The Camel Days of Summer?

Some things are universally understood about kids. Kids will often prefer eating crayons to eating vegetables, they generally dread the first day of school and they almost always love animals.

Cartersville has a unique gem within its city limits that any day of the week gives kids a hands-on experience with some of the world’s best known and loved exotic animals.

Pettit Creek Farms is a family owned and operated farm that plays host to countless children each year at its petting zoo, which showcases exotic animals from around the world that most children only get to see in children’s books, let alone up close.

Pettit Creek Farms prides itself on maintaining a clean and healthy facility both for its visitors and the animals who live there. With “sanitation stations” available at intervals within the petting zoo, parents can feel good about giving their children an opportunity to explore without worry of germs or messy hands.

Pettit Creek keeps a wide variety of animals sure to fascinate children and adult animal enthusiasts alike.

“We have llamas, goats, sheep, ostriches, emus, wallabies, porcupines, zebras, camels, buffalo, the list goes on and on,” said Pettit Creek Farms owner June Allen. “Children from ages 1 to 100 are more than welcome. We let families move through the petting zoo at their own pace so that they can really appreciate the experience.”

Walking tours generally take about an hour to complete, and contrary to popular belief, visitors don’t have to show up with a big group to go through the farm. Families of all shapes and sizes are welcome any day of the week. Since Pettit Creek Farms is a working farm, however, they ask that visitors call ahead to let them know they’re coming and how many visitors to expect.

When visitors call ahead, extra fun and excitement can be added to any tour, including taking the tour atop a pony or camel. Golf carts can also be rented for those with limited mobility.

For those looking to make a day of their time at Pettit Creek Farms, families can join in with children’s groups visiting the farms on field trips. These groups enjoy a hay ride through the zoo, an inflatable moonwalk, a chance to build a real scarecrow and an extra opportunity to see some extra special, extra scaly exotic animals up close. Call ahead for group schedules.

“We have been doing pony rides and the petting zoo for 25 years now,” said Allen. “Our first exotic animal was Sandy the Camel who just turned 13. Visitors can see him on the tour.”

It is a $10 entry fee for adults and $8 for kids. Children under 2 are free. The cost of a bucket of feed for the animals is included in the cost of admission and the farm is stroller and wagon friendly.

For more information about Pettit Creek Farms and to reserve a time for your family to visit, call 770-386-8688. Also, for a look at some of the animals, check out the farm's website.