Cool and Crawly Critters Day at Woodlands Nature Station

These adorable faces are priceless!�  I wonder if their t-shirts come in my size???

If you’re blessed with children in your life, you know how much they love cool and crawly critters. Spiders, snakes, bugs, turtles – kids can’t get enough of these fascinating animals.Ã?  Heck, a lot of us adults enjoy them as much I’d take snakes out of my own personal line up, however. I have a deal with them – they don’t come near me and I won’t go near them.Ã?  Oddly enough, I’m incredibly fascinated by spiders and other crawly animals.

If your kids enjoy catching bugs and other critters, you’ll want to mark July 14th on your calendar.Ã?  Land Between The Lakes (LBL) National Recreation Area is havingÃ?  Cool & Crawly Critters Day at Woodlands Nature Station on Saturday, July 14, 2012, from 10am to 4pm.Ã? Ã?  You and your kids can get an up-close look at bugs, snakes, turtles, fish, and more!

ââ?¬Å?The Nature Station buzzes with opportunities for children to learn about critters that sometimes give them the creeps,ââ?¬Â said Nature Station naturalist, Carrie Szwed. ââ?¬Å?Families can spend the day having fun while learning about these animals hands-on!”

The day�s events include games, crafts, programs, and lots of cool and crawly critters. Stop by ongoing exhibits such as the Insect Road Show, Rescued Reptiles, Aquatic Animals, and Slithery Snakes. Throughout the day scientists and naturalists will be on hand conducting programs and answering questions.

Be sure to say hello to Smokey Bear when he visits throughout the day!

Featured programs include:

• 11 am: Live Animal Show: Creatures of the Night

• 12 pm: Turtle Races

• 1 pm: Live Animal Show: Creatures of the Night

• 2 pm: Amazing Animals Puppet Show

• 3 pm: Live Animal Show: Creatures of the Night

Your family will have a fun day (with lots of learning experiences for the young ones) as you get up close and personal with these amazingly cool animals. Food will be available for purchase from Aurora BBQ (outstanding BBQ!) The day offers a variety of activities for all ages and is especially geared for ages 5-12. Activities are ongoing throughout the day from 10am to 4pm. Event admission fee is $4 ages 13 and up, $3 ages 5-12, and free 4 and under. Cool & Crawly Critters Day is perfect for Home Educators. Event admission includes all programs.

While at the Nature Station, you’ll want to visit the other resident critters – deer, owls, eagles, turkeys, wolves, and more. They’re magnificent animals who are kept safe at the Nature Station. You’ll soon learn that these are very special animals that wouldn’t (for various reasons) be able to survive on their own. I’m struck, each time we go, by the level of love the workers have for these animals.Ã?  As the world’s biggest animal lover, it always warms my heart.

Visit our Land Between the Lakes Pictures page to see a few of the faces waiting for you!