed that she and Karlie would go so far and grow so much as a team.
Jennie’s second Golden, Abbie started playing Nose Work games as a puppy and Jennie very quickly learned the value of this game to build self-confidence in puppies as well as adult dogs. Jennie and Abbie went on to earn their ELT2 and met the requirements for the 2017 National Invitational in MA.
Jennie is now competing with her 5-year-old Labrador, Emerson and her 2-year-old Golden Retriever, Lainey. She is enjoying the journey with her two young dogs, grateful for all that her first two goldens taught her.
Jennie’s love of the game and the benefits it has for dogs and owners alike, motivated her to achieve CNWI status in May, 2011. She currently teaches numerous K9 Nose Work® classes each week and offers a number of roaming drop-in classes. Jennie’s students range from those just starting out on their nose work adventures to those competing at the Summit level. Jennie works as part of the NACSW™ Trial Department, oversees memberships and the ORT Team, and has been a Certifying Official for the NACSW™ since 2012. Jennie worked as a Customer Service Manager for 19 years, but decided to leave the corporate world to pursue her true love of working with dogs and their humans.
Jacy Kelley, CNWI
Jacy Kelley began his professional dog handling career in the United
States Air Force as a Military Working Dog Handler where he performed Narcotic and Explosive detection duties and protection details for the Department of Defense, the Secret Service, and The State Department for various heads of state. Upon his departure from service, Jacy worked for a government contractor conducting explosive detection operations. After almost 20 years of detection experience, Jacy turned his passion for dogs and the relationship between dog and owner into his own business. He is now the owner and operator of Canine Copilots, LLC in the Washington, DC area. Canine Copilots offers a variety of classes although the main focus is on K9 Nose Work.
Jacy has been offering K9 Nose Work classes since 2010 and has been instrumental in the growth of the activity and sport throughout the Mid-Atlantic. His students range from new pet owners to dog sports trainers and professional dog training instructors who want to develop K9 Nose Work programs at their businesses. As the National Association of Canine Scent Work’s (NACSW) first Mid-Atlantic area Certified Nose Work Instructor (CNWI), Judge, Certifying Official, and National Faculty Member, Jacy brings a wealth of knowledge and perspective to all his students. With the demand for classes increasing, Jacy now has four Nose Work instructors on staff, who have been trained by him and are currently enrolled in, or completed, the NACSW’s instructor’s certification program.
Jacy is a thoughtful supportive instructor with a great sense of humor who strives to make each class fun for both dog and owner.
Jill Kovacevich, CNWI
J
ill is the owner of Mountain Dogs in McCoy Colorado. She specializes in K9 Nose Work training, hosting trial events and supporting NACSW in multiple ways. She has trained in obedience, therapy dogs and Dock Dogs with Digger. In 2011 she discovered K9 Nose Work with Dana Zinn at Zinn Dog Training in Wheatridge, CO and began her Nose Work journey with Digger and Izzy. Jill is also the Medical Administrator for Doctors On Call in Avon, CO since 2000, working with her husband Guy, a primary care provider serving Eagle County for 30 years and is a retired Colorado attorney. Jill is a Certified Nose Work Instructor, Trial Site Advisor (on hiatus during COVID), ORT Certifying Official and Judge, Score Room Lead NW1-NW2, Trial Certifying Official (NW1-NW2-NW3) and participated in the 2015-17 NACSW National Invitational Event Committees. Jill is currently trialing with Digger (ELT CH) at the Summit level and with Izzy at Elite.
Jill has also been a professional ski instructor and scuba diving instructor utilizing progressive positive sports training methods for human sports training, a style of teaching she now uses as a key foundation in developing, enhancing and enriching the human-canine bond with every K9 Nose Work handler-dog team from Intro to Nose Work to Elite and beyond. Jill teaches regularly in Eagle, Grand Junction and in the front range area in Colorado and hosts multiple trials annually in Colorado as Mountain Dogs.
Gail McCarthy, CNWI
As the instructor at Scentinel Nose Work Dog Training, Gail has worked with horses and dogs all her life. She rode Hunter/Jumper horses and Three-Day Eventing horses professionally for many years after graduating from college and gave horseback riding lessons up through the advanced levels in dressage and in eventing. When Gail moved to Massachusetts to go to law school, her training interests shifted to working with search and rescue (SAR) dogs and, over a twenty-three-year period of time, she attended over one hundred workshops and seminars from some of the most preeminent detection dog trainers in the country in her quest to learn how best to train independent, focused, reliable and efficient detection dogs.
While Gail has retired from canine SAR, during her career she trained and certified three dogs as wilderness live find search dogs, two dogs to the State Advanced Level. One of these dogs Gail trained and certified twice at the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Advanced Level Live Find Disaster Dog Evaluation. Another dog was trained and certified twice to the State Advanced Level in Human Remains Detection. Gail was the founder and former Training Director for the Massachusetts Rescue & Recovery K9 Unit and a founder, former Chairperson and Canine Evaluator with the Massachusetts State Search and Rescue Federation. She also was a Canine Handler with the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Urban Search and Rescue, Massachusetts Task Force 1 since 1994 as well as a FEMA Lead Live Find Disaster Dog Evaluator and a FEMA Human Remains Detection Evaluator. In these capacities, Gail worked with numerous SAR dogs over the years and freely shared her knowledge and experience, helping many people achieve their SAR certifications. In recognition of her consistent dedication to the promotion of volunteer canine SAR in Massachusetts and to the training she gave my dogs and to my fellow handlers, the Massachusetts State Senate awarded Gail a “Massachusetts State Senate Citation,” a legislative award of distinction.
As an NACSW Faculty Member and a Certified Nose Work Instructor, Gail has instructed at most of the K9 Nose Work Training Camps held in Pennsylvania, Georgia, Colorado and Oregon. Currently, she serves as an NACSW Judge for NACSW sanctioned K9 Nose Work Competition Trials and has given several webinars for NACSW. She has been teaching Nose Work classes since 2009 and brings her past training experience to her students, many of whom now are among New England’s top title holders in K9 Nose Work. As of April 2021, Gail is the instructor of twenty-three canine teams who have obtained their NW3 Elite Titles and seven of these students have achieved the coveted Elite Championship Title. Gail’s current Nose Work dog, Saoirse, has achieved her ELT2 and her near-to-retirement Nose Work dog, Cajun, is 14 points shy of his ELT1. Please see the “Accolades Page” of Gail’s website http://www.scentinelnosework.com for a listing of her students’ successes in K9 Nose Work.
Gail is looking forward to working with her fellow Nose Work Handlers in Pennsylvania!
