Lori Harris of Salt Creek Butterfly Farm and Apiaries is offering three nature clubs this summer! The experiences that she provides are always so special and tend to sell out early, so you’ll definitely want to check these out: Family Beekeeping Club, Native Illinois Butterfly Rearing Club, and Luna Love Club. These clubs are low commitment and super high reward.
We love having such an expert and amazing resource in our community! All of the following clubs fill on a first come first serve basis, so be sure to read all the way through for all the details!
Family Beekeeping Club
Come on out for a private family visit to the Western Springs backyard honeybee hives. Suit up in adorable beekeeper suits, veils and gloves for a protected look inside a bustling hive.
Salt Creek Butterfly Farm and Apiaries will put together a demonstration hive to first get an idea of how the hive functions, then they will lift the lid on the real thing – busy bees at work! It’ll be the highlight of your summer – your kids won’t stop talking about it. And you’ll get some great photos in bee suits! This is a 1 hour visit, appropriate for ages 4 and up. Teens also love this experience!
To round out the season, you’re invited back in the fall for Honey Harvest Day. Bottle and take home your own 1 lb. jar of honey or try the old-fashioned crush and strain method. Either way the honey is fresh and delicious! This is a 1 hour return visit.
Family Beekeeping Club is $225. To register, text Lori at (708) 601-1080.
Native Illinois Butterfly Rearing Club
Very different than commercially available butterfly rearing experiences! We provide your family with either native Illinois monarchs or black swallowtail caterpillars (your choice) and their natural host plants – milkweed or parsley.
You’ll watch the hungry little caterpillars grow from the size of an eyelash to the size of your child’s little finger on a fresh, potted native plant. Then it will form a chrysalis and finally emerge as a full-grown adult.
All you need to do is water your host plant and watch the transformations! Your kit will contain educational materials and the zippered net container to house your little guys.
Transformation from caterpillar to butterfly is approximately 1 month. Ongoing support is readily available by text or email. Don’t forget to make a wish as you release your new butterflies into the wild!
Native Illinois Butterfly Rearing Club is $165 for the kit and educational materials. $50 for refills. To register, text Lori at (708) 601-1080.
Luna Love Club
New this year! These sublime Giant Silk Moths exist in the treetops of our own backyards, yet we rarely see them. This club provides participants with three Luna Moth Cocoons in a professional netted butterfly raising container.
The highlight is the emergence of the elegant, lime green beauties which you release into the wild with a wish or good intention. These beauties are otherworldly and a remarkable surprise to witness.
Luna Love Club is $90. To register, text Lori at (708) 601-1080.
Salt Creek Butterfly Farm
Western Springs, IL 60558
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