Butterfly Release at ER Dickson

Every spring for the last 3 years, the children at ER Dickson raise, hatch and release butterflies in May. This year we had the most butterflies ever. The caterpillars come FEDEX in plastic cups with food patties. As the caterpillars mature, they climb to a "coffee filter" paper on the top of the cup and hang upside down. Then they spin their cocoon and do their thing. When all the caterpillars are in their cocoons, the filter papers are hung in tents outside. The tents cover our outdoor gardens filled with all kind of butterfly friendly plants.
When the butterflies hatch, they are ready for release.

I took Owen into the tent to see the butterflies.

After he realized I wouldn't let him eat any of the butterflies or plants, his interest decrease dramatically.


When it is time for the release, the children come outside and sit around the tent.

Then teachers and parents carefully drop the sides of the tent and the butterflies take flight.








And what was Owen doing during this amazing experience, well first he got his brother to take him on the playground.


And then he got Miss Susan to play ball with him. A big cart full of pretty balls, that is Owen's idea of an amazing experience.