Julie Riekes, CNWI
Julie Riekes, CNWI, started K9 Nose Work in January 2013 with her Australian Cattle Dog mix Amber. She and Amber received the Harry Award in January 2014 and caught the nose work “bug” eventually traveling the country to compete and attend nose work seminars and camps. She trains regularly with the founders and several of the founding instructors in Los Angeles where she currently teaches K9 Nose Work classes. Julie is also a NACSW trial host through JavaK9s and has hosted many trials in the Southern California area. In addition, she serves as a mentor to new trial hosts, a volunteer coordinator for fellow hosts, is an NACSW trial coordinator, and is a NACSW Certifying Official. She also works in the NACSW education division and served on the CNWI Manual Task Force. Julie and Amber are one of the few teams in the country to have their ELT-CH title and five Summit titles. They consistently received top overall placements and search placements in NACSW Elite trials and achieved first place overall at five out of the six Summit trials they have competed in.
Julie played competitive tennis from age 11 to 17 and competed on the junior circuit in Southern California. She also completed the John Muir Trail in 2010 and has done extensive hiking and backpacking throughout the Sierra Nevada and San Gabriel Mountains with her husband Duncan and dog Sasha.
Julie spent most of her career in marketing and distribution and worked in her family’s glassware distribution business, Riekes Distributing Company, Inc. She attended UCLA and received a bachelors’ degree in communication studies and holds an MBA from USC.
Laurel Scarioni, CNWI
Laurel has been working professionally with dogs since 1996 with roles including animal control officer, veterinary technician, dog trainer, and behavior specialist. She has trained and titled dogs in rally obedience, agility and, of course, K9 Nose Work®. Laurel teaches K9 Nose Work® classes and workshops, has been an instructor at PA and CO Nose Work Camps, is an NACSW™ Certifying Official, Judge and Trial Coordinator, and is an AKC Scent Work Expert Judge.
Laurel and her husband are currently owned by Agnes, a 2-year-old Brittany, and Walter, a 1-year-old “Malinauzer”.
Dorothy Turley, CNWI, CPDT-KA
Dorothy is a professional, full-time dog trainer in the Olympia, 
Washington area. Her business, Let’s Talk Dogs, specializes in pet dog training, behavior issues and K9 Nose Work®. She began dog training as a hobby in 1995 and quickly became involved with rescue and education work as a volunteer. She eventually transitioned to training others and quit her day job in 2002 to pursue dog training as a full-time professional.
Dorothy teaches classes, private lessons and also hosts educational seminars and workshops. She has also traveled as the working assistant to Kathy Sdao, MS, CAAB (Bright Spot Dog Training). She is a Certified Pet Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA) and a Certified Nose Work Instructor (CNWI) and continues her education by attending seminars and workshops. She has graduated from the Dogs of Course Instructor training, CNWI instructor training and 3 sessions of Bob Bailey’s “Chicken Camp.” Over the years she has volunteered and worked at her local shelters and various rescue groups.
In early 2010 Dorothy attended her first K9 Nose Work® seminar with Ron Gaunt. She was hooked. She knew this was a great activity that she wanted to share it with her clients. She began working with her dog and car reactive dog, Zoey, and never looked back. She had no plans to compete with this particular “problem” dog so was thrilled when Zoey not only earned her NW1 title but also took first place. Dorothy is now a Supervising/Elite Certifying Official for the NACSW™. She is also an experienced trial and ORT host, National Trial Coordinator, Trial Representative and Score Room Lead for the NACSW™. She shares her life with her husband and 3 dogs (all mutts) in Rochester, Washington. She is currently trialing with her Chihuahua mix, Brigette, at the NW3 level. Dorothy and Zoey had the honor of attending the National Invitational in November, 2017.
Judy Archer-Dick, CNWi - Guest Instructor
Unlike many dog trainers and enthusiasts, Judy’s journey with dogs started mid-life. Growing up with cats as pets (in order to dissuade her constant pleas for a dog, her parents always told her as a child that the country was the place for a dog, not the city), she finally adopted a rescue Aussie when she DID move to the country. After a couple of disastrous years trying to “train” Hank with the traditional techniques, she started researching and found there was a whole new world of positive reinforcement training out there! With a young, behaviorally-challenged year-old Aussie pup named Gooseberry in tow, she attended some newly-launched local clicker training classes, eventually joining with a fellow student to take over the trainer position when their mentor moved out of town. My Best Friend Dog Training was formed in 2001 based on positive reinforcement training and promoting the dog-human bond.
Judy became a CPDT-KA in 2004 and a CBCC-KA in 2011. The first time she heard about and played around with “this new sport they are doing in California” was at a 2009 training course with John Rogerson. She finally had a chance in September 2011 to attend a fascinating workshop with Ron, Amy & Jill Marie: after being persuaded by Silke Wittig to attend Pennsylvania Nose Work Camp with a newly-adopted dog named Kat in September 2012, she was hooked!
She became a CNWI in 2013 and before Kat’s untimely death competed with her to the Elite II level. She currently teaches over a dozen Nose Work classes a week from Intro to Elite as well as working with behavioral clients through My Best Friend Dog Training. She is just beginning her new Nose Work journey with Gemma, her young Aussie mix.
Judy lives in the country with her patient husband Charles, the dog-training cat Maddie, an adorable Maltese mix Ted, and impetuous Gemma.
Karin Damon, CNWI - Guest Instructor
Karin has been involved in performance events with dogs since 2002. She started out in a basic obedience class with her Golden Retriever, Keebler, and put an AKC Versatility title on him. She is 
presently competing in agility; tracking, obedience and nose work with her other Goldens’: Jig, Jeep and Shamrock (newest member of the family). All of the clan has been involved in advertising – showing up in various places such as commercials for Claritin, Pedigree, PetSmart Dog Food, A&P Food Stores, and even appearing on “Conan O’Brien” and “Saturday Night Live”. Jeep most recently appeared on the cover of Dog Fancy and Jig has been on the AKC Website.
Karin has achieved the National Association of Canine Scent Work (NACSW) Elite Championship title with both Jig and Jeep. Jig was the first Golden Retriever in the country to earn the Championship title. Karin and Jig participated in the inaugural NACSW National Invitational in California in 2013 as one of 13 dogs selected throughout the country and was Dog in White for the 2014 and 2017 NACSW National Invitational. Karin is a NACSW Certifying Official, a Trial Site Advisor for NACSW Trials, and a Certified Nose Work Instructor (CNWI) teaching nose work since the sport came to the East Coast in March of 2010.
