Description
We are sorry, this course is not open for registration yet.
K9 Nose Work® Training Camp
YMCA of the Rockies, Snow Mountain Ranch
Granby, CO
October 4, 2022 – October 9, 2022
Registration is closed! We look forward to seeing you at camp.
Tuition Cost:
Working Spot: Starts at $1,245.00 (early bird price: $1,145.00)
Elite Working Spot: Starts at $2,095.00 (early bird price: $1,995.00)
Auditor Spot: Starts at $700.00 (early bird price: $600.00)
Helpers: Starts at $100.00
(This does not include your lodging and meal costs provided by the YMCA of the Rockies)
Registration ends at 5:00pm ET on August 4, 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:
Tuesday, October 4, 2022 between 3:00pm – 5:00pm.
Campers Leave:
Campers leave on Sunday morning, October 9, 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 2022-07-04, you’ll get $100 OFF the Registration Price!
Location
YMCA of the Rockies Snow Mountain Ranch
Granby, CO
1101 County Road 53
Granby, CO 80446
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 four 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 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.
Kimberly Buchanan, CNWI
A founding member of NACSW™ and one of the founding 7 Certified Nose Work Instructors, Kim has been training since 2007 and competing in K9 Nose Work® since its inception. She and her Belgian Tervuren Oscar were one of the first few teams to title to an NW1 and NW2. She and her Terv Emmy were the first to have earned the challenging NW3 title as well as the first to have earned the NW3 Elite title (= NW3 x 3) in 2011. Kim and Emmy successfully competed in the 2013, 2014 and 2015 National Invitational events. Kim and Emmy earned a 2nd place in the first Elite trial in 2015. Kim qualified both Emmy and her male Tevuren, Zen, for the 2017 National Invitational. Kim ran Zen in 2017 and placed in individual searches as well as 4th place overall.
Kim’s younger dogs are working hard to fill Oscar, Emmy and Zen’s big paw prints. Zen achieved his ELT-CH, Emmy and Cartoon are competing at the NW3 level and Tricks at the NW2 level.
Kim and her dogs have also trained and competed in Schutzhund, French Ring, Dock Diving, Agility, Herding, Tracking and Obedience. They have competed nationally as part of the Purina Incredible Dog Challenge, AKC and USDAA Agility and internationally in the 2011 and 2012 FMBB World Championships of Belgian Shepherds in Belgium and Italy.
Kim is a K9 Nose Work® Trial Judge and Certifying Official (NW1 – Elite). She is currently teaching K9 Nose Work® classes, running on-line education for NW enthusiasts nationally and internationally and hosting other K9NW activities in Southern California through her company, Joyride K9 Dog Training. She is part of the continuing education staff for other instructors and is enthusiastically helping to bring the sport of K9NW to other regions of the US and around the world as Senior Faculty with the National Association of Canine Scent Work, LLC®
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.
Sue Frisch, CNWI
Sue Frisch is a professional dog trainer with 30+ years of experience working with dogs and their owners. After 25 years managing an animal shelter while also running a dog boarding business at her farm and teaching training classes at night, Sue’s expertise includes everything from basic manners training and behavior modification to dog psychology, nutrition, and exercise. Over the years she has worked with hundreds of families and their pet dogs.
Sue’s nose work journey began when she attended a workshop in June of 2010 and she was completely hooked! She enrolled in the NACSW’s CNWI course and completed her Instructors certification in October of 2011 and has been involved ever since. Besides being a regular at many CNWI continuing education workshops and other NACSW seminars around the country, Sue hosts several NACSW sanctioned trials each year, is a Nose Work Camp instructor, NACSW Trial Site Advisor Team Leader and is a NACSW approved Judge as well as a NACSW Supervising Certifying Official currently approved to officiate NW1/NW2/NW3 and Elite Division trials.
Through her business, Your Dog’s Place, LLC, she and her staff help dog owners train dogs of all sizes, ages, and temperaments to be polite four-legged family members, as well as offering all levels of K9 Nose Work® classes, private and group coaching. Her many students have successfully titled their dogs in all levels including the first 2 Collies in the country to earn their Elite Champion Titles!
Sue and her Rottweilers, Sully & Obi compete regularly in the Mid Atlantic/North East Region and reside in Honesdale, PA
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®.
Fred Helfers, CNWI
Fred Helfers started training and handling detection canines in 1982 while working in law enforcement. Fred trained and worked two drug detection canines during his 28 years in law enforcement. Over the past 34 years Fred has expanded his knowledge of detection canines by training canines and handlers in the fields of drug detection, insect detection, natural gas detection and accelerant detection.
Further, for over 20 years Fred operated a professional detection dog training kennel and training facility for police officers, training drug, accelerant, natural gas and insect detection canines and their handlers. Fred’s passion and recognized expertise in training detection canine teams has led him to conduct training seminars and classes throughout United States, Canada, Australia, Sweden and Brazil.
