• Junior Master Herpetologist Program

    Expert Perspectives into the World of Amphibians & Reptiles
    Adapted from our acclaimed Master Herpetologist Program (for adults), our Junior Master Herpetologist Program is intended for a younger audience. It is offered both in-person @ AF and 100% online, so our students are from all over the world —
    This program is perfect for younger learners (ages 12-17) interested in amphibians and reptiles, as well as those interested in entering the field of herpetology.
    Join Us!    The Junior Master Herpetologist Program is a certificate program.

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The Junior Master Herpetologist Program is offered as an 16 week in-person class, hosted at the Amphibian Foundation in Atlanta, GA USA. It 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 12-17 interested in amphibians and reptiles as well as those interested in exploring the field of herpetology.

The Junior Master Herpetologist Program is led by AF Education Coordinator and Master Herpetologist, Amanda Dahglren and multiple AF Master Herpetologist Educators.

The Junior Master Herpetologist Program is rooted in hands-on learning, and covers the major amphibian and reptile groups: Frogs, Salamanders, Caecilians, Tuatara, Lizards, Snakes, Turtles, and Crocs, including Georgia animals too. By the end of the course, students will have a foundation of herpetological knowledge upon which they can build. The online Junior Master Herpetologist Program has been a world-wide success and we are very excited to offer it at our location in Atlanta, where we have hundreds of amphibian and reptile ambassadors available to help along the journey. Each class starts with a lesson, then a short break, followed by handling time for the group of animals discussed that day. Limited to 20 students. We offer 2 age groups.

Spring Schedule - Class starts Saturday, Jan 13, 2024

Class meets every other Saturday at the Amphibian Foundation, except the local field trip

  • Section 1 - 1/13 - Introduction to Amphibians & Reptiles
  • Section 2 - 1/27 - Salamanders & Newts
  • Section 3 - 2/10 - Frogs & Toads
  • Section 4 - 2/24 - Tuatara & Lizards
  • Section 5 - 3/9 - Field Trip (Metro Atlanta Location TBD)
  • Section 6 - 3/23 - Snakes
  • Section 7 - 4/6 - Turtles + Crocs
  • Section 8 - 4/20 - Final Exam
Students who complete the course successfully will be certified Junior Master Herpetologists, and are eligible for adult courses at AF. The registration fee covers all lectures, handouts, and reading materials & the certificate.


Bearded Dragon on the Computer


Registration is Open for the Live In-person Course!

The Atlanta-based, in-person Junior Master Herpetologist Program is $275 for the 16 week program. It includes the lectures, all handouts, field trip, final exam, and a certificate.

Class starts Jan 13, 2024
Registration closes Jan 13, 2024

Ages 12-14: 10:00 - 12:30

Student's Name
Student's Email Address

Ages 15-17: 1:30 - 4:00

Student's Name
Student's Email Address

Lead Instructor, Amanda

Amanda Dahlgren The live & in-person Junior Master Herpetologist Program is led by Master Herpetologist and AF Education Coordinator, Amanda.

Youth Programs

Critter Second Sundays in Atlanta @ AF

Critter Café - Ages 0-5

Critter Café - Ages 0-5

A delightfully casual family experience for our youngest critter enthusiasts, including ones too young for Critter Camp! Our amazing educators lead critter discovery sessions for young children and their parents. A different group is explored each time, such as: frogs, salamanders, GA native species, turtles, lizards, and snakes. All animals are friendly and can be handled if desired.

  • 2nd Sunday, 10-11 am
  • Ages 0-5
  • Coffee, tea, and cocoa provided for parents.
  • $20 each session, includes parents!

Learn More and Register

Critter Café - Ages 6-9

Critter Café - Ages 6-9

A delightfully casual family experience for our youngest critter enthusiasts! Our amazing educators lead critter discovery sessions for young children and their parents. A different group is explored each time, such as: frogs, salamanders, GA native species, turtles, lizards, and snakes. All animals are friendly and can be handled if desired.

  • 2nd Sunday, 11:30 am-12:30 pm
  • Ages 6-9
  • Coffee, tea, and cocoa provided for parents.
  • $20 each session, includes parents!

Learn More and Register

Critter Class - Ages - 6-11

Critter Class - 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.

  • 2nd Sunday, 1:00-2:30 pm
  • Ages 6-11
  • $30 each session, $175 for the 6 session series

Learn More and Register