Karin became a certified Pet Tech First Aid and CPR Instructor in San Diego, CA and is working to finish her Canine Rehabilitation Certificate from the University of Tennessee. She was selected to work at the 1996 Olympic games in Atlanta, Georgia in the equestrian, mountain biking and modern pentathlon venues. Karin recently retired as the Head Athletic Trainer at Centenary College to start her own business. She is the owner of Shamrock Pot of Gold K9 Scenter in New Jersey.
Andy Sperber CNWI - Guest Instructor
Andy first discovered K9 Nose Work in 2012 when he was looking for an activity his energetic 2-year-old Golden Retriever Maho could participate in. After the first 6-week class, he was immediately “hooked” and intrigued by the activity.
Using every opportunity to observe and learn how our friends communicate with us in everything they do has become a passion. Attending multiple Nose Work Camps, Seminars, Webinars, and Workshops has exposed the team to an even larger variety of training techniques and environmental situations to expand this knowledge.
His love for nose work has led him on a wonderful journey! Andy & Maho have achieved the titles of NW1, NW2, NW3, NW3 Elite, ELT 1, ELT2, ELT3 and the coveted ELT-CH. They were invited and competed with some of the top nose work teams in the country at the NACSW National Invitational competitions in Loveland, CO in 2015 and in W. Springfield, MA in 2017. They are currently competing in the Summit League and having fun at Element Specialty trials.
Andy likes to say that we never stop learning from the dogs.
Andy is a Certified Nose Work Instructor (CNWI) with the National Association of Canine Scent Work (NACSW).He currently resides in New Jersey with his wife Dara (also a CNWI) and their two golden retrievers Maho & Kira. Together they teach Nose Work classes through their business Sniff4Fun, LLC.
New to Nose Work:
People without nose work experience are encouraged to come to camp as auditors or Logistics Team Members to learn about the activity. We welcome instructors, sports enthusiasts, hobby trainers, and shelter workers to attend camp as your introduction to K9 Nose Work®.
Experienced Nose Work Trainers:
Our camp caters to dog/handler teams that are already on odor and experienced trainers that would like to audit. Dogs new to working on odor up through dogs ready to compete or currently competing in Nose Work trials will gain valuable experience at Camp. We welcome repeat campers back to continue their education as well as new campers that have been taking classes with instructors versed in or who are willing to learn about the K9 Nose Work® methodology.
Dog Training Instructors:
Camp is a great way for current and future K9 Nose Work® instructors to learn about the activity. Whether you want to start classes for fun, competition, shelter dog enrichment, or as part of a behavior modification protocol, attending Camp will provide a solid foundation, as well as, advanced training you can take home and apply. Learn from some of the world’s most skilled and experienced instructors, including founders of the sport.
If you are currently teaching K9 Nose Work® classes, camp provides an opportunity to deepen your knowledge and skills, learn the newest techniques, and understand the latest thinking behind the training. Camp gives you time to fine tune your skills, so you can go back to your students with the most current knowledge.
Certified Nose Work Instructors, as well as instructors certified with other organizations, will be given continuing education credit that is necessary for keeping your status current.
See the Continuing Education Units section below for full details.
We work with dogs and their handlers that are already on odor from novices preparing for their first Odor Recognition Test to dogs that have earned titles at all levels. All dogs will be working on Birch, Anise and Clove odor. Working spots are limited.
Working Campers, Pre-Competition and Beyond
When you bring your dog to camp you will be placed in a group of approximately 8 dogs of similar level. Generally these groups cater to dogs that have not yet achieved an Elite title or equivalent.
Elite/Summit titled teams are welcome to also participate in the “regular” working groups. Elite/Summit Teams in regular groups should expect a mix of participants including those currently competing at the NW3 level. Focus will generally be at the NW3 level with only some preparation for Elite trialing.
Working Campers, Elite/Summit groups
We offer specialized groups for our Elite/Summit League teams that would like a smaller group experience. Each Elite group will have 5 dog/handler working teams instead of 8 working teams. These working groups are designed to meet the needs of teams competing in Elite and Summit League. Each team will benefit from specific coaching on competition strategy with more time to work through complex problems and unique challenges to better prepare them for competition. Elite Groups may consist of a mix of different levels of Elite and Summit League teams. Dogs must have an NW3 Elite title to participate. There is an additional fee for the smaller Elite groups.
Auditing Campers: Campers who register as auditors are welcome to attend all sessions and move from group to group as long as she/he does not create a distraction or disturbance. Auditors may attend, but will not participant in, the training or other dog related activities. During working sessions we ask that auditors hold questions as it takes away from and interferes with the working campers’ time. Auditors can ask questions during lectures. Auditors must leave their dog(s) home. Anyone that stays on camp property and is not working a dog is considered an auditor.
If the primary reason for coming to camp is to learn for your students and your dog is not at the level you need instruction in or you want to learn about multiple levels, we suggest you audit camp and leave your dog home.
All persons attending camp as non-working participants will be required to register as an Auditor. Due to the nature of this event no exceptions will be permitted for this camp.
Logistics Team Member Campers (help us at camp):
If you would like to attend camp at a reduced rate, and like to help out, this may be the option for you! In exchange for working, Logistics Team Members audit camp sessions, have the option to work their dog in four special training sessions, live in shared housing with all meals included. Logistics Team Members play a critical role in making camp run smoothly. They help set up camp (arrive early), move crates and tents, assist instructors, support campers, clean up after camp and perform a variety of other duties. There are some restrictions due to the nature of the job, but many campers find being on the Logistics Team a great option. Please note that this can be a physical job that requires lifting and the ability to walk around the Camp easily.
Please contact Bonnie for an information packet to help you decide if this is a job for you.
Camp is open to all adults, who are at least 18 years old, interested in K9 Nose Work and can meet the requirements of camp.
All campers must be in good physical condition and able to walk to all activities as cars will be parked at the edge of camp in the parking area. This is a large facility on hilly terrain.
All Campers must be physically able to move their crates, other gear, and your dog short/medium distances to get to the next training area. It may be up or down an hill. A wagon or other type of cart is recommended.
Campers must be willing to clean up and sweep their room/cabin before going home leaving it in a neat and tidy condition.
Campers must agree and adhere to the Dog Attendance Policy.
Campers must clean up after his/her dog(s) and deposit feces in garbage receptacles.
Campers will need two crates for their working dog. One for the room and a second one to bring to the work stations. We suggest your working crate to be sturdy but light weight and easy to carry. A small dolly or a crate cart that can roll on bumpy dirt roads or grass could be very helpful if you want to move your own crate or to move in and out of your housing.