Fred is the past president of the Washington State Police Canine Association and the founding President – President Emeritus of the Pacific Northwest Police Detection Dog Association (pnwk9.org). Fred’s recognized expertise in the training of detection canines and handlers led to Fred being appointed as a founding member of the Scientific Working Group on Dog and Orthogonal Factors (SWGDOG.org) and currently as a member of Organization of Scientific Area Committee (OSAC – Dogs and Sensors Group). Fred has judged numerous detection canine competitions from the World Police and Fire games (Detection Canines) in Vancouver, Canada to the National Invitational K9Nosework® Trials in Santa Rosa, Ca. Over the past 34 years, Fred Helfers has trained literally hundreds of professional canines and their handlers. Along with being recognized as a master trainer in detection canines Fred is recognized as a judge, certifying official for ORT and Certified Nose Work Instructor (CNWI) for NACSW in the USA and also ACSW in Australia.
Fred has authored “The Nose Work Handler Journal”, Olfaction and Odour Manual and most recently “The Nose Work Handler”.
Chris Mason, CNWI
Chris Mason is a Certified Nose Work Instructor with the National Association of Canine Scent Work (NACSW) and is on the K9 Nose Work® Education Team as a member of the CNWI Manual Task Force.
She has been training her own dogs since 1989 (obedience, agility, flyball, show ring), and training and competing with K9 Nose Work® dogs since 2008. Chris and her dog GoGo were the first team with a Bull Terrier to achieve the Elite Level in K9 Nose Work® competition. GoGo eventually achieved ELT2 before retiring from competition. Chris is currently handling Badger at Elite as well as starting her new youngster, Pixie.
Chris’s focus within the sport of K9 Nose Work® is working with breeds and types of dogs not always associated with canine performance sports – stubborn bull breeds, creative terrier types, and independent hounds. She has developed a unique set of tools, skills, and exercises for success with Nose Work dogs with their own agendas. She is also very active in developing a curriculum for working with puppies and young dogs to build a strong foundation for a later career in K9 Nose Work®.
Chris was a professional horse trainer and riding instructor for over 30 years, instructing and competing in equestrian sports and teaching people how to better understand their animals. She started riding at age 5 and competed in show jumping and dressage through her 20s. After moving to the east coast, she ran a combined-training competition barn in Maryland and finished her career specializing in dressage. In 2000, Chris retired from equestrian sport and moved back to her home state of California.
Chris also volunteered as a zoo keeper for several years at the Los Angeles Zoo, where she worked with birds, rhinoceroses, elephants, tapirs, and various other exotic animals. The only thing she loves doing as much as working with animals is teaching people to work with animals.
Chris lives in Los Angeles, California with her husband and two Bull Terriers.
Lauralea Oliver, CNWI, CPDT-KA, BFA
Lauralea has been working with dogs professionally since 2001. Her experience encompasses work with dogs in many environments and disciplines including animal shelters, working dogs, companion dogs and service dogs. Currently, she is the lead wildlife detection dog trainer and handler for Great Basin Bird Observatory and the wildlife detection dog training consultant for H.T. Harvey & Associates. She is a contributor on project reports and scientific publications and is an international speaker about the role of canines in ecology and conservation.
In addition to her ecological work, Lauralea owns and operates a professional dog training business k9inSCENTive, LLC in Southern California. Her business has provided private and group behavior consultations, dog training and K9 Nose Work classes since 2004. Lauralea also provides detection dog services, working dog evaluations and dog training services for scent detection canines for multiple entities including private and government environmental agencies, law enforcement, private security, pest control companies and service dog organizations. She is also a Certifying Official and Trial Judge.
As an active member of the National Association of Canine Scent Work, Lauralea is an Elite competitor. As a competitor, she has titled three of her personal dogs in multiple trials. She and her Belgian Malinois, Mayhem, continue to trial and have earned their Elite 1 and a HIT placement at NW3. She is currently bringing up her next two Nose Work dogs. Vector the Inspector, a Dutch shepherd famous for his love of avocados, recently began trialing and so far has earned his NW1 Title. Dash, a Belgian Malinois, recently earned his NW2 Title and took Third Place Overall at his trial.
Kathy Pierce, ANWI
Kathy grew up in a dog show family and has been training dogs all of her life. Her mom showed in conformation, obedience & agility and Kathy followed completely in her footsteps. While still working as an engineer at the phone company, Kathy began trialing on the weekends in agility, hunting, obedience, rally, dock diving, etc. Then when she retired, she jumped whole heartedly into ALL the sports!
