Nylander to host two weeks of bug-themed activities and events

5 years ago

CARIBOU, Maine — The Nylander museum is gearing up for two weeks of their “Bugging You” event, which focuses on teaching kids all about insects.

Bugging You will take place July 15-27 and the museum will host a plethora of activities such as crafts, a scavenger hunt, bee house and butterfly puddler samples along with activity handouts for projects kids can make at home. These activities will be taking place 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 1-3 p.m. Sunday.

Additionally, two “mini camps” will be held 1-3 p.m. each Monday (July 15 and 22), both of which are set to feature unique activities and guest speakers. Jim Dwyer of University of Maine at Presque Isle’s agricultural program will speak to students on the 15th, and during this event kids will go outside and look for bugs to examine up close and possibly under one of the museum’s microscopes. 

The next mini camp will feature Randy Martin of the Central Aroostook Soil and Water Conservation District, who has years of beekeeping experience, will speak to the kids about bees and give a presentation featuring hives and a beekeeping suit.

Goodwill VISTA interns Jada Molton and Stephenie Bragg are primarily responsible for organizing this year’s event, along with the help of Nylander board members. Molton said they went over activities featured during last year’s “Bugging You” events with board member Carol Wolfington as part of the planning process.

“We also brainstormed new activities such as bugs in amber soap,” Molton said. “I created a schedule starting with our featured speakers and added activities from there.”

Molton added that members of the community have also helped with the event by donating materials and even bugs for the upcoming weeks.