There will be a designated smoking area in the upper campus for those who want to smoke. All smoking must be done in designated open areas and never inside a building, structure, or in a wooded area. Violation of these rules is grounds for dismissal without refund.
Alcohol is strictly prohibited when working dogs or attending classes.
When more than one person attends from a family with one dog, one person is designated the handler and does all the training. The other person is an auditor. Family members cannot take turns working the dog.
We have a NEW location!
Camp Chen-A-Wanda is nestled in the heart of the magnificent Pocono Mountains in Susquehanna County, PA just 2.5 hours from New York City and centrally located for easy access from a variety of other metropolitan areas. Situated on acres of rolling hills with a spectacular lake, open fields, and hiking areas (on leash please), Chen-A-Wanda provides a perfect setting for nose work fun. Camp Chen-A-Wanda has a number of buildings for inside training as well as an abundance of outside space for exterior and vehicle search education.
Click Here to take a virtual tour of the grounds!
Camp photos:
Please see the “Tuition, Lodging and Other Camp Options and Fees” Section below for details about housing options that are still open.
Lodging listed below may change due to ongoing camp improvements and COVID. We will update as necessary.
Each camper requests the lodging that best meets her/his needs on a first come basis. Campers from the previous year have the option to return to their housing or upgrade before general registration opens.
2022 Housing: Due to COVID we prefer only to put people that know each other into multiple occupancy cabins. We will do our best to work with campers that want to stay on the property and need roommates. This may mean that commuting may be an option if your housing choice is not available.
Cabin Bunk Rooms: Most campers will enjoy the full summer camp experience and bunk in a cabin as a single or with multiple occupancy. Multiple occupancy cabins will be approximately two to four people in a cabin bunk room. Campers may request roommates. If two or more campers want to be guaranteed a bunk room all to themselves, the pricing is considered “standard rate plus occupancy.” Number, size, and special needs of dogs, or camper requirements, may dictate the lodging accommodations options available. Owners of reactive dogs or socially awkward dogs may find it best to room with friends that understand and can accommodate the dog’s spatial 
requirements or stay in a private/single room. For those campers with dog reactive dogs that are coming on their own and are staying in the cabins (not a single room/bunk), we will do our best to match you with another camper that has a dog with similar social needs or an auditor. It will be up to each camper to work with her/his bunk mate to create a safe and equal living environment. This may require that dogs will have limited time loose in the bunk room and must sleep in their crates or an ex-pen at night. Campers with “friendly” dogs should expect that this may be required for your dog as well.
Single Rooms/Cabin Bunk Rooms:
There are a limited number of compact single rooms with their own small private bathroom. The single rooms are best for one adult or a couple and one or two dogs due to limited floor space and may require stacking crates.
A limited number of single cabins (bunkroom) are also available. This option will give the camper a private bath and exterior entry with multiple twin bunk beds and plenty of room to stretch out. Some of the twin bunk beds can be moved together to give you more space. The cabins are not heated, so plan accordingly.
The housing at Camp Chen-A-Wanda offers a true sleepover camp experience. Campers should rustic charm and expect very basic amenities. The rooms and cabins are not heated or air-conditioned. Some rooms have fans.
Campers must bring their own linens. There is no linen service. Campers should plan to bring sleeping bags or heavy blankets. Electric blankets for the beds are welcome.
Pet Cleaning Fees: $25
The ability to stay at a children’s camp with our dogs is a privilege. No matter how well we clean-up after ourselves, facilities need extra cleaning after dogs stay. For all campers living on-site that bring dogs there will be a $25 per camper pet cleaning fee. This includes Logistic Team Members who bring a dog with them to camp. Commuters, Auditors and LTM without a dog do not have to pay the fee.
Additional cleaning or damage fees may be required if a camper leaves their housing in worse condition then when they arrived.
Commuters: Campers that prefer more up-scale accommodations are welcome to commute to camp each day. The cost for commuters is the same as campers staying in multiple occupancy cabins and includes all meals and all activities. Commuters who are working dogs should plan on crating their dogs in their vehicles. Vehicles will be parked at the edges of the camp or in one of the athletic fields that may be a walk from the main activities. Campers must provide their own shade as needed. There is not a commuter crating cabin at this camp.
Commuters are responsible for locating and making their own sleeping arrangements. “Bring Fido” website has some ideas for lodging, as well as VRBOs in the Thompson, PA area.
We’re sorry, but there will be no camper RV parking in 2022.
This is a new camp for us, and we are not familiar enough with the parking and “lay of the land” to know if we can accommodate campers’ RVs.
Campers and staff eat together in the dining hall. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be served in the dining hall at designated times starting with lunch on arrival day and ending with breakfast on move out day. The menu will consist of healthy, filling food for omnivores as well as vegetarians. We are sorry but we can not cater to specific dietary restrictions and suggest campers that have special needs supplement the meals as needed. Grocery Stores are about 30 minutes from Camp.
- Each working participant will be permitted to bring their registered working dog, plus one additional non-working dog at no additional fee. Additional non-working dogs will be permitted based on available space and there will be an additional fee. The additional dog(s) may not pose any safety, handling or other concerns during camp.
- Only one working dog per working participant. No swapping of dogs during camp classes.
- Non-working dogs must stay quietly in the lodging accommodations while the handler is in class with the working dog.
- Dogs are worked one at a time while the other dogs are resting in crates in the training area until her/his turn.
- Dogs must be able to stay quietly in a crate out of owner’s sight when not working or when owner is not in their lodging. Handlers must sit with dogs that vocalize in their crate during class to quiet them and will miss the opportunity to watch others.
- Dogs must be crated when left alone in the cabins/rooms. Owners are responsible for any damage the dog does to the facility.
- Females in season will be allowed at this camp. See ‘Rules for Females in Season’ below for details.
- Dogs must be healthy and free of contagious conditions including fleas. Dogs found with a contagious illness that may affect the rest of the dog population may be asked to leave without refund.
Your dog’s mental health is important to us, as is the safety, well-being, and enjoyment of all camp participants. If your dog falls into one of the above categories, we ask that you leave him/her at home and attend camp as an auditor.
Dogs that are NOT good candidates for the sleepover camp experience:
- Dogs with moderate to severe separation stress are not good candidates for camp. Dogs must be crated away from the owners during meals, lectures and in working sessions in unfamiliar environments. At Camp we live and train in close proximity so dogs that vocalize regularly and for extended periods of time create stress for other campers and dogs in the area. For most dogs with separation issues Camp compounds the problems seen at home or in classes. At this camp car crating is not realistic as vehicles are parked remotely.
