Adult Working Canine Training Summer Camp at Thomas College

A Five-Day, Five-Night, Hands-On Education Camp

July 19 - 24, 2026 | Waterville,Maine

The Adult Working Canine Training Camp is a five-day systematic education and training seminar that teaches participants to correctly administer, score, interpret, and communicate the Brownell-Marsolais Instrument (BMI). At the conclusion of the seminar, attendees will be able to translate their findings into the proper selection of K9s for Search-and-Rescue (SAR), detection, competition, and therapeutic working assignments.

Camp Format

Active adult-learner model:

65% applied practice
35% lectures
participant and presenter discussions and debriefings

Learner Assessments:

Pre-Test
Daily Written and Oral Quizzes
Practical Checks (BMI setup, K9 safety, Grounds and environment safety)
Capstone: Run and score a BMI evaluation, Complete written placement recommendation

Costs:

For Day Campers:
- 2 Payments: $500 each
- Full Payment: $1,000
For Overnight Campers:
- 4 Payments: $400 each
- 2 Payments: $800 each
- Full Payment: $1,600
Paid-In-Full Date: June 15, 2026
No refunds will be issued once camp begins

Overnight Cost includes: housing in the dorms and meals in the campus cafeteria for the week.

Day Camp Cost includes daily lunch and two snacks.

Daily Experience at a Glance:

8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.: Continental Breakfast
8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.: Orientation, Safety Briefing, Objectives
9:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.: Lecture, Discussion, Demonstration
10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.: Skills Setup (hand-on, small groups)
12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.: Lunch
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.: Field Application (run section subtests, Observe-Record-Check
3:15 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.: Scoring Calibration, Written & Oral Report
4:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.: Knowledge Check, Debried, and Q&A
5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.: Dinner
6:00 p.m.: K9 Care/Feeding, Free Time, Rest

Who Should Attend?

The seminar is open to experienced and new handlers, and individuals interested in starting in the working dog fields of SAR, detection, sport/competition, and therapeutic service.

Participants are expected and encouraged to bring their healthy and fit canine partners. There will be openings in the seminar for observers without a canine partner.

David Brownell, Director of Brownell Canine Training

David has 40 years of experience as a canine handler, trainer, educator, and program manager. He has worked with thousands of dogs and hundreds of handlers and teams. He has evaluated and managed detector dog programs, personnel, and canines for disaster and search-and-rescue (SAR) groups, police agencies, and international security corporations. He has developed several canine screening and training curricula. Recently, David was the Director of Canine Training for Ground Zero, where he utilized his knowledge, expertise, and management skills in the selection and production of superior canines for assignment to the Disaster and SAR communities. Currently, David is working with a variety of individuals and teams in the canine fields and helping them increase their skills and knowledge in search, detection, and selection.

Mark Marsolais, Ph.D.

Mark is an experienced police K9 handler and supervisor (e.g., criminal apprehension, human remains, evidence). In addition to his police experience, Mark was a director of several international canine programs for a Washington, D.C. security corporation. Working with David, he has developed several K9 training curricula as well as the Brownell-Marsolais K9 Screening Assessment. Currently, he is a Professor of Criminal Justice (CJ) and Security; he coordinates several of his college’s programs to include CJ-Homeland Security, Conservation Law Enforcement, CJ-Cybersecurity, and the MA in Criminology. He regularly teaches dozens of courses and recently developed a Minor in Canine (K9) Studies for Thomas College students interested in working with canines in criminal justice, education, business, homeland security, forensics, and psychology professions.

Core Outcomes by Day 5:

Set up and conduct a safe and applicable working dog assessment according to the BMI (logistics, equipment, personnel roles, evaluation grounds)
Score each subtest reliably (inter-rater consistency)
Complete written and oral assessment of a K9 candidate
Make defensible selection and placement recommendations for evaluated K9 (job assignment, training plan)

Thomas College works with area hotels for a more competitive rate. If you need lodging, please consider staying with one of our area partners.
Local RV / Camping Parks
Pet-friendly Air B&B locations
Pet-friendly Harvest Hosts

The  Alfond Community Pool Complex is a premier local swimming facility where campers can cool off, swim, and have fun in a safe and supervised environment. With spacious pools, splash areas, and plenty of room for games and water activities, it’s the perfect destination for summer adventures. Campers will enjoy swimming sessions, water challenges, and time to relax while making friends and enjoying the summer sun. 

Explore the great outdoors at Quarry Road Trails, a beautiful 200-acre trail network just minutes from our camp. Campers can hike, walk, or bike winding forest and meadow paths, enjoy scenic views along  Messalonskee  Stream, and experience nature up close. With trails for all skill levels and plenty of space to run, play, and explore, Quarry Road Trails is the perfect off campus adventure for outdoor fun and fresh air during your summer experience. 

Campers will have a blast at  Gifford’s Mini Golf & Ice Cream in Waterville! Tee off with friends on the fun mini golf course, then cool down with a scoop (or two) of Gifford’s famous ice cream. It’s the perfect mix of friendly competition, laughter, and sweet treats—a classic summer adventure that everyone will remember. 

Campers will enjoy an exciting outing to a Portland Sea Dogs baseball game at Hadlock Field in Portland, Maine. The Sea Dogs are a Double-A professional team affiliated with the Boston Red Sox, and their games are known for fun, family friendly entertainment in a classic ballpark atmosphere. At the game, campers can cheer on the players, enjoy ballpark snacks, take part in inbetween inning activities, and experience the thrill of live baseball under the summer sky — a perfect mix of sporty excitement and outdoor fun.  

Campers will enjoy a fun-filled trip to a local movie theater, where they can relax, laugh, and watch the latest blockbuster on the big screen. It’s a perfect way to unwind, share snacks, and spend time with friends after a day full of activities, making memories, and enjoying a classic summer outing. 

Campers will experience a classic Maine lobster bake, enjoying freshly cooked lobster, corn on the cob, and other traditional sides in a fun, outdoor setting. This tasty adventure is a perfect way to celebrate summer, try a local favorite, and make lasting memories with friends. 

Information For:

Adult Working Canine Training Camp