Sniffing in Strawberry
Are you ready to take your nose work skills to the next level? Join us for an unforgettable Nose Work Camp in the stunning setting of Strawberry, Arizona! This camp is designed for both ends of the leash, focusing on building stronger communication, enhancing teamwork, and refining your scent work skills.
In addition to the intense training, our afternoons are laid-back with optional activities like canine massage, fitness, and tricks classes—perfect for relaxing and bonding with your dog.
Meals are provided, so you can focus on your training, and you’ll have the option to stay on-site in cozy cabins or choose nearby accommodations while attending daily sessions.
Don't miss this opportunity to elevate your training and create a stronger bond with your dog in a breathtaking location. Spots are limited—reserve your spot today and join us for an experience you’ll never forget!
Here is an AI image of what I imagine our camp will be (but... only 1 dog working at a time and maybe a little more exciting than "just" boxes... and what's with the double lines!?):
When:
Arrive: Monday, August 25, 2025 between 4pm and 5pm
Registration, waivers, and pick up your goodie bags!
Leave: Thursday, August 28th at 10:00am
Where:
Camp will be held at Cabins on Strawberry Hill, Located in Strawberry, AZ. Strawberry is located 2 hours NE from Phoenix, along the SR87, 30 minutes from Payson, AZ.
The site has 14 cabins, each with 2 rooms (2 campers per cabin). See details below for more information.
Check out the site: https://www.azcabins.com/
5306 N. Highway 87, Strawberry, AZ 85544
Who:
Your instructors share a unified belief that not all sniffing teams are the same and that there is more than one way to teach and learn detection sports. They all excel in their own ways and bring to camp their excellent observational skills to help each team move from awareness to excellence.
Aleks Woodroffe
Aleks is a competitor, AKC and ASCA Scent Work Judge, and NACSW Certifying Official. She teaches nosework in the Phoenix area, as well as online and across the USA in seminars. Her experience in odor theory and observation, as well as recognizing team strengths, has helped her students excel in the sport with placements and JOY!
She currently competes with her Flat Coated Retrievers at the NACSW Summit and Elite levels, as well as AKC Detective and Master levels.
Josie LeBalch
Josie is a CNWI in the Los Angeles area since 2008 and an AKC Scent work judge since 2019.
Josie has dabbled in Rally and Obedience, as well as showing in conformation with her Golden and Flat Coated Retriever. Josie has an excellent eye for hide placement, recognizing the power of well placed hides to develop strong skills in the dog and the handler.
She currently competes with her Retrievers at the NACSW Summit and Elite levels, as well as AKC Detective and Master levels.
Natalie McManus
Natalie is a CNWI, NACSW CO, NACSW judge, USCSS judge and CSD, & AKC SW Judge. She has taught at GA, CO, and PA NACSW camps, as well as has students in person and online across the country.
Natalie has a wide knowledge of different breeds in the sport, teaching for over 13 years.
She currently competes with her Malinois at the NACSW Summit level and is bringing up a young Malinois to also compete in nose work as well as other sports.
Camp Details:
Camp Numbers
Groups working in each session are limited to a maximum of 11-12 and will be separated by the dog’s experience level. Although we are aiming to provide much needed focus for Summit, Detective, and Elite teams, we welcome all teams that are currently competing!
A maximum of 34 campers.
Food
Lunches and dinners will be prepared onsite by camp staff. You can expect:
Monday - Dinner
Tuesday - Lunch & Dinner
Wednesday - Lunch & Dinner
Breakfasts will be on your own, but we will have snacks available. While we will have water and some beverages available, please plan to bring your own "fancy" beverages for Sip & Sniff in the evening.
Accommodations (<-- click to see website info)
Lodging is available onsite through shared cabins. The main floor has one bedroom and bath (shared), and the upstairs is an open loft bedroom. Each cabin has a small kitchenette, as well as the basic necessities are provided (linens, towels, tissue, soap, etc).
There is ONE parking spot next to each cabin, plus plenty of additional parking nearby on either side of the property. Dogs are expected to be crated when not being actively watched - inside your cabin or in your vehicle (if safe temps).
Costs
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CAMP (lodging ONSITE) - $1100 (Early Bird: $950 until May 15th) - Limit - 24
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CAMP (offsite lodging) - $950 (Early Bird: $750 until May 15th) - Limit 10
A non-refundable deposit of $250 is due within 3 days of registration.
Full payment is due by July 30th, 2025.
Fine Print
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Additional dogs - not working. Case by case situation. Contact Aleks if you would like to discuss. Non-working dogs must be content on their own and will not bother/affect other campers. If any issues arise from additional dogs, you will be asked to leave with no refund.
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The facility is non-smoking (cigarette and e-cig).
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Dogs are worked one at a time and any dogs not working must be able to be quietly waiting their turn either in a crate, vehicle (if nearby), or out of sight. Please plan on bringing a crate for your dog when not working.
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Females in season are permitted to attend but must wear panties anytime not actively being asked to potty. They will run at the end of each session. Please notify camp hosts prior to arriving if your dog is in season.
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Dogs must be healthy and free of contagious illnesses. You will need to sign a waiver to attest to this when you arrive at camp. If your dog is found to be ill after arrival, there is no refund.
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Dogs should be able to be in the presence of other dogs and humans. We can accommodate some distance between teams, but due to the camp environment, highly reactive or aggressive dogs will not be comfortable.
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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 this is the case.
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Dogs should remain on leash unless otherwise noted.
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Lodging will be assigned to spread out as much as possible. Campers that know each other and indicate in their registration to be lodged together will be.
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Video – You may video your own dog running, but please do not video any general instruction or class. You may share small pieces of video (no longer than 1 minute) on social media, but full video cannot be posted on YouTube, social media, or other sharing platforms. Your video is for your own reference only. There will be some searches that will be recorded by Successful Sniffers and this video may be shared during the Sip n' Sniff during the evening. These videos will be used in a session to learn how to better break down your own videos and learn from them.
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By attending camp, you are agreeing to have your photograph taken or video taken of you and your dog working. These images can be used to promote the camp, its events or instructors.
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Cancellation policy:
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Cancellations within 7 days of registration (before July 1st) – Full refund of deposit and camp fees.
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Cancellations after 7 days of registration (before July 1st) – refund of camp fees minus the non-refundable deposit.
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Cancellation after July 1st, 2025 – Refund of 50% of your camp fees only
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No refunds of camp fees after August 15th, 2025
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No part of the camp 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.