- Dogs that have moderate to severe dog to dog aggression. For many dogs with serious spatial issues living 24-hours a day for multiple days in a novel environment, with strange dogs everywhere, can significantly increase stress, inappropriate behavior, aggression, and/or arousal. Dogs that cannot calmly walk by another dog within 8′ – 10′ or be crated in the same area as other dogs do not generally make good candidates for camp.
- Puppies under 5 months of age cannot attend camp. Pups older than 5 months must be comfortable with crating in an unfamiliar environment, being crated away from their owner and be mentally mature enough to handle the stress of a multi-day camp. Older pups should be completely housebroken if attending camp. We cannot have housebreaking accidents in the camp owned facilities.
- Dogs that are reactive to PEOPLE cannot attend Camp. At Camp dogs will be exposed to many different strangers during classes and while living on the campus. Dogs are asked to work problems in close proximity (in particular – interiors) to other campers and staff members. All dogs must be able to tolerate quick movement, gesticulation, normal and repeated eye contact, vocal interaction, close proximity, and unplanned encounters from men and women. We cannot provide special accommodations for dogs that are not comfortable with all types of people in close proximity.
- This includes human reactive dogs that have acclimated to a class or private lesson situation but are still reactive with strangers, in strange situations, or react when under stress. Tolerance to people in a regular class or familiar situation is not a good indicator that a dog will do well at Camp. Again, the living and group training logistics of the Camp environment will often magnify issues or cause a regression in modified behavior.
- We cannot accommodate dogs that are human aggressive or have fear issues that may evoke a warning or an aggressive response.
- Dogs that threaten other dogs or humans, or are considered to be a perceived danger at camp to themselves or others will be asked to leave. No refunds will be offered if a dog is excused from participating in camp or asked to leave the camp grounds.
We all want to have a pleasant experience; the success of this event will rely on everyone being diligent in complying with all the canine rules of engagement.
- All dogs must be able to be safely and humanely physically controlled by their registered handler.
- All dogs must be kept on a six foot leash unless in designated areas or working directly in a session with camp staff personnel (no moving dogs from one area to another on flexi-leads or long lines).
- Dogs must remain ON LEASH at all times… NO EXCEPTIONS. (except where noted)
- Dogs must be crate trained and able to be crated safely and quietly away from the handler.
- No dog/dog play or interaction will be permitted unless between two dogs residing in the same household.
- There will be a designated long line or flexi-lead exercise areas for playing ball or swimming your dog. We will not have an off lead area at camp. Off lead outside exercising must be done off camp property.
- We ask that, regardless of how friendly your dog may be, you respect that not every dog is comfortable with other dogs approaching and may communicate their displeasure. Please ask permission before you let your dog approach or get too close to other dogs. Managing your dog is your direct responsibility. Participants that must be repeatedly reminded of camp rules about not allowing their dog to approach other dogs, or if their dog poses other safety concerns, may be dismissed from camp without refund.
- If you work a dog that does not do well in close proximity to other dogs or humans, you will need to evaluate carefully the appropriateness of camp for your dog. See above.
- Dogs that need space or react to dogs or are worried must wear a red bandana and have a bandana tied to his/her crate (or car) to help communicate the dog’s needs.
- Campers must be willing to negotiate with his/her cabin-mates so there are fair and peaceful living conditions for all involved. Please expect that your dog will need to be crated at least part of the time when in the cabin.
- Owners must commute or have a single room. For housing exceptions, please discuss with Dana.
- Commuters must crate their dogs in their vehicles during lunch and lectures.
- Your dog must wear pants at all times except when toileting.
- Expect to have a designated toilet area.
- Movement of female dogs in season may be restricted to going to and from classes and toilet area.
- Bring a sturdy crate for your dog; your dog cannot be left unattended in a room with other dogs present.
- Expect that your dog may need to run last in classes.
- Non-working dogs are NOT allowed at camp if in season.
- Dana Crevling/Camp must be notified in advance that you will have a female dog in season at camp.
We will not have an Add-On Day in 2022 at Camp Chen-A-Wanda
We will have a camp store with fun Nose Work related items, including T-shirts, for you and your dog. Cash and checks are strongly encouraged. Credit card payment may be limited due to wifi conductivity.
NACSW™
10 CEUs
CCPDT
10 CEUs for CPDT-KA/KSA
IAABC
25 CEUs for working spots
10 CEUs for auditors
KPA-CTP
30 CEUs
No video or audio taping of lectures, demonstrations or classes permitted. At the discretion of the instructor and facility, videotaping of your own dog may be allowed during runs but may not be posted on a public website such as You Tube, Facebook, etc. without permission. There may be some videotaping done by the staff or instructors for educational or promotional purposes if participants at the workshop have signed a photo/video release. Auditors and campers may NOT videotape other teams working unless they are videoing for the person working with her/his camera. Any approved videotaping is for personal use only.
Photography is welcome and encouraged at camp. Campers are encouraged to take still photographs at camp and post on social media. Before you post a photo of another person on social media, please be sure to have their permission.
We will have a professional photographer at camp taking photos of the camp experience.
COVID-19 (2/21/22 revision)
Due to COVID-19 and all the uncertainty that has come with it, we need to let you know several things:
- Our goal is to provide a safe environment where we can all feel comfortable and risk is minimized while still enjoying the camp experience.
- All Campers must be fully vaccinated and show proof of vaccination upon registration. If you have a religious or medical reason for not being vaccinated then we may be able to work with you on getting tested right before camp and possibly during camp as well. Dana would need to talk to anyone that may want an exception.
- PCR testing 5 days prior to traveling to camp is strongly recommended/encouraged. See refund policy. If you can’t get PCR testing, please rapid test instead.
- Campers should expect to take rapid tests upon arrival at camp and/or during camp.
- Campers should bring 2 rapid test kits with them to camp. One to use at registration in the presence of a staff member. The second rapid test should be saved to have available if needed while at camp.
- All Campers must wear masks for interior searches, and depending on the level of COVID-19 in the area/country, you may be asked to wear masks outdoors as well. Or if things are really good, we may not need masks. Best to plan for them. We will be making decisions based on CDC guidelines and will err on the side of caution.
- By coming to camp, you will agree to cooperate with the rules or regulations set in place with regards to mask wearing, hand sanitizing, food handling, and other protocols.
- You will be asked to sign a COVID-19 waiver before coming to camp, indicating that you have had and are up-to-date on your vaccine including boosters, do not have COVID-19, have not been in contact or exposed to any person with COVID-19.
- Social distancing will be strongly encouraged and/or required in certain situations.
