HOUSTON -- Tucked away in Bellaire is the Nature Discovery Center where education takes on a life of its own, KPRC Local 2, Your Education Station, reported Thursday.

A popular program offered at the center is "Snakes Alive," a science day camp led by "The SnakeMan" Clint Pustejovsky.

It's a chance for even the squeamish to befriend more than 20 reptiles.

While handling a snake, Emily Doctor, 7, said, "I like that he's small and he's just really cute."

Palming a bearded dragon, Preston Ludwig, 7, said, "He feels spiky and his tummy under feels warm, and he is fun to play with and hold."

The SnakeMan said his mission is to teach young people not to fear the creatures.

"These snakes are persecuted for no reason, just simple fear and not understanding the critter," he said.

The reptile summer camps are for kids ages seven and up. Pustejovsky said the best lessons can be learned by actually handling the snakes themselves.

He added, "It's showing you that the animals are just like a cat or a dog or any other pet that you know but you would not believe that or know that unless you have an opportunity to come to a place where you can freely handle it."

Camille Carter, 11, is a junior herpetologist who hopes to one day carry on The SnakeMan's mission.

She said, "It's just a great education program for kids to learn about snakes because most people think they're mean and stuff, but they don't really want to hurt anybody."

The scaly creatures used in the day camps are all non-venomous, used to educate and entertain.

For more information, visit www.naturediscoverycenter.org.