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Extra Information for Each Camp!
Those of you who have visited us during past years of Insects in the City will know just how otherworldly the humble hornworm can be. Sourced from Noah’s Ark, these velvety, vibrant torquoise caterpillars thrive on a very specific diet (how very Vancouver…)—nightshade plants, tomatoes and their leaves, which must be completely pesticide-free to keep our worms healthy.
We will create a carefully maintained aquarium habitat where they can munch, grow, and eventually transform into stunning hawk moths. Alongside our resident stick bugs, we’ll also be welcoming silkworms, crickets, king mealworms, and painted lady butterflies into our in-house ecosystem—each one offering a unique glimpse into the magic of metamorphosis.
One thing you won’t find here, though, is the gypsy moth, a species we intentionally exclude due to its destructive impact on local plant life.
Did you know?
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Hornworms can grow incredibly fast - sometimes doubling in size in just a few days!
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The hawk moth they become is a powerful flier, often mistaken for a hummingbird.
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Not all caterpillars are garden-friendly—gypsy moths, for example, can devour up to one square metre of foliage per insect.
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Silkworms have been used for thousands of years to produce silk, one of the world’s strongest natural fibers.
As many of you will know, when the sun finally makes an appearance, unpacks its bags and sets up shop for the summer, the city transforms. Things feel light and breezy, worries and stressors can at least, for the moment, be taken outside to breathe.
In Greening our Thumbs, we want to celebrate the vibrant Vancouver community garden scene. These tiny, sometimes hidden, oasis gardens are places of comfort and calm. They provided much needed escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.
They are also places of real sustenance -- the Strathcona community garden has a long established mulberry tree and is one of the few places we can source the food to sustain our silk worms here at the Lyceum.
Get in on the action, find your closest garden here and sign up for your own little slice of heaven.
As if you needed another reason to enroll, we will also be introducing your child to the enchanting world of moss painting.
This type of living art finds a way to bridge the natural world with the sometimes stuffier realm of indoor galleries.
Grab a coffee, pull up a pew, and dive deeper into the world of moss graffiti.
Painting with Moss
Did you know you can make eco-friendly paint using moss and yogurt? Blend a handful of moss with plain yogurt or buttermilk until it forms a thick, green paste. Brush it onto stone, brick, or wood—and with a bit of moisture and patience, the moss will start to grow. It’s a creative way to turn surfaces into living art, combining nature and imagination!
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There’s something almost prehistoric about the journey these bones take before they arrive at our dinosaur dig. Gathered from beautiful Saturna Island, each bone has already passed through a fascinating natural “cleaning crew” worthy of its own food chain.
Out on the mountain ridges and around old farmyard bone piles, birds of prey descend in a remarkable predator hierarchy. Eagles always claim the finest pickings first, followed by turkey vultures and hawks, then ravens, and finally the crows. Over the long days of summer, the sun bleaches the bones smooth and pale while these incredible scavengers carefully strip them clean.
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These are the very bones our young paleontologists will uncover during their staged beach excavation — real remnants shaped by wind, weather, wildlife, and time, waiting to tell their next story.
If we’ve left you wanting more, then check out this article from the Smithsonian magazine of the top 10 dinosaur discoveries of 2025.
Dinosaur bone from Gulf Islands identified
30 years after discovery
Invasive Species: Good, Bad or Inevitable?
Across this week, campers will help with invasive plant pulls, learning how species like purple loosestrife can quietly overtake marshes and crowd out the native plants that local birds, pollinators, and amphibians rely on.
We’ll dive into one of the Pacific Northwest’s tastiest mysteries — blackberries. While those sprawling Himalayan blackberry bushes may seem like a summer staple, they’re actually an aggressive invasive species introduced from Europe. With several different kinds growing across the Lower Mainland, you might become a confident responder to the most pertinent of questions: do you know your blackberries?
Clearing Out Invasive Blackberries
Trailing Blackberry and Himalayan Blackberry:
Native vs. Invasive
Moving parts: Driving from Above
The word galimoto means “car” in Chichewa, the official language of Malawi. However, these push toys crafted from wire and other recycled materials can take the form of trucks, birds, and animal friends riding bicycles, pushing the limits of your child's imagination!
Trash truly becomes treasure as these creations come to life, highlighting the importance of using what we have.
The Timothy S. Y. Lam Museum of Anthropology has a fantastic article on the history and origin of galimotos. Click here to read!
Treasure Hunting with Joshua
Roald Dahl has penned many literary heavy hitters, but there are some hidden gems that remain relatively undiscovered.
The Mildenhall Treasure is a captivating piece that explores a monumental historical find.
Turn this fictional foray into a real life treasure hunt, with head searcher and resident valuables expert Joshua.
See for yourself the wonders that lie mere millimeters beneath our feet with history’s top ten treasure discoveries: