Media Advisory: Hokie BugCamp 2021
Media outlets are invited as budding entomologists ages 9-13 years will get hands-on experience collecting, identifying, handling, and pinning a wide variety of insects.
Media outlets are invited to cover Virginia Tech’s Hokie BugCamp, July 30 & 31, 2021
What: Hokie BugCamp returns for a 7th season – keeping campers and volunteers safe by combining an outdoor bug hunt with take-home Hokie BugBoxes.
Budding entomologists ages 9-13 years will get hands-on experience collecting, identifying, handling, and pinning a wide variety of insects with Virginia Tech graduate students, faculty, and staff in the woods and open areas of Heritage Park in Blacksburg.* Entomology activity kits will be available for campers to extend their bug study and build their own insect collections at home. Campers will be invited to submit their collections to the Insect Collection Contest at Hokie BugFest in October 2021.
*CDC and local COVID-19 guidelines will be followed.
When:
• Friday, July 30, 2021 (10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.)
• Saturday, July 31, 2021 (10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.)
Location: Heritage Park, 2300 Glade Rd., Blacksburg, VA
Visuals:
• Hands-on collecting: With nets in hand, young entomologists will learn how to collect and identify insects, where to look for hard-to-find critters, and how to scoop and transfer specimens.
• Insect pinning and ID: Once collecting jars are full, campers will learn how to pin, label, and display their insects as they begin to build their own collections.
• Learning from the experts: Virginia Tech graduate students, faculty, and staff will be on-hand to help these budding entomologists hone their skills.
• Summer scavenger hunt: While on their bug hunt, campers (and younger siblings) will be challenged to find a list of our region’s most common summer critters.
• Insect trading post: A chance for campers to share what they find and trade with others to build variety in what they take home. Additional specimens from the Virginia Tech Department of Entomology will be on-hand for observation or trade as well.
• Hokie BugBoxes: Take-home entomology kits will be available for purchase ($60 ea.). Each box includes a camp shirt + everything campers need to continue their study and build their own insect collections at home (collecting net, viewing jar, ID guides, pining supplies, display box, access to special online activities, and more).
• Insect Collection Contest: Campers will be invited to continue building their collections through the summer, and enter them in the Insect Collection Contest at Hokie BugFest this fall! (Collections from previous years will be on display.)
Sponsors: Sponsored by the Virginia Tech Department of Entomology, Virginia Tech Pesticide Programs, and Virginia Cooperative Extension 4-H.
For news coverage, contact: Dana Beegle, Department of Entomology – 540-250-6588 or 540-231-6543.
Additional information and registration: hokiebugcamp.org
