New WestMO Bug Camp Offers Summer Opportunity for High School Students

Dogwood Forest Habitat in Prairie Garden Trust

A limited number of high school students who love to be outside and possess a spirit of adventure have an exciting opportunity to participate in a new summer program at Westminster College.

Westmo Bug Camp, a five-day educational day camp on June 25-29 will provide high school students grades 11-12 and incoming college freshmen the opportunity to explore the fascinating world of insects. 

Students in the camp will observe insects in the field, collect and curate their own specimens, and learn basic entomological techniques and fundamental biological concepts.

They will explore a wide range of habitats at the Prairie Garden Trust, a large expanse of hundreds of acres of beautiful nature garden property near New Bloomfield, Missouri. 

“Those who enroll will get to spend a week outside, having fun and meeting new people, while they learn something new and fascinating,” says Dr. Gabe McNett, Associate Professor of Biology and director of the camp. “Those who are planning to enroll at Westminster will be able to develop ideas for future independent research projects.” 

The camp will meet daily from 8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. and students will be responsible for packing their own lunch and beverage every day.

Participants will receive an insect collecting kit, field guide, notebook, light snacks daily, and a camp t-shirt.

Enrollment is limited to 12 students.

Cost for all materials and instruction is $250 for the week, and registration closes June 1.

Those interested in registering or wanting more information should contact Dr. McNett at 573-592-5395 or at westmobugs@westminster-mo.edu or visit the WestMO Bug Camp web page.