Animal Ed.ventures is a broad-range resource offering a rare hands-on exposure to exotic and domestic mammals, reptiles, and birds. From our USDA licensed breeding facility to our ongoing rescue efforts, we have the ability to provide an enriching educational experience for people of all ages.

Presentations about each species are a blend of history, vocabulary, geography, science and more - plus conservation - not only of our wild kingdoms but of the exotic animals we bring into our homes as pets. Also incorporated are guidance in responsible pet ownership and husbandry practices and a "buyer beware" education that is punctuated by the many rescued animals that live here. As more and more types of exotic pets become available in today's pet trade, it is important to learn how to chose a new pet wisely and become as knowledgeable as possible BEFORE choosing a new pet and bringing it home - for their safety and ours. Animal Ed.ventures is here to help by sharing our animals and our experiences and by increasing awareness of the many other resources available in both local and online communities.

TEACHERS and PARENTS - Your children can learn about each animal's unique and important place in our world - and more...While they're having fun! Aside from the fun of just seeing these animals up close and personal, the kids are learning of their history, geographical origins, life in the wild, and the inherent differences between the wild and domestic populations. Our presentations integrate many of the students' classroom studies such as math, vocabulary, social studies, and conservation. As well, we focus on issues of integrity, pride of ownership, making responsible choices, and the sense of self worth and personal power that accompanies awareness in these areas. My hope is to assist in lighting that spark in every child I can reach that lets them realize, "I can make a difference in this big, big world!"….

With the benefit of the many wonderful species in our care - originating from natural habitats that span six of the seven continents - we are able to delight and educate at the same time...

***Kindercritters Exotics is available for travel to your school, 4H group, or after school programs***

Animals available for travel include:

****We encourage Field Trips and have accommodated as many as 60 children at one time****

Additional animals at the onsite educational tours include:

Ostriches, Emus, Vietnamese Pot-Bellied Pigs, 8 beautiful varieties of ornamental Pheasants, Peafowl, Turkeys, Black Australian Swans and Mandarin Ducks.

Which way is best????

There are several options for how to bring Animal Ed.ventures into your school or educational setting. At the schools, we have found that a once weekly or a once every other week session of 30-45 minutes per class works well. It gives the students a chance to really take time with each species one on one and learn about everything from their natural habitats, their rank in the food chain ( predator or prey?), their diet, (herbivore, carnivore, omnivore, insectivore?), to their natural habits, (nocturnal/diurnal? - solitary/family group oriented?). The benefit of conducting the program this way is that it gives continuity - which keeps interest at a high - while also giving the students a reward they can look forward to and work towards each week. The species can be presented in any order and can therefore be made applicable to the students' current studies in many areas. We cover GEOGRAPHY as we discuss where these animals come from - giving places such as Australia and Africa or The Rain Forest a tangibility that no book can really offer. We cover VOCABULARY as we discuss the many diverse habits, physical characteristics, dietary needs and more. MATH is integrated as we calculate things such as the cost of upkeep for the different species' or their reproductive capabilities. "Character Counts" and the importance of personal INTEGRITY and COMMITMENT are shared as we visit and hear the stories of how many of the rescued animals came to be in our care and what the ongoing repercussions in the life that animal will be.

****We can also do single sessions with more animals per presentation if it better fits into the available scheduling of a given group or school****

***IT IS BEST IF YOUR SCHOOL CAN PROVIDE A CENTRALIZED LOCATION FOR THE PRESENTATIONS AND HAVE THE CLASSES COME TO US. THIS SAVES TIME AND IS LESS STRESSFUL FOR THE ANIMALS***

Animal Ed.ventures is looking towards a future date when, through grant monies and community support, we will be able to offer this program to schools and other educational and living facilities free of charge. Until then, the current fees are in place - keeping in mind that the budgets of many of the smaller schools are very limited.

One Time Presentation: $225.00. This is for up to3 hours (approx.) of 30-45 minute presentations. As many classes as would like , may participate on a given day within the time frame given here. If there are enough classes to warrant extra time, the added cost is only $25.00 for up to 1 1/2 extra hours. The best length for the presentations seems to be in that 30-45 minute range. This keeps interest and focus at its highest. Classes can be combined, but it is best to keep to a two class maximum or have larger classes attend singly as it is the best way to insure that one on one connection. You won't believe how fast 45 minutes can pass!

Monthly "pass" : $500.00 plus mileage. 4 consecutive weeks of presentations in the time frame/s above - preferably on the same day of each week . (Our local school picked Friday for the presentations and dubbed it "Animal Fridays")

"Broader Horizons" Package: $1,000.00 plus mileage. 8 different species from at least 4 different continents. One species per week - preferably on the same day each week. This package can be broken up so that presentations can be done every-other week or over eight consecutive weeks.

"Around the World" Package: $1,800.00 plus mileage. 12-14 different species (mitigated by winter weather issues) from every continent except Antarctica ( but don't worry - i'm working on that! (o: ) and including the Island of Madagascar! One species per week - preferably on the same day each week. This package can be broken up as well, and the specific presentations can be scheduled around the current area of study of the group with the highest percentage of attending students.

"Over the Rainbow" field trip: This is no ordinary zoo-type field trip! More than just a walk past enclosures, students will have the opportunity to see face to face: * a large Chameleon eat it's lunch, (they love the look of that sticky tongue!!!), or possibly : *the rare glimpse of a baby sugar glider just out of the pouch, * baby hedgehogs with fresh new quills *or baby rabbits still in their mother's soft fur nest *the perfect roundness of an Ostrich's eyes *the fun and funky "hair" of an Emu *PLUS: Mother Nature at her best - The flower garden of the animal kingdom-... Birds, birds, and more birds! *Exotic birds and pheasants of the world that possess between them every color of the rainbow and more! All with that one on one personal connection that is the hallmark of the Animal Ed.ventures educational experience.

Field Trip prices are for approximately four 1/2 hours which includes the tours, interaction and a short hike for lunch at "lunch break ridge" that sits atop some of the beautiful sandstone rock formations that the Bull Mountains are known for.

$5.00 per child ($100.00 minimum)

***********DON'T FORGET TO BRING YOUR CAMERAS!!!!*************

Particularly large groups will require extra staff as they must be broken down into smaller numbers for proper exhibition of indoor and outdoor animals and in order to maintain that intimate connection we are trying to achieve. All Field Trips can be structured on a case by case basis and we are able to provide some staffing assistance through the generosity of local parent volunteers.

We are also grateful for the district/PTA/ or paying body to consider including a conservation donation above the field trip cost of an amount that the attending faculty feels is congruent to their belief in the educational value of our program, the group's overall enjoyment of the experience, and the benefits of our future endeavors to enhance awareness of the wonders of the world around us.*

********THIS IS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT LABOR OF LOVE*********

ALL PROCEEDS GO DIRECTLY BACK INTO THE FEED, CARE, HOUSING, AND VETERINARY COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH MAINTAINING A HEALTHY AND HAPPY POPULATION OF FASCINATING AND BEAUTIFUL CREATURES.

Parents and faculty are all invited to attend and learn and see this program first hand. We guarantee it to be an experience you won't soon forget! Faculty are also welcome to come to the facility to get a more personal idea of what we are about and how our treasured friends are shared with the students.

Animal Ed.ventures is now also available for private and public events and parties! See our PARTY PAGE for details on how you can bring the rainforest, the African desert, or the great Down Under right to your home or event site!

*our rescued population is growing every year and is supported by the generous donations of many people throughout the community. If you would like to contribute to the sanctuary we provide for unwanted or neglected exotic pets please see our Donations page     ^ Back to top ^