- Non-compliance may result in dismissal from Camp without a refund.
- Campers with COVID may not participate in Camp and will be asked to leave.
COVID Cancellation Policy for PA Camp 2022:
12/12/21
Due to the ever changing national COVID situation, it is difficult to anticipate what will be happening when camp runs. We have done our best to come up with a refund policy based on current information that is fair for both the camper who may have COVID, the other campers and staff, and Dogs of Course.
- Campers who get COVID within 14 days of the start of Camp or are still symptomatic (other than sense of smell/taste) will be refunded in full minus the non-refundable deposit. Camper must show proof of positive COVID PCR test from a health care provider to be refunded.
- Campers who arrive at Camp and test positive at registration will be refunded as follows:
- Campers who have had a negative PCR test 5 days or less before the start of Camp will be refunded in full minus the non-refundable deposit. Proof of the negative PCR test from a health care provider is required to be refunded at this level.
- Campers who have not had a PCR test 5 days or less before the start of Camp will be refunded tuition minus the non-refundable deposit and an additional $300.
- Campers who get COVID during camp will be refunded on a prorated basis. Each case will be looked at individually.
These policies may change depending on the current COVID information and status. Registered campers will be informed of changes in this policy.
2022 Camp Tuition
Update, May 5, 2022 – All Working Spots and Elite Working Spots are full. Please sign up for the wait list by going to the Registration Form at the bottom of the webpage.
Tuition includes 1 or 2 dogs. See costs for additional dogs below. Camp tuition covers lodging, meals and all classes and activities.
Lodging preference is not guaranteed. We have limited camp housing, so once the reserved rooms fill up, you will only be able to attend as a Commuter.
Anyone who is not staying at Camp Chen-A-Wanda is considered a commuter. Commuter rate applies to campers staying in any housing that is not designated for our group. The Commuter fee will cover meals, all training and other activities.
| Tuition | before or on 6-1-2022 | after 6-1-2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Working Spot Update, May 5, 2022 – All Working Spots and Elite Working Spots are full. Please sign up for the wait list by going to the Registration Form at the bottom of the webpage. | $1325 | $1375 |
| Working Spot – Elite (+$725) Update, May 5, 2022 – All Working Spots and Elite Working Spots are full. Please sign up for the wait list by going to the Registration Form at the bottom of the webpage. | $2050 | $2100 |
| Auditor Spot | $795 | $845 |
| Helper Logistics Team Member Register only if you’ve been approved/accepted. Email Bonnie for information. Helpers can choose Camp Housing or Commuter option. | $470 | $470 |
| Room/Accommodation Options | ||
| Standard Room – Multi Multiple Occupancy Cabin, 2-4 people in an unheated cabin bunk room with shared bathroom | +$0 | +$0 |
Standard Room Plus – Multi: Private bunk room with shared bathroom for 2 or more people who want their own cabin bunk room. Unheated cabin. Limited number; first come basis. If you want to stay with someone during camp, tell us your roommate’s name. | +$100 | +$100 |
Premium Room – Single: Available to Auditors only if other occupant is a working camper. Private single room/private bath/exterior entry. One double or queen bed for 1 person with one or two dogs. Unheated. Rooms are small, so crates may need to be stacked. Limited number; first come basis. | +$200 | +$200 |
| Premium Room – Single Cabin: FULL – Wait list for single cabins. Private cabin. Multiple twin sized beds that can be pushed together for 1 person with one or more dogs. Plenty of room to stretch out and move around. Unheated cabin. Limited number; first come basis. FULL. Wait list started. Contact Bonnie to be placed on the wait list. | +$200 | +$200 |
Premium Room – Multi: Private single room/private bath/exterior entry. One double or queen bed for 2 people with one or two dogs. Unheated. Rooms are small, so crates may need to be stacked. Limited number; first come basis. | +$200 | +$200 |
Commuter: Stay offsite and commute to camp daily. Includes three meals a day and all activities.; no housing. Dogs crated in your car when not in class. Cars will be parked on the outskirts of camp or in athletic fields. | +$0 | +$0 |
| RV Spot Not available at this camp | N/A | N/A |
| Additional Options | ||
| One additional dog (total of three dogs) Only for working participants; auditors cannot bring dogs. | $90 | $90 |
| Two additional dogs (total of four dogs) Only for working participants; auditors cannot bring dogs. | $180 | $180 |
| Please contact Dana if you need to bring more than 3 dogs for one working participant as this may limit housing options or your ability to be a camper. | ||
| Linen Service – no linens Campers must bring their own linens. There is no linen service at this camp, | N/A | N/A |
| Cleaning Fee For Working Campers and LTM bringing a dog and living on-site. Auditors and commuters do not need to pay a cleaning fee. | $25 | $25 |
Registration ends at 5:00pm ET on July 2, 2022 or when limit has been reached. Registration acceptance is subject to approval by the staff.
A $300 deposit or full payment is required at the time of registration. Please note that the non-refundable portion of your tuition is $200 for regular working groups, Logistics Team Members and auditors and $275 for Elite Groups. Full payment is due no later than 90 days prior to the start of camp – June 2, 2022.
Payment Options: You may pay via PayPal or check. Your registration will not be considered complete until we receive payment and approve your attendance. Registration is pending for check payment until received and processed and we approve your attendance.
Working spots are limited. All persons attending camp as non-working participants will be required to register as an Auditor. Due to the nature of this event no exceptions will be permitted for this camp.
Please read all information below along with the cancellation policy carefully (posted in next section) before registering.
All cancellations must be sent to Dogs of Course and must be in writing. An acknowledgement of your cancellation will be emailed to you within 3 business days from Dogs of Course. Please keep a copy of the cancellation email for your records; your cancellation is not valid without this confirmation of receipt. K9 Nose Work® Training Camp and Dogs of Course are not responsible for cancellations that do not reach the office by the deadlines.
Please note that the non-refundable portion of your tuition is $200 for regular working groups, Logistics Team Members and auditors and $275 for Elite Groups.
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
This policy applies to participants that must withdraw for ANY reason, including but not limited to injury, illness, emergency, and personal or work-related reasons. This policy is without exception.
If you have concerns about the cancellation/refund policy, please consider researching “Trip/Travel Insurance” options independently.
- Cancellations received within 3 days of registration, full refund. If you change your mind about attending camp within 3 days of your registration, a full refund will be offered.
- Cancellations received 60 days or more before the camp start date will be refunded in full less the $200 non-refundable, non-transferable (neither to another person nor camp, event, seminar), cancellation fee.
