MONROE COUNTY, Pa. — Through the trails and fields on the property at Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center near Bartonsville, there are bugs everywhere you look.
"Bugs, although people are creeped out by them, they are actually really interesting, and they are very important for our environment. So they are nothing we need to be scared of, really, they are actually fascinating and fun to learn about," said environmental educator Colleen Lidon
That's why Kettle Creek celebrates Bug Fest every year: to give kids an up-close experience with the creatures that live in the Poconos.
"Participants can come and explore in our building and outdoor stations, where it's full of informational stations and activities, crafts, things like that, all focused on bugs," said Lidon.
Activities include insect safaris, a butterfly tent, live insects, insect collections, painting with maggots, and games.
The wall of the center is filled with bugs all caught in Monroe County. While those bugs once flew and crawled, educators say other critters like to hang out in other places you can learn about this weekend.
"One of our stations is focused on aquatic insects; a lot of people don't know that there are actually bugs that live underwater in the pond or stream, and they are actually indicators of water quality. So if you go out into a stream and flip rocks and find different insects there, you can figure out if the water is clean," explained Lidon.
Bug Fest kicks off this Saturday. There are 2 sessions, one in the morning, from 9:30 am-12 pm, or the afternoon session from 12:30 pm - 3:00 pm.
"This is for 3-12 year old's. Younger siblings can come along for free, and parents can attend for free as well," said Lidon.
Since space is limited, educators at Kettle Creek ask you to pre-register for Bug Fest. The cost is $5 per child.
To register, call the Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center at (570) 629-3061.