Always looking for new venues, Kathy took a K9 Nose Work Intro class with Taz, one of her springers who wasn’t thrilled with agility at the time. And they were sold on it! Taz became the first springer to earn an ELT-CH. Kathy became a NACSW trial coordinator, a NACSW Certifying Official, and continued to work on becoming a CNWI. Kathy lives in the Atlanta area with her husband, Woody. She has been teaching weekly Nose Work classes for many many years while also traveling all over the country trialing and CO’ing. Kathy has hosted MANY NACSW trials in the Atlanta area and has plans for LOTS more!
Currently trialing two elite dogs, two NW3 dogs, and one baby dog about to head to her ORTs, Kathy stays BUSY. Her two summit dogs are officially retired and now over the rainbow. Taz & Pix were the first two springers to achieve ELT-CH in the county.
Barbara Schwerdt, BA, CNWI, CPDT-KA
Barbara and her German Shepherd Landis (R.I.P.) were involved in K9 Nose Work since 2008. At the first sanctioned NW1 trial they earned “The Harry Award”, which is given to the most outstanding rescue dog that demonstrates extraordinary ability and spirit in nose work. They received a “Pronounced” designation for each of the three title levels: NW1, NW2, and NW3. Barbara and Landis were the 3rd team in the country to earn an NW3 Elite title. They qualified for the first four National Invitational events and competed in the first three, placing 2nd, 5th, and 12th. He earned his Elite 2 title before retiring. Landis was also part of the United States Naval Research Laboratory’s Odor Discrimination Study.
Barbara and her next K9 Nose Work partner, “Cassandra Sue (Cassie)”, a Labrador Retriever/Border Collie mix, have been working together since July 2015. After spending nearly a year on “primary” in literally dozens of locations, Cassie is now competing at the Elite level, having just earned her 3rd NW3 Title. Cassie has also earned her L1I, L2I, L1C and L2C.
Currently, Barbara and her newest K9 Nose Work partner, a German Shepherd named Renner, have been working together since February 2022. A firm believer in building a strong foundation, Barbara is keeping Renner on “primary” for a while longer before introducing odor.
In addition to her role of Trial Judge and retired Certifying Official, Barbara also serves the organization as a Senior Faculty member. Barbara has been instrumental in curriculum development and education of new nose work instructors, as well as continuing education for certified instructors. In partnership with Dogs of Course, she has been a K9 Camp Instructor since the very first camp in Pennsylvania in 2010. Barbara has been invited to speak, coach, and teach seminars throughout the United States and on the east coast of Australia. Seminar topics include Trial Prep for NW1, NW2, and NW3, Converging Odor, Inaccessible Hides, Problem Solving, and the ever-popular Hide Placement. She teaches weekly K9 nose work classes for students at the NW3, Elite, and Summit levels.
By day Barbara is a full-time corporate trainer where she has been since 1990. She holds the position of Director of Education and Training for a not-for-profit property management company that serves low to moderate income senior citizens, families, and the chronically-mentally ill. She holds a BA degree in Deaf Studies with a minor in Gerontology from California State University, Northridge. She worked as a nationally certified sign-language interpreter for nearly 20 years.
She shares her dog training company, Amante’ Dog Training, with her husband’s dog-walking and pet sitting business Safe at Home Pet Care. Barbara is a professional member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT), a certified member of the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT), The National Association of Canine Scent Work (NACSW), the Association for Talent Development (ATD), the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS), Pet Sitter’s International (PSI), AIDS LifeCycle Training Ride Leaders, and Shifting Gears Cycling Club. She and her husband have fostered numerous guide dog puppies in training, primarily German Shepherds, ensuring appropriate house-manners are part of the skills they learn.
She has been an avid distance cyclist since 2011 and has raised nearly $50,000 for AIDS LifeCycle, a non-profit organization in California which provides much needed services to those infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS.
Barbara is grateful to share her life with her long-time husband, Gerry, a house cat named Parker, their little black Labrador Cassandra Sue, and newest member Renner, German Shepherd Dog.
Silke Wittig CNWI, CPDT-KSA
Silke was introduced to K9 Nose Work® in 2010 and became one of first two CNWI™ in PA in 2011. In addition to instructing group classes, private sessions and coaching clinics, Silke has hosted multiple NACSW™-sanctioned ORTs, trials and workshops. She has taught at multiple K9NW camps hosted by Dogs of Course, and is also a webinar presenter for the K9 Nose Work® Education Division.
Silke is a Supervising Certifying Official and Judge for NACSW™-approved trials and ORTs, and is involved in various admin projects for the NACSW and K9 Nose Work®.
Silke loves to work on all aspects of this great dog sport while making sure that both ends of the leash have fun in a safe environment! She has a soft spot for shelter dogs and introduced K9NW to several local shelters, two of which have now included it in their regular canine enrichment program.
