Fun at a Butterfly Farm

Almost time for another season at All-a-Flutter Butterfly Farm in High Point, NC. Saturday, April 18, 2009 will be the first family day. The butterfly farm is home to an outstanding program protecting the monarch butterfly and educating the general public to its life cycle and the need to preserve and protect our beautiful butterflies. You can attend on Family Days (Saturdays from 10 - 11am) or contact the farm for reservations. Located off Clinard Farms Road in High Point, the farm is easily accessible from the Sandy Ridge Road exit at Interstate 40.

Guests to the farm will pay $5 - $6 admission, or a slightly reduced rate for groups, with teachers and bus drivers receiving free admission. Upon arrival, gather at the presentation area where you will be taught the life cycle of a monarch butterfly in a very lively and entertaining way. Children thrill to become an active part of the presentation. About twenty minutes later, you will be ready to visit the flight house. Depending on the size of the group, you may have to do this in stages, with each group of about 12-15 having 15 minutes in the flight house.

The flight house is amazing. A simple 20 x 48 foot structure houses beautiful plants, a serene fountain, benches, and various life cycle stages of the monarch butterfly. Each person is given a small white circle of cloth that is moist with sugar water. As you stroll through, butterflies will land on your circle and sometimes on your clothing and in your hair. Bright colors attract them, and those little circles draw them to you. Guides teach you the safe way to scoop up one and you get a close up look at a monarch butterfly.

Everyone, young and old, is amazed and enjoys the experience. Your time in the flight house ends quickly, but your fun is not over. You can enjoy a picnic lunch on the grounds and during warm weather, cool off playing in the misting tent. Other childrens' activities are usually set up also, or you are welcome to bring some simple outdoor games if you have a large group and will have to wait for everyone to get a turn in the flight house.

Life Cycle kits are available for purchase at $10 each, but the farm staff ask that you call a couple days ahead to let them know how many to have prepared. All-a-Flutter Butterfly Farm can help you plan butterfly releases for weddings, memorial services and parties also. For more details about the farm and to plan your visit, check out their website at www.all-a-flutter.com Remember that all Family Days and reservations are subject to the weather. During rainy weather, the flight house is not in use.