We all had an amazing time when High Tech Middle Media Arts
(HTMMA) students came to the Ranch to study bugs! This school has a 2-week
intensive study and 35 kids chose to research Entomology (the science of
bugs). The teachers and kids ages 12-14
arrived nice and early armed with butterfly nets, jars, digging gear and a bit
of ether to knock the bugs out. What a
day we had hunting for our multi-legged and winged creatures. They also caught and released many frogs,
lizards, and even a baby garden snake.
The night was perfect for roasting marshmallows and making
Doughies (cooking a poppin’ fresh biscuit over the fire on a stick and then
filling it with chocolate and whipped cream on top!) Yummy! Then they set up a night capture net with a
black light to attract the bugs. We told
stories, watched a movie, and then called it a night as the group slipped into
dreamland…
The next day everyone excitedly sorted and mounted their
displays and by the afternoon the group was off. They returned to Point Loma to
send the kid’s home, with memories of the great times they had together and,
with a bag of bugs! It is so wonderful,
as a parent, to be at the Hidden Valley Retreat with our children and their
friends to enjoy the country and our magical gardens. This wonderful property
is a great place to experience nature so don’t let the bugs…bug you!
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| Lizard found on the property |
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| Let's find some bugs! |
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| Butterfly catching time! |
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| Making Doughies.....yum! |
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| Researching bugs |
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