Reptile Rampage , this Sunday, March 8th, is a unique opportunity to get up close and personal to a huge menagerie of animals of the scaly, slimy, and creepy crawly variety! I believe that you won’t find them so creepy after spending some quality time with them. Meet with experts and animal caregivers who offer deeper insight into the lives of these spectacular animals.
Held at the Lake Forest Recreation Center Gym, 400 Hastings Road, this is a huge annual event that raises essential funding for the operation of The Wildlife Discovery Center. The Wildlife Discovery Center is a living natural history museum located in the Middlefork Savanna at Elawa Farm in Lake Forest. All year long they offer free admission to allow visitors to meet face-to-face with a variety of reptiles and amphibians, along with a few birds and mammals as well. It is a true treasure of Lake County!
This event is a must-do for any animal-loving family, particularly those with a fascination for reptiles. It is a wonderful educational opportunity and you’ll walk away with some pretty fabulous photos to post on your Instagram. We take no responsibility if grandma freaks out!
Having attended in the past with my children, I find it truly amazing how gentle these creatures are. They really do get a bad rap. I was equally surprised at how quickly my children took to the animals. The two-year old held a tarantula! I don’t know many adults who would be up for that. Erasing the misconceptions about these animals is an important step in protecting their habitats and teaching your children care and respect for wildlife.
This is a popular annual event that draws large crowds so arrive early and leave the strollers at home. While the animals are friendly and there are plenty of experts on-hand to guide you, if you have a screamer, I would skip this event. You won’t be doing your child or the animals any good. But if you still want the opportunity to acclimate a hesitant child, I would visit The Wildlife Discovery Center during normal visiting hours. A smaller, less crowded venue (in my humble opinion) would be a better opportunity for a nervous child to have a one-on-one encounter with wildlife.
However, if you have multiple children with varying levels of confidence, looking at the animals without touching is just fine too! There’s plenty to observe and learn from. If animals are just not their thing, there are craft tables to keep disinterested siblings occupied. It also provides a little break in the day from animal viewing.
Reptile Rampage is truly a memorable event your children will talk about for years to come.
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