Silke is also a certified professional dog trainer and behavior consultant and has been running HeRo Canine Consulting LLC, a successful dog training and behavior consulting business since 2006.
She currently competes with her 7-year-old Pit Bull Snap in NACSW™ nose work competitions and is an avid K9NW lover.
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Dana Zinn, CNWI, CPDT-KA
Dana Zinn has been working with and training dogs since 1999. Her many years of dog training experience include working at the spcaLA as an Animal Behavior & Training Specialist. It was the time working with dogs in the shelter that drew her to the sport of K9 Nose Work®; not only for her own dogs, but for the many dogs in need of a “job” to do.
Dana was involved in the first publicly offered Nose Work class in Long Beach, CA. She not only participated but eventually assisted in instruction. From there Dana became involved in the development of the K9 Nose Work® instructor certification program. Dana was one of the first participants to be certified as an instructor for the K9 Nose Work® curriculum approved by the National Association of Canine Scent Work, LLC.
Today, her many jobs with NACSW include certifying official, supervising certifying officlal, and trial judge. She is also thrilled to be a part of education committee helping to train new certifying officials joining the organization.
Her learning never stops as she continues to teach classes, instruct at camps, compete in trials, create webinars, and teach workshops. One of her proudest moments was placing first in the 2014 NACSW National Invitational.
Dana has participated in a variety of canine activities such as obedience, herding, agility and of course Nose Work. Dana moved from California with her family to Golden, Colorado in 2008 and brought the sport of K9 Nose Work® with her. She hosted the first trials in Colorado and has absolutely loved watching nose work flourish there. Dana is honored to be a part of the amazing community that has grown around the game and sport in Colorado and surrounding areas.
Dana strives to increase her knowledge about canine behavior and instruction. She has attended and helped coordinate many seminars featuring some of the world’s most sought-after speakers. One of her most memorable educational experiences was working with and learning from the renowned dog behavior expert and trainer John Rogerson. She has traveled to England and Washington state to work with and assist him on many courses including his 21-day Instructors’ Course.
Dana is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers and a member of the Colorado Trainers’ Networking Group. Dana was certified as a professional dog training in 2005 by the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT).
Dana currently shares her life with her wonderful husband Ken, two beautiful children Jessica & Ben, and her two Labrador Retrievers, Winnie and Sunny.
Tim Lewis, Ph.D. - Guest Lecturer
Tim Lewis earned a PhD in Wildlife Ecology and approaches canine research through the lens of an ecologist. He is an award-winning teacher and a Professor of Biology at the University of St Thomas in St Paul, Minnesota. His research ranges widely over many species including: wolves, bears, deer, squirrels, turtles, and domestic dogs. He has presented findings of his research in scientific journals, at conferences, and as an invited speaker for over twenty years.
His collaborative work with the Canine Sociability Initiative combines his expertise with award-winning animal behaviorist Sue Sternberg and is focused on understanding the biology of canine sociability and recognizing it quickly in dog/human encounter. He also researches canine vision for applications in dog handling and canine sports. While he does not do Nose Work himself (yet), his wife is a student of the sport and, of course, he has heard much about it from Sue Sternberg.
Tim recently published Biology of Dogs: From Gonads through Guts to Ganglia, available in English and now in German. Two Border Collies allow him to cohabitate in their home.
Sarah McIntosh, CNWI, CTP-KPA - Guest Instructor
Sarah began her Nose Work experience 7 years ago when she adopted a Double Merle Cattle Dog named Journey. Journey is deaf and blind. Journey was only 2 years old when she was adopted. She was and still is very active, super smart and needed a job. She started with anIntroduction to K9 Nose Work and Journey loved it. Sarah was hooked!
Journey was the catalyst for Sarah’s interest in dog training and Nose Work. Sarah is a Karen Pryor Certified Training Partner and volunteers with Humane Society of Boulder Valley doing behavior modification with the shelter dogs and cats. Sarah uses Nose Work as part of the behavior modification to help with the shelter dogs that are stressed, bored or just need to have some fun. She has also done Nose Work with some cats.
She has 5 dogs of her own. Journey – retired NACSW Nose Work, Roo – retired 15 yo Cattle Dog, Nikki – retired 16 yo American Eskimo, Gracie – 5 yo Border Collie mix (just getting on odor) and Foster – 2 yo Border Collie who is on primary, All of them have fun with some level of Nose Work.
Sarah owns and operates Journey Nose Work, LLC and teaches nose work to her students several days a week. She specializes in dogs with disabilities, dogs that are shy / fearful and dogs that are just out of control! And, she also has many clients that have sport dogs that compete in Nose Work, AKC Scent Work and other events.
Sarah is a Certified Nose Work Instructor, Certifying Official for NACSW and a Judge. Sarah lives in Fort Collins, Colorado.
