In a world full of screens and distractions, students have a tendency to lose touch with the world around them. B-V custodian Kevin Golden wants to change that.

As a B-V alumni and current custodian of five years for the school, lifelong lover of nature and self proclaimed “reptile fanatic” Kevin Golden set out to revive a connection between the students and the wildlife that surrounds them, saying “it’s a reeducation on what’s in their backyard”. In the spring, Mr. Golden provided the school’s STEM lab with a remarkably intricate handmade turtle habitat home to some of the club’s turtles. Along with the new turtle habitat, the school courtyard was converted into a spacious home for three tortoises. 

After speaking with Mr. Golden for only a short time, it was evident that he cares very deeply about his community and its children. When speaking to Mr. Golden, it is clear how passionate he is about creating a safe and supportive environment for the students, hoping to safely introduce the students to the world around them, to reacquaint them with the wildlife that surrounds them, and bring about a deeper connection to the world we all share.

When the club was introduced to the students, Mr. Golden was nervous that it might not be as successful as he anticipated — the community’s response proved otherwise. The reaction to the club was wildly encouraging. Students and families throughout the school enjoyed the program and its exotic offerings.

To prepare for the club’s start in October, Mr. Golden spent the summer creating fun and interesting lessons and activities for the students to help them engage in what they are learning. Although the club’s focus is education based, Mr. Golden aims to create a stress and pressure free environment for the children to safely learn and interact with the reptiles saying, “It’s not school, it’s a club”. 

Mr. Golden expressed that he wants the kids to feel safe around the animals, and by allowing the children to learn at their own pace, will help foster a more trusting relationship between the student and the animal.

In preparation for the club’s first meeting, the students have already given names to some of the turtles and tortoises that have found a home at B-V. The turtles that reside in the STEM lab habitat have all been named by the students: Speck, the southern painted turtle, Shelly, the peacock slider turtle, Jelly, the river cooter turtle and a Rio Grande cooter affectionately named Kevin Junior. 

Three tortoises are housed in the courtyard outside of the school. Among the three tortoises, one of the most outgoing is named Bob, a twelve year old Burmese brown mountain tortoise—the fourth largest breed of tortoise in the world and the largest in Asia. Despite his large and rather prehistoric nature, Bob is a gentle giant who enjoys snacking on cherry tomatoes and lounging in his warm hutch. 

Some of the reptiles in the club were granted by Matt Hybele at the New York State Turtle and Tortoise Society, a non-profit organization that is dedicated to the conservation and protection of turtle and tortoise habitats as well as the rehabilitation of injured turtles.

Beyond learning and finding interest in the world around them, Mr. Golden wants students to feel like they have something in common in The Reptile Club. Some may feel alone or left out at school, but Mr. Golden hopes that this club will create a sense of commonality in the school and give kids something to bond over.