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I received a last minute call from my son's teacher last night. We had been planning all year to do a presentation all year. It just never seemed to happen. Well, we worked it out for a last day of school boa presentation.
I have to give Gray a huge thank you again for his school "write up". It was very helpful. (Even the part where all the kids want to share "their" snake stories. LOL!)
It was a wonderful experience! Unfortunately, no pictures were taken. Everything was just too last minute for me to be completely prepared.
It really was a joy. I started off showing some babies, then an albino, and then took out the big girls. The kids LOVED the big snakes!! They were quite a few kids that didn't want to hold or pet the boas. By the end of the presentation only one out of twenty four still was afraid. It was really fun seeing children that were nervous in the beginning open up and really see the beauty of a snake.
Linda, you will be happy to know that Mr. Hershey was a big hit. They loved his name!! And, they loved him. He was so well behaved.
Derek, your Suri female was a big hit. Taking out an 8-9ft boa drove the kids nuts! LOL! They loved her.
I brought six boas. One of my babies, my albino female, Mr. Hershey, Charlie, my Argentine, and the Surinam.
What was really fun as well was to hear my wife talk about boas. She's really not a snake person. She was answering questions like a champ! I was so proud.
It really was a great experience! Hopefully I made some future herpers. LOL! I really want to do it again.
Take care,
John
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"To be the best..........You must lose your mind."

Kathy and I did a presentation a couple weeks ago during our son's last week at school. It was a real treat being able to expose kids to our boas and see the fascination in their eyes. We also used Gray's guidelines for an educational presentation and it worked very well. We are lucky to have people like Gray Rushin in the boa community.

Denny & Kathy Rimes

A pic of our son's teacher holding a boa...first time EVER holding a snake!

You go the extra step with attempting to educate children. Sounds to me like you have it "Made" John... Spreading your passion onto children has to be a WONDERFUL feeling... I'm 22 now and people are so amazed to hear that my 2.5yr old daughter has her own snake (ball python)... My daughter LOVES snakes, she even enjoys the feeding part (I'm not sure if that's a good or bad thing yet)... I hope that one day I will have the opportunity to enlighten young minds. I was skittish with snakes at the age of 15, and now I couldn't be happier with owning them, they are my life.. My daughter is going to be raised around reptiles and exotic animals, and I think it will make her all the more a better person... I know there are "Non snake" people, and it sometimes makes me so amazed with their fear... I guess ignorance can ruin a good thing.. That is why it's so great that you have the ability to teach younger children that there shouldn't be a "Fear" of snakes, but a feeling of "Respect" and "Amazement"... Every person you educate is one step closer to removing the fear of snakes and empowering (sp) them with the wonder they really posess. Snakes really are one of Gods beautiful creations... Keep it up John..
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Joe Lydon
Got Boids?

.....you mentioned the part about the kids sharing their snake stories. It is an inevitable part of the process. Ten hands shoot up and they all want to talk about the giant water moccasin that their dad slayed. It is so hard to do when their enthusiasm is so apparent but you have to throw COLD WATER all over this or you will never get to talk about the boas. I feel bad doing it but their enthusiasm is rekindled when the real stars of the show make their first appearance.

Great stuff John. I'm glad you were able to work it out for the last day. Sounds like you will get invited back. Thanks for sharing.
gray

Another job well done John!
I love it when people change their minds and think snakes aren't so bad afterall!

Happening..........I thought to myself, "Gray's going to get a good laugh about this." LOL!
Thanks again Gray,
John
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"To be the best..........You must lose your mind."