Party time? Plan a fun, informative event that encourages a love of all critters

Bill Boesenberg, owner of Snakes-N-Scales and Turtle Tales,  center, holds Blue, a nearly 6-foot-long alligator. Members of his educational staff hold some of the facility's other rescue animals.

I just read an article on MSNBC online that  children's birthday parties are getting way out of hand. Some families, in their quest for a spare-no-expense celebration for their tots, will spend upward of $40,000 to host a lavish event -- sometimes for toddlers.

Granted, many children today -- and their parents -- have moved away from the standard soda, snacks, cupcakes and pin-the-donkey games that once were popular, but if you're going to throw a birthday bash, why wouldn't you expect your child and those invited to get something more out of it than a lot of glitz?

You don't need to spend a lot of money to offer a fun, yet educational and environmentally based, event for your tykes. There are other options that provide these kinds of programs for parties that give kids more than a sugar rush and mindless time spent in a bouncy house.

One such company is Snakes-N-Scales and Turtle Tales, based in Wanaque, the largest Animal Outreach Educational Organization of  its kind in New Jersey. Snakes-N-Scales maintains over 500 reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates.

Owner Bill Boesenberg and his Snakes-N-Scales staff present informative, educational and fun programs and parties for audiences of all ages (including school groups, Scouts and other organizations)  in an effort to share their concern and respect for these unique animals.

While Boesenberg and his educators enjoy sharing the lighter side of  their work with audiences — the alligators pulled out of people’s pools or the monitor lizard found wandering along the turnpike –  they also share stories of  the more tragic incidents, too, in an effort to inform, educate and instill in youngsters an appreciation for these sometimes misunderstood or mistreated animals.

Many of the Snakes-N-Scales animals were rescued from a variety of  situations. Some were  unwanted or abused pets, others were confiscated by authorities or picked up in neighborhoods, along roads or from abandoned apartments, but all of them now have found a safe, secure haven under the care of Boesenberg and his trained staff, who provide them with proper nourishment, appropriate habitats and medical attention for the rest of their lives.

Interested in learning more or booking a show? Call 973-248-9964 or e-mail bill@snakes-n-scales.com.