Critter Connections
- York, PA
- Petting Zoo
Denise said “Thank you Kevin for hosting our sons 4th birthday party! You were great and everyone loved you! This was perfect for the amount of people that showed.…”
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My name is Ryan Bridge and I present some of the most unique and exciting, insect education and outreach programs throughout Pa, Md and Va. Whether it's butterflies, bugs, beetles or any other type of creepy crawly that will amaze the audience, my goal is to teach people about them! I'm not the typical Bug Guy. I entertain through the use of LIVE BUGS, as well as an almost unlimited amount of beautifully preserved displays! My sense of humor combined with experience-based facts, leads to a wonderful, educational experience for all ages. Fun and exciting show-n-tell programs, as well as a large static exhibit enables me to attend nearly any size of organized venue, public or private.
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Price Range: Contact for rates
Gig Length: 30 - 360 minutes
Languages: English
Learning something new about insects is quite easy to do, as most people know very little about them. With over 30 years of experience, studying, rearing, collecting and observing insects from all over the world, I will provide a humorous, yet very realistic learning experience for everyone. Realizing that most of my audience has a less than high regard for insects, my goal of making "bugs" fun and exciting for every single person in attendance, is not exactly easy. But I absolutely LOVE what I do!
An average all-age audience member can expect to have a truly unique program experience, as they'll see 100's or possibly as many as 10,000 insects at one time, depending upon the program focus and any of these insects are the largest species in the world! It's also possible, they might attend a program focusing on insects at night and thus, not only see some incredible displays of preserved insects, but also walk out into the darkness and observe what's walking, crawling and hopping around at night. Though many of my insects are preserved, those people attending my events can also expect to see a wide variety of LIVE insects and related critters!! One of the best aspects of my program, is when the audience will approach my tables and actually touch, pet and HOLD many of the live bugs. My overall goal is to enhance everyone's awareness of the Global importance of insects and to inspire them to simply have more respect for ALL insects, when the program ends and we all go home.
BACKGROUND
My name is Ryan Bridge, and I am known as “The Bug Man” due to my passion for Entomology and most of all teaching people about insects. I am also an author of insect related books, based on helping teach young children to read, as well as inspiring them to better appreciate insects. I was born and raised in York, PA, but traveled extensively, spending many summers in the Western US and California. I even lived in southern Florida for several years, working as a Curator for a Tourist-based butterfly aviary before moving on and then providing Air Boat Tours in the Everglades. Throughout the 1980's and 90's I traveled the world on insect hunting expeditions, building my insect collection to nearly 150,000 insects. I eventually moved back to PA, where I began to present "BugMan" programs to local schools and at small events. I founded the York County 4-H Entomology Club and quickly gained popularity among many of local parks and various connections who either provided me an opportunity to present programs, or collect insects with the 4-H Club. I'm still commonly featured in local newspapers or on TV news broadcasts, regarding my insect related activities or as an insect expert.
I am an expert in Entomology Outreach and I now travel to schools, libraries, churches, public parks, community events, and even birthday parties throughout Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia, doing fun and educational programs, using LIVE INSECTS!! My collection doesn't hide in my basement. I take it on the road so that all my customers can explore the world of insects and see how incredible Nature can be. I am also regularly called upon to donate insects to the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia and to the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, DC.
SCHEDULING
Many of my programs are booked months in advance, but I generally keep a few openings to accommodate those ‘last minute’ requests (as a parent, I understand trying to get everything done at the last minute!). Please contact me to check availability.
SECURITY
Many School Districts, Senior Care Facilities and Townships are requesting Security Clearances for anyone to enter buildings, or present/exhibit at events involving younger children. I have completed ALL of the standard Pennsylvania Security Clearances, as well as those required by Penn State University (4-H Volunteer Leader) and can provide proof of these clearances upon request.
PRICING
Costs are affordable and vary depending upon the program focus, logistics and any special requests, beyond the "standard" program design. Travel within a 25 mile radius is included in the base price (over 25 miles incurs a slight ‘travel expense’. I present these programs because of my love of insects and passion for needing to educate people about them. My business has been built on positive feedback, word of mouth, a loyal customer base and credibility as an entertaining Entomology Outreach Educator. I build my programs around a guideline of providing the best quality program possible and I am very confident that you will be pleased with the results.
ALL of the live insects touched, pet or held during my programs are completely SAFE TO HOLD. Those that are not safe to touch, pet or hold, will be contained in a safe manner in which to avoid any possible danger to anyone, ever.
My only (standard) request to the customer, is two 6'-8' tables (or similar) on which to stage my program prop's and display cases. I can however, provide my own tables (at no additional cost), if the customer is unable to do so. Larger venue's may need to provide most or all of the tables in order to hold the requested amount of program prop's and displays.
I do not normally require electrical outlets, nor additional lighting, beyond that which is suitable for regular indoor programming.
Outdoor programs have special requirements such as concerns about wind and moisture damage to any of the insects. If at all possible, limited direct sunlight, or preferably NO direct sunlight to the displays, will prevent fading of the preserved insects.
Absolutely NO direct sunlight to the live insects, to prevent over heating and thus killing them.
Some programs require a Rain (link hidden) ensure successful completion: Nocturnal Insect Programs requiring Light Stations. Wind, rain, and Moon Phase can seriously decrease insect activity at night.
Recommended maximum audience size for most "show n tell" style programs is 150 people.
Some costs are negotiable.
"To Be, or Not To Be ...a bug!": 30 to 45 minute Day Care or Preschool program, Youth Special Needs Camps..
"Mother Nature's Miracles": 1 to 1.5 hour Elementary Schools, K through Grad 6., Youth Day Camps, Special Needs Camps.
"Mother Nature's Night Life": 3 hours, Nocturnal Insects w/light stations to attract insects. Nature Centers, Scout Groups, Camps.
"Does Your Water Taste Buggy?": 2 hours, Aquatic insect Program. Live aquatic insects. Grade 2 and up.
"Happy Bug Day!! : 1 hours, Birthday Parties. BugMan gift. All ages.
"Senior Care Facility Programs": 45 minutes. Show n Tell, includes live insects.
"I've Got Bugs": 6 hours. Static exhibit, unlimited tables, Festivals, Fairs, med and large venues, all day or multi-day events. All ages.
"Insect Adventure!": 3 hours. Field trip event. Hiking, Catching, observing. NO KILL. Group size 10 kids max. Grade 1 and up.
At 5 yrs, I watched a neighbor collect insects for a High School project. At 9, I enrolled in 4-H and learned all of the basic Entomology skills I would use for the rest of my life, as well as receive Blue and Gold ribbons for the next 4 years. At 16, I traveled to 8 US States and 2 foreign countries and was networked with 4 different Entomological Societies and was attending the annual meetings. In 1984, I was awarded the Pa. Amateur Entomologist of the Year award. In 1985 I took top honor's on a College Level Entomology Exam (PSU). By the time I was 30, I'd been to 47 US States, 13 foreign countries, rec'd an Assoc Degree in Art, Curated an insect rearing Lab and was a 15 year 4-H Leader.
Two 6' - 8' Tables (standard).
Denise said “Thank you Kevin for hosting our sons 4th birthday party! You were great and everyone loved you! This was perfect for the amount of people that showed.…”
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