The brand new Amphibian Foundation @ Legacy Park!
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Help us build America's first & only independent amphibian conservation center.
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Educational Programs by Age Group
5-14 Online | 0-14 In-person | 12-17 Online | 12-17 In-person | 18+ Online | 18+ In-person | All Ages | Critter PartiesYour registrations fuel amphibian conservation! Critical conservation research is funded primarily through registrations to our programs.
AF Course Catalog & Start Dates
Select Age Group
Adult - Online
Youth - Online
Adult - In-person @ AF
Youth - In-person @ AF
Adult - Online
Wed, Jul 08, 2026
Ages 18+ — The Master Herpetologist Program is a globally acclaimed, college-level course in herpetology. Instructed by experts in the field, the program offers career-building certification and a foundation of herpetological knowledge to build upon.
This program is offered 6 times a year. Registration remains open a week after the course start date.
Boris Berlijn, Instructor
Adult - Online
Tue, Jul 07, 2026
Ages 18+ — This intensive class provides a husbandry foundation as we learn from zoo professionals, nonprofit keepers, conservation managers, professional breeders, and others about the best practices and proven techniques for keeping and breeding reptiles & amphibians in captivity.
This program is offered 3 times a year. Registration remains open a week after the course start date
Erin Shebish, Instructor
Adult - Online
Thu, Jul 09, 2026
Ages 18+ — This course is a deep dive into the amphibians and reptiles of one of the most interesting and species-rich areas of the world — the Southeastern United States. The class goal is to create a foundation of regional herpetological knowledge upon which students can build.
This program is offered 3 times a year. Registration remains open a week after the course start date
Adam Lochstampfor, Instructor
Youth - Online
Sat, Jul 25, 2026
Ages 12-14 — JMH is based on our acclaimed Master Herpetologist Program (for adults) and adapted for a younger audience. The Junior Master Herpetologist Program is perfect for young learners, aged 12-14 interested in amphibians and reptiles as well as those interested in exploring the field of herpetology.
This program is offered 5 times a year.
Maryann Barbon, Instructor
Youth - Online
Sat, Jul 25, 2026
Ages 15-17 — JMH is based on our acclaimed Master Herpetologist Program (for adults) and adapted for a younger audience. The Junior Master Herpetologist Program is perfect for young learners, aged 15-17 interested in amphibians and reptiles as well as those interested in exploring the field of herpetology.
This program is offered 5 times a year.
Maryann Barbon, Instructor
Youth - Online
Sat, Jul 25, 2026
Ages 10-15 — Dive into the world of amphibian and reptile care with Critter Caretakers, an 8-week virtual course hosted by the Amphibian Foundation! Inspired by our Husbandry + Captive Management Course for adults, this class is specially tailored for curious minds aged 10-15 eager to learn how to care for reptiles and amphibians.
This program is offered 5 times a year.
Erin Shebish, Instructor
Adult - In-person @ AF
Sat, Aug 29, 2026
Ages 18+ — This 16-week course is a foundational deep-dive into herpetology, including the rich herpetofauna (amphibians and reptiles) of the Southeastern US. Instructed by staff at AF, GA DNR, Orianne Society & Jacksonville State University
This program is offered twice a year (Spring/Fall).
Marjan Ghadrdan and Sami Netherton, Instructors
Adult - In-person @ AF
Fri, Jun 05, 2026
Ages 21+ — This is the 21+ version of our popular children's program — Critter Camp. C & C is a casual learning experience in series format, so we focus on a specific topic or group of animals each session.
This program is offered on the first Friday of every month
Marjan Ghadrdan, Instructor
Adult - In-person @ AF
Sat, Sep 05, 2026
Ages 18+ — This 2-day workshop is a comprehensive training to prepare yourself for working with venomous snakes, or encountering them in the field safely. Using the techniques and protocols laid out by this training, no one has ever been bitten by a venomous serpent.
This program is offered on the first weekend of every other month
Marjan Ghadrdan, Instructor
Adult - In-person @ AF
Sat, Oct 03, 2026
Ages 18+ — This 1-day refresher offers competency training to students who have been certified through our Level I course.
This program is offered on the first weekend of every other month
Marjan Ghadrdan, Instructor
Youth - In-person @ AF
Sat, Aug 29, 2026
Ages 12-14 — The live & in-person Junior Master Herpetologist Program is offered in Decatur, GA at Amphibian Foundation, and includes animal handling and local field trips.
This program is offered 2 times a year (Spring/Fall).
Amanda Dahlgren + TBD, Instructors
Youth - In-person @ AF
Sat, Aug 29, 2026
Ages 15-17 — The live & in-person Junior Master Herpetologist Program is offered in Decatur, GA at Amphibian Foundation, and includes animal handling and local field trips.
This program is offered 2 times a year (Spring/Fall).
Amanda Dahlgren + TBD, Instructors
Youth - In-person @ AF
Sat, Aug 29, 2026
The live & in-person Level II Junior Master Herpetologist Program is offered in Decatur, GA at Amphibian Foundation, and includes a deeper look into herpetology, plus animal handling, field and lab-based learning.
This program is offered 2 times a year (Spring/Fall).
Youth - In-person @ AF
Mon, May 25, 2026
Ages 6-14 — All summer long + school breaks - Critter Camp - a science-based summer and school-year camp with three locations — the Friends School of Atlanta, Blue Heron Nature Preserve, and right at the Amphibian Foundation (Legacy Park).
This program is offered each summer and during school breaks
Tess Yaney, Programs Manager + Various Instructors
Youth - In-person @ AF
Sun, Jun 14, 2026
Ages 6-11 — Critter Class is for students only, and has more structured learning than the earlier Critter Café events. Critter Class includes a lesson, followed by hands-on learning and animal handling with our amazing AF Educators. Critter Class can be enjoyed as a series, or if someone would simply like to drop in for a certain topic. A different group is discussed each time.
This program is offered each month on the second Sunday
Phoebe Offenberg, Instructor
Youth - In-person @ AF
Sun, Jun 14, 2026
Ages 0-5 & 6-9 — Critter Café is a delightfully casual family experience for our youngest critter enthusiasts, including ones too young for Critter Camp!
Each month, a brief presentation is followed by lots of supervised handling time with salamanders, frogs, turtles, lizards, and snakes.
This program is offered each month on the second Sunday
Phoebe Offenberg, Instructor
Youth - In-person @ AF
Sun, Aug 23, 2026
Ages 0-11 + 12 and up — A guided learning and painting experience for all ages, including children and families.
This program is offered on the fourth Sunday each month.
Amanda Dahlgren, Instructor
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Career-building Training Opportunities
All
Adults - 18+
Youth - 15-17
Conservation Research Bridge Program
Mentored research opportunities in the lab and in the field through AF's gap-year program @ Agnes Scott College.
Hands-on experiences in one of our 3 husbandry labs
Join a volunteer team of almost 40 weekly volunteers!
Be a TA in one of our many online courses.
Certified Master Herpetologists stay connected by becoming a TA, and helping new students with the material.
Help us carry the message to every community in metro Atlanta
Virtually unlimited educational & outreach opportunities working with children, families, and critters
Work alongside professional educators @ Critter Camp
Each session of Critter Camp has a Lead Instructor, a Teaching Assistant, and a CIT
AF is fiscally sponsored by Southern Conservation Partners, a registered 501(c)(3) organization. Tax ID #47-2181285
Site photography by Kevin Blackwell, Fan Ping (Be Water Imaging), Xerophile, and Mark Mandica
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2016 - 2026
by Amphibian Foundation. All rights reserved.