“Scales, fur, claws and MORE!”

Education Week Activity 2006

Learning really did ‘come alive’ for the fifteen children who got close up and personal with some very interesting creatures at the Statewide Vision Resource Centre. Eight of these children then went on to the Zoo with the Guide Dogs Victoria's Children’s Moblity Services.

We met the stumpy tail lizards, Sleepy and Snoozey, bearded dragons, Spike and Prickles, pythons, Cuddles, Kath and Kim, turtles, Raphael and Donatello and two crocodiles Snappy and Getya.

Tracey Sandstrom from Roaming Reptiles was a dynamo – bringing out animals, teaching the children how to handle them, organizing photos, mopping up ‘accidents’ and even encouraging the more reluctant children to touch and handle the reptiles.

John Gaeth or ‘Micro Marvellous’ brought a colour CCTV so that our children with low vision could get an even closer look. He said (surprisingly!) it was the first time his equipment had been used to view a stumpy tailed lizard or python!

Jarryd became chief crocodile handler, even helping Tracey to put them back in their boxes. Getya, the 6 year old (about five foot long!) saltwater crocodile went to sleep across Alex’s lap. When Dean of Guide Dogs Victoria arrived, he was shocked when it eventually moved – he thought it was plastic.

The most thrilling part of the morning was hearing the excited chatter of the children as they participated in so many new experiences.

Quotes from the kids:

When asked which was her favourite animal: “I can’t decide because they were all so magnificent.”

“Mum, can I take the crocodile home?”

“This lizard has braille on it.”

Article by Marion Blaze; images by Deb Lewis, Marion Blaze, Maria Elford and Tracey Sandstrom.

If you would like to know more about the Camps and Recreation Program, please contact Deb Lewis.