Megan Wallace, CNWI, B.S., CCUI - Guest Instructor
Megan started training her two Border Collies in Nose Work in 2010, when a trainer friend suggested it would be a good activity for reactive dogs. Ever since she’s been hooked! She started trialing when those two dogs were seniors, and was able to get some level 1 titles on both of them before they passed. She currently has three dogs trialing in Nose Work, a 10 year old Ridgeback, Fawkes NW3, a 5 year old Border Collie, Lucy NW2, and 2 year old Border Collie, Han Solo ORT.
She started teaching Nose Work classes as soon as she opened her training business in 2013, and became a CNWI in 2017. She now co-owns a training facility, NoCo Unleashed, with her good friend and training partner, Victoria Kander. Together they teach 6-10 Nose Work classes a week, and host training events, and in early 2022 they hosted their first of many trials!
This year, Megan also began her Certifying Official training, starting her hands-on training this fall. She is so excited to guest instruct at camp, as she has attended every Colorado Nose Work camp so far!
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 – FULL. Sign up for the wait list at the bottom of the page.
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 – FULL. Sign up for the wait list at the bottom of the page.
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 and have the option to work their dog in four special training sessions. Logistics Team Members play a critical role in making camp run smoothly. They help set up camp (arrive early), 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 some heavy lifting and the ability to walk on uneven terrain, work in all types of weather and drive your vehicle around the camp. Camp is at 8,000 ft above sea level so the physical impact on stamina and exercising should be taken into consideration before applying.
Colorado camp is different from our other locations as campers generally drive their dogs to the search areas and work out of their vehicles so the L-Team members do not have to move all the crates each day. L-Team Members should have their own vehicle to get to assignments. If you are traveling with another camper who also needs the vehicle please contact Bonnie or Dana to discuss if we can find you a ride around camp.
Please contact Bonnie for an information packet to help you decide if this is a job for you.
Family Members & Friends:
Adult family and friends, not interested in attending camp, are welcome to stay in your lodge room and vacation at the Ranch or off property during camp classes. They are welcome to eat meals with the group and participate in any social activities. They are not permitted to attend educational activities or watch training classes. If a family member or friend wants to participate then he/she would be considered an auditor. When you make your Indian Peaks Lodging reservation your family/friend camp meals will be included in the fee. If you are a commuter, then your family/friend will have to pay additional fees for meals and day pass rates. Contact Dana if you have questions on this.
We are sorry that we cannot accommodate children under 18 years of age due to liability concerns.
Please let Dana at Dogs of Course know if you will be coming with a vacationing family member or friend so we can plan ahead.
Campers must be at least 18 years old.
All campers must be in good physical condition and able to walk to search areas on uneven ground from the parking areas. The property is large, and the housing is generally driving distance from the search areas. Expect that driving from one end of camp to another will take 10 minutes. Some roads will be dirt and may be uneven and have potholes.
Campers who are staying in lodge rooms and are expected to treat the rooms with respect. No bathing or grooming dogs in the rooms.
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 or have in your vehicle. We suggest your working crate be light weight and easy to carry. A small dolly or a crate cart may be helpful for unloading or moving supplies etc..
YMCA of the Rockies is a restricted smoking facility. All smoking must be done in designated open areas and never inside a building, structure, or in a grassy or wooded area. Inappropriate smoking could easily cause a forest fire in this environment. 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 are pleased to offer a unique deluxe camp experience for Nose Work enthusiasts at our Colorado location. Unlike our other camps where the participants “rough it,” this location boasts of climate controlled hotel style housing at Indian Peaks Lodge and extra amenities offered by the resort. Due to the requirements of this wonderful facility, the fee structure for camp will be in two parts – the cost of the 4-day K9 Nose Work Training Camp and, separately, the lodging that includes your meals and facility conference fees.
YMCA of the Rockies Snow Mountain Ranch
Located in Colorado near Winter Park, Rocky Mountain National Park and Grand Lake, Snow Mountain Ranch sits at 8,000 feet above sea level on 5,000 acres. This year-round family resort has many activities for campers after hours or for the family member that wants to come for vacation. Activities include: swimming, mini-golf, arts and crafts, library, yoga, hiking, horseback riding, and a zip line along with much, much more. Located two hours from the Denver Airport and a short drive into town for supplies, Snow Mountain Ranch is a great location for those driving or flying. All Campers will need a vehicle/to share a vehicle to get around Camp. If you share a vehicle with another camper you should expect that one of you may need to be dropped off at one area while the other goes to a different area.
Indian Peaks Lodge
Our camp headquarters, lecture space, and all our lodging will be in this recently renovated 79 room lodge. The lodge is conveniently located within walking distance to dining as well as to some of our search areas. Guests will marvel at the beautiful view of the valley below and Continental Divide from their balcony or porch. Each room has two queen beds, a sofa, a private bathroom, wireless internet, a mini fridge and microwave. Rooms do not have televisions, radios, telephones or clocks. There is a television and a coffee station in the lobby of the lodge.
