Lori Harris of Salt Creek Butterfly Farm is offering three nature clubs this summer! The Family Beekeeping Club sold out quickly last year so you’ll want to sign up for this one right away. Lori is also adding to her offerings this year with an Extreme Monarch Club and Giants Club. What a wonderful way to learn from an expert and amazing community resource.
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
Join the Family Beekeeping Club for a private family experience in Lori’s Western Springs backyard for a fun introduction to honeybees in the hive.
Your family will help assemble a demonstration hive as you learn about how the bees function in the hive. Put on your real beekeeping suits to open up the hive for an exciting look inside (fantastic photo op). Then taste honey right out of the hive. Yum!
You will also receive regular emails and videos showcasing whatβs going on in the hive throughout the summer. Rejoin Lori and other participating families in the fall to harvest honey as the season ends and take home a jar of honey that you harvest.
Donβt have children? The information and experience is fun for a group of up to four friends!
Family Beekeeping Club is $200 per family with limited spaces available. This experience is appropriate for ages 4 years old and up. Teens and grandparents are welcome as well.
Text Lori at (708) 601-1080 to check availability. Payments can be made with Venmo at Wildflower Honey @saltcreekbutterflyfarm, or by check made out to Salt Creek Butterfly Farm and dropped off at 4744 Woodland Avenue in Western Springs.
Extreme Monarch Club
Handraise two monarch caterpillars in a professional pop up container using native potted milkweed. (The milkweed can be planted in your garden after the experience.)Β Release your adult monarchs into the wild after they eclose approximately one month later. Your family will also be given educational materials to learn more about the process along the way.
A highlight of this experience is joining Lori for a hand-feeding experience with up to 100 monarchs that she is raising this summer at her Western Springs home! The start date is dependent on when the eggs can be collected from the wild. Appropriate for all ages including adults.
Extreme Monarch Club is $200 per family and this experience is appropriate for all ages, including adults.
Text Lori at (708) 601-1080 to check availability. Payments can be made with Venmo at Wildflower Honey @saltcreekbutterflyfarm, or by check made out to Salt Creek Butterfly Farm and dropped off at 4744 Woodland Avenue in Western Springs.
Giants Club
New this year! Receive three cocoons of native Giant Silk Moths in a professional pop up container. Possibilities include Cecropia, Luna, Promethea and Polyphemus. These spectacular night fliers live in our treetops, but we rarely see them. Compare and contrast prompts are provided in the accompanying educational materials. (It makes for a great observation and writing exercise!) Release them into the wild after they eclose. No feeding or care required, just observation.
Moths eclose about 3 weeks after you pick them up. The pick up can be arranged on your own summer schedule, but sign up is now. Appropriate for all ages including adults.
Giants Club is $70 and appropriate for all ages, including adults. Limited spaces available.Β
Text Lori at (708) 601-1080 to check availability. Payments can be made with Venmo at Wildflower Honey @saltcreekbutterflyfarm, or by check made out to Salt Creek Butterfly Farm and dropped off at 4744 Woodland Avenue in Western Springs.
Salt Creek Butterfly Farm
4744 Woodland Avenue
Western Springs, IL 60558
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