Night Lighting
This activity is more observation oriented and should probably be used for small, quiet groups before a sleep out. However, it really emphasizes biodiversity quite well in very small area.
Simply hang a large white
cloth, either on a fence or in the trees and illuminate it with large lights to
attract night insects. A few
floodlights, a fluorescent tube if you have one, and a
black light should work well for the activity.
The bright white lights apparently attract the insects and the black
light serves to hold them on sheet for some reason. Set the apparatus up before nightfall and
turn on all the lights just as the sun is going down. Plan to wait for about an hour before taking
campers to investigate the findings.
Approach quietly and make sure
that the campers know not to look directly at the lights, especially not at the
black lights. Ask the campers to try to
count how many different species of insects they can find on the sheet. Provide field guides for campers who might be
interested in identifying some of the insects.
Once activity has settled a bit, discuss the amazing diversity of
insects with the campers. How incredible
and creative the mind of God must be in order to create everything that they
see before them!