The YMCA is making an exception to their rules by allowing us to have dogs at the lodge. There will be a one time fee of $75 per dog. Campers are also encouraged to please leave a tip in their rooms for the cleaning staff that count on your generosity. We have assured the resort that our campers will be responsible and thoughtful guests. So please clean up no matter where your dog toilets (including the fields and woods) and no bathing dogs in the rooms.
Occupancy Limits:
For our group, Indian Peaks Lodge has a limit of 3 adults and 3 dogs per room, no exceptions. Please keep this in mind if you are sharing a room with another camper. We suggest one or two adults and two dogs per room for your comfort.
Lodging Limitations:
This lodge is lovely but does have some features you need to be aware of. To get to the upper floor rooms there are only open stairs(see photo). Inside is carpeted and outside is steel mesh steps. Dogs need to be able to negotiate this type of stairs that do not have a solid riser. The hallways to the rooms are long and narrow – only 3.5 feet wide – so campers must be prepared to pass other dogs in the hallways without incident. Due to the configuration of the housing and the fact that other guest families (the public) will be sharing the resort, we are asking that only mildly reactive working dogs live in the lodge. We cannot accept non-working dogs that are reactive at this location as there is too much potential for barking and arousal. All dogs will be mixed in together like other hotel/motel experiences. Please see dog policies for more information on what dogs are appropriate for this camp.
Rooming assignments cannot be guaranteed either by the resort or Dogs of Course. They will be assigned by need and first come reservations by the facility. All campers must be willing to have second floor rooms. We ask that auditors (not rooming with a working team) be willing to live on the second floor so more dogs can be on the first floor.
IMPORTANT PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
All campers must be in good physical condition, be able to climb a flight of stairs multiple times a day, and walk up to 10 minutes on uneven ground and dirt or paved roads to the activities and meals. This is a sprawling facility with some hilly terrain. Campers will be able to drive personal vehicles to get close to many of the work areas but this cannot be relied upon. Parking availability for some search areas will dictate parking your vehicle and walking the rest of the way. Weather may also impact the driving vs. walking options.
The facility is at 8,000 feet above sea level. For campers not used to high altitudes, we strongly suggest checking in at the resort a day or two before camp to help your body acclimate. (* Campers that check in to the lodge a couple days early for acclimation purposes must plan to share the lodge with the general public.) There are plenty of non-aerobic activities to keep you busy at the resort. Some people do get altitude sickness that can include headaches, fatigue, and shortness of breath. Drinking LOTS of water and taking it easy for the first couple days will help the body adjust. Please contact your physician if there are any concerns.
Getting Around Camp:
Campers will need a vehicle or be able to ride with another camper to get to most of the search areas. At this camp, we are not offering the crate transportation system that we have at our “walking” camps. This is a large driving facility and is not conducive to this service. If you share a vehicle with another camper you should expect that one of you may need to be dropped off at one area while the other goes to a different area.
Please see the “Tuition, Lodging and Other Camp Options and Fees” Section below for details about housing options that are still open.
Making Lodging Reservations at the Indian Peaks Lodge:
The Snow Mountain Ranch is supplying us with a special on-line registration link.
We suggest one or two adults and two dogs per room for your comfort. The maximum is three dogs and three adults, no exceptions for our group. The Ranch does allow up to six people in a room for their youth programs, retreats, etc.. you will see this on the website. However, this does not apply to our group.
Your lodging cost includes all meals and resort/conference fees:
Single room with meals – approximately $148/night, plus tax, depending on length of stay
Double occupancy with meals – approximately $95/night/person ($187 per room), plus tax, depending on length of stay
Triple occupancy with meals – approximately $75/night/person ($225 per room), plus tax, depending on length of stay
Dog fee, per dog, per stay – $75 (charged when you register for your room)
If you would like to vacation at the Lodge beyond the dates of the K9 Nose Work Camp, please make your reservation on-line first for the dates of Camp by clicking on the link below. Then please call Central Reservations at (888) 613-9622 to add the additional nights to your existing reservation. Please have your reservation number handy.
After you have registered for camp, click HERE to make your lodging reservations.
If you cannot get a room at Indian Peaks, we have added overflow lodging at Aspenbrook Lodge, which is about a 5 minute walk to the Indian Peaks Lodge where most of the camp activities will take place. Please contact Dana if there are no rooms available at all in either Lodge, and she will contact the YMCA about having more rooms added to our block.