- Cancellations received between 60 and 30 days of the camp start date, will be refunded 50% of the tuition after the $200 non-refundable, non-transferable, cancellation fee is deducted. If Dogs of Course obtains a qualified working team that meets the replacement qualifications (see below) either on our wait list or through Dogs of Course marketing search 30 days before the start of camp, tuition will be refunded in full less the $200 fee as indicated in first bullet above. Campers will not be able to locate their own replacements. Campers may refer candidates to Dogs of Course to be placed on the wait list. All replacement campers must come from the camp wait list. Qualifications for replacement are: The dog may need to be working at the same level as the dog previously registered and the team can fit the previously requested housing assignment.
- Due to the nature of running a dog training camp cancellations received 30 days or fewer before the camp start date will not receive a refund nor be eligible for the replacement option stated above.
- Each Nose Work® Camp is considered a “Single Event.” As such, registration for one camp cannot be transferred to a different camp. Changes from one camp location to another will be treated as a cancellation for the original camp registration per the above policy. At that time, the camper will be free to register for an alternate camp when camp registration opens for the public. There will be no “early bird” or “pre-registrations” allowed when cancelling one camp and wishing to enroll in an alternate camp.
- Campers may change from a working spot to auditing/logistics team member, or from auditor to logistics team member, under the following guidelines:
- Changes received 60 days or more before the camp start date will be changed for a $25 administrative fee.
- For changes between 60 and 30 days, the camper will receive a refund of 50% of the difference between the two registration fees.
- Due to the nature of running a dog training camp changes from a working spot to an auditor/logistics team member spot received 30 days or fewer before the camp start date not receive a refund.
- Campers with working spots that switch to auditing/logistics team member are subject to housing changes available to auditors. This may include switching from a single accommodation to multiple occupancy.
- Female dogs in season will be permitted to participate in this camp. If a registered working dog comes in season the camper has a few options:
- Option 1) Agree to attend camp under the females in season rules
Rules for Female Working Dogs in Season only:
- Owners must commute or have a single room. For housing exceptions, please discuss with Dana.
- Commuters must crate their dogs in their vehicles during lunch and lectures.
- Your dog must wear pants at all times except when toileting.
- Expect to have a designated toilet area.
- Movement of female dogs in season may be restricted to going to and from classes and toilet area.
- Bring a sturdy crate for your dog; your dog cannot be left unattended in a room with other dogs present.
- Expect that your dog may need to run last in classes.
- Non-working dogs are NOT allowed at camp if in season.
- Dana Crevling/Camp must be notified in advance that you will have a female dog in season at camp.
- Option 2) Bring a different qualified dog working at the same level
- Option 3) Switch to auditor registration and receive a refund for 50% of the difference between the two registration fees
- Option 4) The camper can cancel and be reimbursed per the general policy.
- If a non-working dog comes into season the person must leave the dog home and will be reimbursed the additional dog fee (if applicable) minus a $25 admin fee or if the camper cancels the general refund policy above will apply.
- Campers that have to leave early for their own reasons or are “No-shows” will not receive a refund.
- Participants asked to leave the event/property by the camp director or lead instructors will not be refunded any part of the tuition.
- Reasons for dismissal from camp may include, but are not limited to:
- Dogs that are disruptive to other campers, dogs, the staff, or the facility
- Dogs that exhibit aggression deemed unmanageable/unsafe by the staff for the camp environment
- Dogs that cannot be safely managed and/or trained by their handler
- Unresolved camper conflict or inappropriate behavior
- Health issues, either canine or human, that may impact or endanger other dogs or campers
- Health issues that negatively impact the dog’s emotional, mental or physical well being
- Reasons for dismissal from camp may include, but are not limited to:
- No part of the tuition fee will be refunded if the camp cannot take place or be completed by reason of fire, civil disturbances, an Act of God, public emergency, or any other cause beyond the control of the camp organizers.
Elite Group Campers – refund policy addendum (If applicable)
Campers who have paid a premium for the smaller working groups for dog and handler teams with Elite titles (approximately 5 working dogs vs. 8) are subject to the above refund and cancellation policies as well as the following refund and cancellation restrictions and adjustments if different from the general policy listed above. The adjusted policies are necessary as replacing an Elite camper has the potential to be more difficult and have more impact on the camp due to the nature of the smaller specialized group.
- Elite Groups are subject to a $275 non-refundable, non-transferable cancellation fee. (vs. $200 for regular camp)
- Elite Group Cancellations received 60 days or more before the camp start date will be refunded in full less the $275 non-refundable, non-transferable (neither to another person nor camp, event, seminar), cancellation fee.
- Cancellations received between 60 and 30 days of the camp start date, will be refunded in full less the $275 non-refundable, non-transferable (neither to another person nor camp, event, seminar), cancellation fee ONLY IF Dogs of Course obtains a qualified ELITE working team that meets the replacement qualifications either on our wait list or through Dogs of Course marketing search 30 days before the start of camp. Campers will not be able to locate their own replacements. Campers may refer qualified candidates to Dogs of Course to be placed on the wait list. All replacement campers must come from the camp wait list and be approved by Dogs of Course.
- Qualifications for Elite group replacement are:
- The dog must have an Elite title at the time of registration.
- The team can fit the previously requested housing assignment or an available option (i.e… commuting)
- The team meets the other requirements of being a K9 Nose Work Training Camp camper.
- Cancellations received between 60 and 30 days of the camp start date, will be refunded 50% of the tuition after the $275 non-refundable, non-transferable, cancellation fee is deducted in the event that Dogs of Course makes a reasonable effort to recruit but cannot find a qualified replacement.
- Cancellations received 30 days or fewer before the start of camp will not receive a refund nor be eligible for the replacement option stated above.
- In the event that there are not enough Elite registrations to run the Elite Group 60 days before the start of camp, one of the following options will be offered:
- Dogs of Course will create a smaller or larger working group of teams providing all the campers involved agree to make up the cost equivalent to 5 teams. A smaller group would pay more and a larger group would pay less per dog.
- Alternately, the group will be cancelled and the affected parties can:
- Receive a full refund without penalty or transfer to a regular camp working group of 8 teams that are training at the NW3 level.
- Or run a dog other than the Elite dog at camp and be placed in the appropriate working group.
- Voluntary changes (not due to low enrollment) from an Elite working spot to a regular working spot, IF there is a regular working spot open, or to an auditing/logistics team member spot under the following guidelines, providing Dogs of Course can fill the Elite vacancy or the remaining group members agree to pay the added cost for the vacancy:
- Changes received 60 days or more before the camp start date will be changed for a $25 administrative fee.
