Up close and personal: Kids get first hand look at critters during visit from Pittsburgh Zoo in Natrona

There’s nothing like seeing it up close.

And that’s what the kids at the Summer Lunch and Arts Program at Natrona Riverfront Park got to do this week during a visit from Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium educators.

The zoo staff brought some friends, of course, including Rose, the eastern pine snake, and some other creepy-crawlies.

The program, a joint venture between Faith Community Partners and Natrona Comes Together, provides lunch to area youth weekdays during the summer, except for holidays, and includes summer enrichment activities.

The zoo visit gave the children an opportunity to learn about local wildlife and the environment while getting so see some of the animals for themselves.