Staff: Meet The Director
Steve Featherstone, aka “Savannah Steve”, graduated Mohawk College’s Recreation and Leisure Services Program in June 2000, and Sir Sanford Fleming’s Parks and Recreation Program in June 2002. He has worked for numerous camps in the Hamilton area since high school including S.T.A.R. of Hamilton Wentworth, Camp Kidaca, City of Hamilton Summer Camp, March Break Camps, and most recently, Hatts Off Specialized Services.
During his time of study at these courses, and work at these camps, he developed the skills needed to run a program of this caliber. Steve is always looking for the best possible experience for each and every child. The program is designed to be a week filled with valuable animal experiences and understandings. It is his goal that the children will develop a life-long respect for all living creatures through this program.
His love for wildlife and children show through in his reptile educational shows that he has been performing since 2001. Prior to working at The Reptile Store in Hamilton, he was a staff member at Jungle Cat World Wildlife Park (JCWWP) in Orono, Ontario. It was at JCWWP that he developed his love and understanding of all species of animals, not just the animals that were
his first interest, predatory cats! His favorite animal to this day is still the Puma concolor, the cougar.
Steve Featherstone is certified in First Aid and C.P.R. both standard as well as instructor’s level. He has numerous other certificates involved in the recreation field including O.R.C.A. (Canoeing level one), 3M National Coaches Certification Program, High Five Training, W.H.M.I.S. Training, People Savers, People Savers Instructors Course, Super Host, Project Wild and U.M.A.B.. Recently Steve Featherstone traveled to St. Augustine Florida to participate in the American Zoos and Aquariums personal development course. Steve graduate from a 10 day course titled “Crocodilian Biology and Captive Management”.
Steve has also traveled extensively. He has found a second home in Central America. His favorite eco-tourism country is Costa Rica, but has travelled throughout Belize, Mexico, Cuba, Venezuela and the Dominican Republic. Costa Rica is held so highly on his travel plans that he and his long-time girlfriend Holly were married there on April 7th, 2007! Steve can teach children about his lifetime experiences in other countries and share about their animals, cultures and beliefs. “You can learn more in a week in a Central American rainforest or Jungle then you can in a month in a library”.
Steve’s professional highlights include his large charitable event called Steel City Safari. Steve and his friends ran the event for 5 years and helped donate over $72,000 to the CHML Children’s Fund.
When Steve is not working for Reptile Store.ca or The Reptile Store Summer Camp he is usually found participating in hobbies include photography, kayaking, hiking, jiu-jitsu, baseball, volleyball and camping. Steve and His wife Holly made the recent commitment to Hamilton by purchasing their first home in the city. They foster teenager’s full-time during their free time.
