CORNER BROOK — There were bugs under rocks, in the stream and flying around everywhere, but they didn't seem to bother the children in the Week of Wonders activity camp at Grenfell Campus, Memorial University of Newfoundland.
Thursday was A Bug's Life day at the week-long camp and the kids took to the great outdoors to do some bug catching.
Armed with nets, petri dishes and specimen containers, they scoured the area around the Participark and came back with loads of bugs, from slimy slugs and snails to carpenters, beetles and flies.
"I like bugs," said eight-year-old Charlotte Sweetapple, one of 26 children enrolled in the camp.
"I like spiders, and little jumping bugs, I like them, too."
After collecting about 10 insects, Sweetapple was anxious to get back inside the college to get a closer look at them under a microscope.
Sweetapple said she wanted to sign up for the camp "cause it sounded really fun."
She participated last year and liked everything about it.
Emily Noel, 8, is also a repeat camper, and like Sweetapple, found it really fun.
She said she didn't mind digging in the dirt and picking the bugs up and had fun using the nets to catch the crawling bugs.
"I like hoppers," she said referring to those jumping bugs that Sweetapple mentioned when asked what her favourite bug was.
Her reason: "I don't know."
While collecting the insects was fun, Noel said her favourite part of the camp took place on Monday when the group made cupcakes.
"We all got in the same bowl and took turns," said camp co-ordinator Mark Hillier. "Someone beat the eggs, someone added the oil."
Hillier said the Week of Wonders is set up so the kids get to explore a different theme each day of the week.
On Monday it was bon appétit day which featured a presentation on nutrition.
"We learned about what you should and shouldn't be eating and then we broke the rules and made cupcakes," said Hillier.
Tuesday was firefighter day where the children learned how to stop, drop and roll. Firefighters with the Corner Brook Fire Department also dropped by and the kids completed an obstacle course and some ran some relay races.
Wednesday was environment day which focused on composting and water conservation.
The week will wrap up today with space cadet day. The kids will get to launch some rockets and check out the college's new telescope.
