Entomology Summer Camps - Register Now!

2018 Entomology Summer Camps are now open for registration and filling up fast!  

Three dates and three payment options for returning campers!

New Campers (and returners who need a new kit, net and bag) - $125
Returners who need a new kit, but have the net and bag) - $100
Returners who have everything (I will replace pins and vials and killing solution) - $75

Register at http://agriliferegister.tamu.edu/BexarCounty

2013 Bug Camp Registration

We are now accepting registrations for the 2013 Bug Camps!

Two camps will be offered (please only choose one).  July 15-19 and July 22-25.  Times are 9am to 1pm.  We will provide two snacks, but no lunch.  If your child has special dietary needs or is a picky eater, you are welcome to bring a snack along.

This camp is for ages 7 and up.  If you happen to have a younger budding scientist or entomologist, we are now offering a Tots Science Camp option.  Click here for registration and further information.  This is a short, 2 hour day.  Parents of young children are invited and strongly encouraged to stay.  We will have a lesson, hands on activity, snack and experiment that is age appropriate.  Ages 2-5/6 are invited.  Cost is $20 per session and we have two sessions planned - BUGS! June 14th and PLANTS! June 28th.  If you need more information on the camps and what we'll be doing, please contact us at 210-467-6575.

If your camper has attended camp before, we have two options for you.  If your child has kept all the materials from their kit and does not need a new one, the cost is $50.  This also includes more killing solution (ethyl acetate), vials, and pins - the things they likely have used up if they have been collecting.

If your child is like most, and has lost many of the items in their kit, EXCEPT their net, the cost is $75 and includes a new collection box with labels, label pen, killing jars, killing solution dropper bottle, magnifying glass, spreading board, pinning block and collection box.  It will NOT include the net or forceps.

Of course, if you want an entire new kit with a new net, just indicate on the registration form.

Click here for a registration form for the Entomology Youth Camp.

If you have any questions at all, contact Molly at 210-467-6575 or mekeck@ag.tamu.edu

2013 Bug Camp Dates!!!

Announcing 2013's Summer Bug Camp Dates!  Mark your calendars - registration forms will be available in February.

July 15-18  & July 22-25

Please only register for one camp to give everyone a chance to attend.  Both camps will do the same activities and lessons.

Cost will be remain $100 for new campers, and $50 for returning campers who do not need a new kit.  

There will be a new option for returning campers that have lost the items in their kits (forceps, collection booklet, butterfly envelopes, non-running pen, killing solution droppers, spreading board, pinning block, magnifying glass, collection jars, and collecting box).  If you need a new box, the cost is $75.  This does NOT include the net. 

Get ready for another fun bug camp in 2013!  Hope to see you all there!

50 New Entomologists in the World ....

                                           

Bug Camps have concluded for the 2012 Summer, and 50 new little entomologists are out in the world!  We hosted two camps this summer and filled up each one with 25 kids.  Unfortunately, its getting so popular, we actually had to turn people away this summer.  Does this mean we'll need to open a third camp next year?  I don't know, but I'll need to start taking some energy vitamins if so!

This year our theme was about adaptations.  Campers learned different adaptations insects have to live better in their worlds, such as: raptorial legs for catching prey, mouthpart variations, wings with lots of veins for long flights, big eyes and short antennae for predators, stingers as modified ovipositors, and much more!  After many adaptations lessons, campers got to build their own insect and describe them and what they do based on their adaptations.  The kids were amazingly clever - each and every one!

We also performed experiments, including some dissections this year. We dissected crawfish and grasshoppers and discovered the differences between the two arthropods and got a peak at the insides of the animals.  I believe we may have discovered some future surgeons and medical examiners with that experiment!

It was a fantastic time for all - camp leaders, volunteers, and campers alike!  As always, the campers learned more than they can even imagine and I hope they continue their enthusiasm for their sciences like they did for this camp!

Registration Forms Ready!

We are currently taking registrations for the 2012 Bug Camp(s). If you would like to register, please email me at mekeck@ag.tamu.edu and I will forward you the registration form.

2012 Bug Camp

If you or your child is interested in insects, arachnids, nature, or science - this will be a camp they will love. In four years, we have never had a camper leave camp who didn't have a great time.

Bug (or Entomology) Camp is a 4, half day long camp for ages 7 and up. Campers are grouped together in labs or teams based on age, so if you have a young or older camper, they will not feel out of place. This allows us to modify the activities and experiments to be more age appropriate and personalized.

This summer (2012), we will hold two camps to accommodate growing interest in our camp.
July 16-19 & July 23-26 from 9am to 1:30pm.
Please only sign up for one camp, and if there is space, you may sign up for both (however, the material covered will be the same). For more information about camp, keep reading!

During Bug Camp, campers become junior entomologist and complete a 4-H project. They will learn all there is to know about bugs, and come home with more information that you can imagine. Our goal in this camp is to get kids excited about nature and science and use a topic that most kids find fascinating.

Not only will campers learn about entomology, they will collect insects and put together an insect collection, perform experiments with insects, and activities all related to insects. Campers will receive a collection kit, which contains a collection box, foreceps, killing jars, killing solution, net, insect pins, labels, spreading board (for spreading wings), pinning block, magnifying glass, and collection bag. These collection kits are the envy of any college student taking an entomology course!

I don't want to spoil the surprise of the experiments, but they are performed with termites, bess beetles, millipedes, and possible some insect dissections. Campers will learn about general entomology, lifecycles, insect mouthparts, identifying insects, and much more.

Camp is lead by Molly Keck, entomologist with Texas AgriLife Extension Service in Bexar County. In addition, volunteers help make camp very one on one. Our goal is to have a ratio of at least 1 camp leader to 4 campers.

If you are interested in coming to Bug Camp, please download the registration form and send it in! We hope to see you at bug camp!

Who Hosts Bug Camp?

Bug Camp is hosted by Texas AgriLife Extension Service in Bexar County. Molly Keck is the entomologist with Texas AgriLife, and she is the camp leader. If you are not familiar with Extension, we are federally, state, and county funded educational agency. Our mission is to provide relevant, quality outreach programs and services to the public. Educational programs of AgriLife Extension are open to all people without regard to socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, disability, religion, age, or national origin.

AgriLife Extension is part of the A&M System, and we like to say we take research based information from the university level and turn it into useful information for you in your everyday lives. Whether that be at what temperature food should be stored, how to irrigate your lawn properly, or how to manage fire ants.

In Bexar County, we have several program areas that provide educational programs. These include: entomology and pest management, horticulture, agriculture, natural resources, family and consumer sciences, health and nutrition, and 4-H youth development. We provide educational seminar to the public, come speak to various schools and youth organizations, community and civic groups, clubs, and provide information to professionals and via the media.

For more information about Texas AgriLife Extension, visit these websites:
http://agrilife.org
http://bexar-tx.tamu.edu