If you have any questions, please contact the Central Reservations Office at (888) 613-9622, and refer to the group name – K9 Nose Work Camp 2022
Commuters and other housing at the YMCA:
Anyone that is not staying at the Indian Peaks Lodge for a minimum of four nights in considered a commuter. This includes other housing options at the YMCA. Commuters pay higher tuition for camp that will cover 14 meals, day passes, and the facility conference fees that are normally part of the lodging costs. Commuters’ dogs will be crated in their handlers’ vehicles during non-working sessions.
An RV is anything bigger than a conversion van. RV Camping will not be available at this Camp. Campers may NOT live in their RV/Car/Truck. People staying in the Lodge, but traveling to camp in their RV, may park it. Commuter campers may park in the Indian Peaks Lodge parking lot. RVs would need to remain parked in one location, so campers would still need a regular vehicle to get around camp and to the search areas. A local rental car or sharing with a friend with the same level dog is an option for getting around to search areas. Campers MUST tell Dana if they plan to have an RV with them and let her know how you plan to get to search areas.
Additional non-working dog fees also apply to people staying in RV’s. Two dogs per registered working camper.
Contact Dana to discuss your RV plans.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be served in the dining hall at designated times starting with dinner when you arrive and ending with breakfast on move out day. All campers must be on the three meal a day plan that is part of the lodging fee. Campers not staying at Indian Peaks Lodge will pay an additional fee in the camp tuition to cover these costs. The menu will consist of simple filling food for omnivores as well as vegetarians. The YMCA of the Rockies does have some gluten free options but we suggest that anyone with dietary restrictions bring extra food to supplement meals as needed. There is a grocery store about 10 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.
- Social Skills:
K9 Nose Work® Training Camps welcome dogs with a variety of social skills and needs. For the YMCA of the Rockies, Snow Mountain Lodge Camp location, ONLY working dogs with mild dog to dog reactivity that can be safely and comfortably managed in a stressful environment for multiple days and in close living and searching quarters are allowed. The Lodge has narrow corridors and your dog must be controllable when in sight of other dogs it may encounter. Reactive dogs will be housed among the other dogs in the lodge. We will accept approximately 20 mildly dog reactive working dogs.We do not have exclusive use of the resort. This means that the general public, including children, may share space with our group.Non-working dogs must be friendly due to our lodging/housing situation.Dogs with human reactivity/aggression at any level cannot attend this camp.
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 Education Day in 2022.
We are working on having a local vendor-driven camp store, with fun Nose Work related items, for you and your dog. If you would like to sell items at Colorado Camp, please contact Dana before September 1, 2022 to discuss. Dogs of Course may bring some items if possible.
The shopping opportunities will be at designated times during free time/non-class time.
So far we have the following vendors:
Beggin’ 4 Fun – nose/scent work items and custom embroidery
Dogs of Course – I expect we will have a few items that are easy to fly in Dana’s luggage.
Cash and checks are always strongly encouraged. Bring multiple checks in case there are multiple vendors. Credit card payment may be limited due to WiFi conductivity or vendor preference.
At Dogs of Course events, we have a tradition of helping those less fortunate. To date, Dogs of Course has facilitated $444,000.00 in charitable donations! Most often the recipient is a dog-related charity or of humanitarian interest. The recipient of this year’s raffle, and how to participate, will be announced in the final camper preparation letter.
We hope campers will support the charity by either donating a new item or participating in the raffle/auction.
Donations are by cash and checks only. Campers may write a check directly to the charity for a tax write-off.
NACSW™
10 CEUs
CCPDT
11 CEUs for CPDT-KA/KSA
1 CEU for CBCC-KA/KSA
IAABC
25 CEUs for working spots
10 CEUs for auditors
KPA-CTP
30 CEUs for working spots
24 CEUs for auditors
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. We expect it will be Marcella Winslow!
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, inside demonstration/lecture areas, in the common areas and halls of the Indian Peaks Lodge, and in the dining hall when not eating or drinking etc. 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 wearing 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 by Dogs of Course 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 CO Camp 2022:
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
Registration is closed! We look forward to seeing you at camp.
Camp tuition covers all classes and activities. Lodging and meals are with the YMCA and separate.
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 if we cant get more rooms from the YMCA.