- For changes between 60 and 30 days of the camp start date, the camper will receive a refund of 50% of the difference between the two registration fees.
- Voluntary cancellations 30 days or fewer before the start date will not receive a refund.
This policy applies to participants that must withdraw for ANY reason, including but not limited to injury, illness, emergency, and personal or work-related reasons. This policy is without exception.
If you have concerns about the cancellation/refund policy, please consider researching “Trip/Travel Insurance” options independently.
COVID-19
Due to COVID-19 and all the uncertainty that has come with it, we need to let you know several things:
- Our goal is to provide a safe environment where we can all feel comfortable and risk is minimized while still enjoying the camp experience.
- All Campers must be fully vaccinated and show proof of vaccination upon registration. If you have a religious or medical reason for not being vaccinated then we may be able to work with you on getting tested right before camp and possibly during camp as well. Dana would need to talk to anyone that may want an exception.
- PCR testing 5 days prior to traveling to camp is strongly recommended/encouraged. See refund policy.
- Campers should expect to take rapid tests upon arrival at camp and/or during camp.
- All Campers must wear masks for interior searches, and depending on the level of COVID-19 in the area/country, you may be asked to wear masks outdoors as well. Or if things are really good, we may not need masks. Best to plan for them. We will be making decisions based on CDC guidelines and will err on the side of caution.
- By coming to camp, you will agree to cooperate with the rules or regulations set in place with regards to mask wearing, hand sanitizing, food handling, and other protocols.
- You will be asked to sign a COVID-19 waiver before coming to camp, indicating that you have had and are up-to-date on your vaccine including boosters, do not have COVID-19, have not been in contact or exposed to any person with COVID-19.
- Social distancing will be strongly encouraged and/or required in certain situations.
- Non-compliance may result in dismissal from Camp without a refund.
- Campers with COVID may not participate in Camp and will be asked to leave.
COVID Cancellation Policy for Camp 2022:
12/12/21
Due to the ever changing national COVID situation, it is difficult to anticipate what will be happening when camp runs. We have done our best to come up with a refund policy based on current information that is fair for both the camper who may have COVID, the other campers and staff, and Dogs of Course.
- Campers who get COVID within 14 days of the start of Camp or are still symptomatic (other than sense of smell/taste) will be refunded in full minus the non-refundable deposit. Camper must show proof of positive COVID PCR test from a health care provider to be refunded.
- Campers who arrive at Camp and test positive at registration will be refunded as follows:
- Campers who have had a negative PCR test 5 days or less before the start of Camp will be refunded in full minus the non-refundable deposit. Proof of the negative PCR test from a health care provider is required to be refunded at this level.
- Campers who have not had a PCR test 5 days or less before the start of Camp will be refunded tuition minus the non-refundable deposit and an additional $300.
- Campers who get COVID during camp will be refunded on a prorated basis. Each case will be looked at individually.
These policies may change depending on the current COVID information and status. Registered campers will be informed of changes in this policy.
Camp Chen-A-Wanda
355 Camp Road
Thompson, PA 18465
From NJ and NY via the NY State Thruway
NY State Thruway to Exit 16 to Route 17 West. Exit 104 Raceway Road
Take 17B (alongside Monticello Raceway) to Fosterdale
At Fosterdale- go straight ahead, 5 miles to Route 97
Turn Left onto Route 97 for approximately 500 feet
Turn Right into Cochecton and take 371
Continue on Route 371 and pass thru Pleasant Mount and Herrick Center
Go straight ahead into Herrick Center
As you go straight ahead, Route 371 West becomes Route 374 West
In 3 miles you will come to Dimock Corners
Turn Right to CAMP CHEN-A-WANDA (about 2 miles)
From NY and NJ via the George Washington Bridge/Route 80
George Washington Bridge to Route 80 to Route 380 North to Route 81 North
Exit at 206 (old Exit 63) Lenoxville, Elk Mountain Ski Resort
When exiting from highway, go straight at the stop sign
Follow the signs to Elk Mountain Ski Resort by following 374 East
It is about 8.7 miles to Elk Mountain
Go 1.1 miles past Elk Mountain
At the stop sign – head left and continue on 374 East
At the four corner intersection, 374 East turns to the Right. Go straight – Do not turn Right *Camp CHEN-A-WANDA is 2 miles ahead on the Right
From Philadelphia via Pennsylvania Turnpike
Take I-76 W via the ramp to Valley Forge
Take exit 331B to merge onto I-476 N for 115 miles
Take exit onto I-81 N toward Binghamton
Take exit at 206 (old Exit 63) Lenoxville, Elk Mountain Ski Resort
When exiting from hwy, go straight at the stop sign
Follow the signs to Elk Mountain Ski Resort by following 374 East
It is about 8.7 miles to Elk Mountain
Go 1.1 miles past Elk Mountain
At the stop sign – head left and continue on 374 East
At the four corner intersection, 374 East turns to the Right. Go straight – Do not turn Right *Camp CHEN-A-WANDA is 2 miles ahead on the Right
Airports: (times are approximate and will vary based on traffic conditions)
- Newark, NJ – 3 hours
- Newburgh, NY – 2 hours 15 minutes
- JFK, NYC – 3 hours 30 minutes
- LaGuardia, NYC – 3 hours, 10 minutes
- Albany, NY – 2 hours 45 minutes
- Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, PA – 1 hour 15 minutes
Questions? Contact Dana Crevling at Crevling@dogsofcourse.com
Get a feel for what happens at camp by watching these sample slide shows.
2017 Georgia K9 Nose Work Camp Slide Show
2018 Colorado K9 Nose Work Camp Slide Show
“This was our first time at camp. We were blown away with all we learned and experienced. The instructors were a wealth of knowledge and experience. We would definitely attend camp again.” D.S. GA 2017
“…a memorable and enriching experience – from working sessions to lectures to building and maintaining camaraderie!” J.M. GA 2017
“It was, literally, the most stimulating nose work educational experience I’ve ever had…” J.C. OR 2016
“As an ANWI, Camp was invaluable. Being able to watch so many different instructors work with so many teams as students, watching the problems they set up for the teams, seeing how they coached in all different styles… I came away with so much information on how to teach. As a competitor, I now have a new way of looking at my training, new insights into the whole ‘culture’ of the NACSW way of approaching scent work. “Trust your dog”, “It depends”, all mean a lot more to me than before camp. AND – it was so much fun to meet other instructors, competitors and people from all over the world, who just want to explore their bond with their dogs.” M.K.CO 2015
If you have questions about whether you and/or your dog qualify for camp or other concerns, please contact Dana via the email link. Click here to email Dana Crevling