Audubon Summer Camp expo and reunion

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Chris Eveans, the director and founder of Animal Embassy presents at Audubon Greenwich Summer camp expo.
Chris Evers, the director and founder of Animal Embassy presents at Audubon Greenwich Summer camp expo.

By Chéye Roberson

Sentinel Correspondent

At the Audubon Greenwich Summer Camp Expo families were invited to take part in a scavenger hunt, arts and crafts, and the building of a camp fire just before an invigorating presentation from the Animal Embassy full of fury chinchillas and reptilian friends.

The expo held on Sunday, April 3rd, sought to entertain while displaying the best features of Audubon Greenwich for families who are interested a program that educates children on the value of wildlife and methods of preservation.

The director of Audubon Greenwich, Michelle Frankel, gave brochures to parents and explain the programs that are available in the summer camp.

The expo also revealed that the plans to build a new grass trail on the property called Wheels in the Woods Trail System. The trail will give visitors an opportunity to spot various creatures in their natural habitat. The trail is set to be opened in June of this year.

Van Benson, one of the fathers in attendance, said the activities at the expo were entertaining and informative.

“I thought this was a great way to kick off the year and get people interested in the activities here,” said Benson.

A highlight of the event was the presentation by animal embassy that gave the kids a chance to touch and learn more about some of their favorite animals like turtles, snakes, and parrots.

The Animal Embassy is dedicated to the rescue and adoption of exotic animals that would otherwise have nowhere to go.

“Our initial goal is to create a place where animals can go that need a home – whether the owners got bored of their pet, or a baby animal turned into a very big animal, or a kid grew up and went off to college and can’t take that pet with him,” said Chris Evers, the founder and director of Animal Embassy.

The Animal Embassy which started 13 years ago gives presentations in libraries, museums, nature centers and schools all over Connecticut and New York. One of their goals is to build a center where people can visit and see the animals they help protect.

The Animal Embassy also takes care of animals from Stanwich School when they’re on summer vacation.

The Animal Embassy also has an anti-bullying program for schools called Creating Kindness through Creatures which has the philosophy that if you can show children how to appreciate creatures that are very different from themselves -whether they have fur, feathers, fins or scales – than students will learn the importance of appreciating similarities as well as celebrating differences in human beings as well.

As Evers walked around with a snake for the kids to touch he warned them that it takes a lot of responsibility to keep a snake secure.

“Snakes can be escape artists and if you ever have one you better keep it secure,” said Evers.

He also told the kids that although snakes make great pets they are not going to be “your best friend” in the way some of the more warm and cuddly creatures will be.

Laurel Fox, one of the participant in the summer camp at Audubon, showed the other kids her pet snake, Bob. Fox learned the proper way to hold a snake from her time at the summer camp.

She said loves helping to take care of the animals at Greenwich Audubon and her favorite snake there is named Harold who is a large eastern rat snake.

The parents at the expo feel the summer camp program is a great outlet for the kids.

“It gives the kids a lot to do – healthy nature related activities,” said Benson. “They learn how to be in harmony with animals and the environment.

Evers encouraged the kids to learn all they can learn for the betterment of the future.

“Enjoy Audubon – enjoy nature so you can help me change the world. Do you believe we can change the world?, he asked.

When the kids in the audience answered yes, Evers added, “Right. It’s just in what way do you want to change it – negative or positive?”

 

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