Anyone who is not staying at the Indian Peaks Lodge for a minimum of four (4) nights is considered a commuter; this includes any other housing on the YMCA of the Rockies property. 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 (not including housing at Indian Peaks Lodge) | before or on 7-4-2022 | after 7-4-2022 |
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Working Spot – YMCA Indian Peaks Lodge Housing – FULL. Sign up for the wait list at the bottom of the page. Working spot in 8 person group for campers staying at the Indian Peaks Lodge (NW camp reserved housing). Remember to make your lodging reservations within 5 days of registering for camp. | $1,145 | $1,245 |
Working Spot Elite – YMCA Indian Peaks Lodge Housing – FULL. Sign up for the wait list at the bottom of the page. Includes extra $850 for 5 person group vs. 8. Elite group working spot for campers staying at the Indian Peaks Lodge (NW camp reserved housing). Remember to make your lodging reservations within 5 days of registering for camp. | $1,995 | $2,095 |
Auditor Spot – YMCA Indian Peaks Lodge Housing Auditor spot for campers staying at the Indian Peaks Lodge (NW camp reserved housing). Remember to make your lodging reservations within 5 days of registering for camp. | $600 | $700 |
Helper – YMCA Indian Peaks Lodge Housing Logistics Team Members staying at the Indian Peaks Lodge (NW camp reserved housing). Includes 4 special working classes for your dog. Remember to make your lodging reservations within 5 days of registering for camp. Arrival 1 day before campers. Register only if you’ve been approved/accepted. Email Bonnie for information. | $100 | $100 |
Room/Accommodation and Commuter Options | ||
YMCA Indian Peaks Lodge Housing – FULL. Sign up for the wait list at the bottom of the page. For anyone staying at the Indian Peaks Lodge (NW camp reserved housing). Remember to make your lodging reservations within 5 days of registering for camp. | +$0 | +$0 |
Working Spot – Commuters and Other YMCA of the Rockies Lodging – FULL. Sign up for the wait list at the bottom of the page. Anyone who is staying in any other housing at the YMCA of the Rockies that is not designated for our group (Indian Peaks Lodge is the only lodging designated for Camp) or staying off-site (commuting). The additional fee will cover camp meals, day pass, and the conference fees. | +$350 | +$350 |
Elite Working Spot – Commuters and Other YMCA of the Rockies Lodging – FULL. Sign up for the wait list at the bottom of the page. Anyone who is staying in any other housing at the YMCA of the Rockies that is not designated for our group (Indian Peaks Lodge is the only lodging designated for Camp) or staying off-site (commuting). The additional fee will cover camp meals, day pass, and the conference fees. | +$350 | +$350 |
Auditor – Commuters and Other YMCA of the Rockies Lodging Anyone who is staying in any other housing at the YMCA of the Rockies that is not designated for our group (Indian Peaks Lodge is the only lodging designated for Camp) or staying off-site (commuting). The additional fee will cover camp meals, day pass, and the conference fees. | +$350 | +$350 |
Helper – Commuters and Other YMCA of the Rockies Lodging Anyone who is staying in any other housing at the YMCA of the Rockies that is not designated for our group (Indian Peaks Lodge is the only lodging designated for Camp) or staying off-site (commuting). The additional fee will cover camp meals, day pass, and the conference fees. | +$425 | +$425 |
RV Housing Not available at this camp. See RV policy for this camp. | N/A | N/A |
Additional Options | ||
You may bring up to two dogs to camp without an extra charge. One additional dog (total of three dogs) Only for working participants; auditors cannot bring dogs. | $90 | $90 |
You may bring up to two dogs to camp without an extra charge. 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 will limit housing options or your ability to be a camper. | ||
Linen Service Linens are included in your lodging fee. | N/A | N/A |
Cleaning Fee $75/dog/stay Dog cleaning fee will added to your YMCA of the Rockies lodging bill. | YMCA will add to your bill | YMCA will add to your bill |
Registration ends at 5:00pm ET on August 4, 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 – July 4, 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
- If you made reservations to stay at YMCA of the Rockies, remember to contact the Central Reservations Office at (888) 613-9622 to cancel your room. Lodging cancellations are handled by YMCA of the Rockies and not through Dogs of Course
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.
Other Refund Related Policies
- 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, inside demonstration/lecture areas, in the common areas and halls of the Indian Peaks Lodge, and in the dining hall when not eating or drinking etc. 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 wearing 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:
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.
YMCA of the Rockies Snow Mountain Ranch
1101 County Road 53
Granby, CO 80446
800-777-9622
From Denver International Airport (Drive time: 1.5 – 2 hours)
Driving Directions to Snow Mountain Ranch from Denver International Airport:
•Follow Pena Blvd towards I-70 follow for 9.8 miles then merge onto I-70 West.
•Take 1-70 West 52.5 miles to Exit #232 (US 40 to Empire/Granby)
•Travel over Berthoud Pass and through the town of Winter Park approx 45 miles.
•Snow Mountain Ranch’s entrance is 12 miles past Winter Park on the left (west) side of the US 40.
•Follow the road approximately 1 mile and check in at the Administration Building on your left.
For current weather and road conditions, please check: IsBerthoudPassOpen.com and CO Trip
Airport: Denver International Airport
Vehicle Rentals: If you are flying and renting a vehicle, you should consider an SUV/4 wheel drive vehicle. There can be snow in October and the mountain passes are more safely navigated with the proper vehicle.
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
Registration is closed! We look forward to seeing you at camp.