While some kids may have been acting like vegetables this summer, 64 children have been outside getting down and dirty learning about gardening, plants and flowers, insects and the environment.

These kids, ranging in age from seven to 13 took part in the Bermuda Botanical Society's "Botany Camp'' at the Botanical Gardens.

The camp separated into three age groups each that ran for two weeks between the first of July and August 16.

It was established almost ten years ago and was sponsored this year by the Bermuda Botanical Society, which aims to encourage and support the botanical sciences within the community and promote further development of the Botanical Gardens and the Arboretum.

A typical day at "Bot Camp'' begins with a morning of gardening, including planting, weeding, watering and replanting.

Camp director Francis Eddy said the classes took on various growing projects and were very successful with them.

One of the most remarkable gardens planted by the nine to ten-year-old group was a colourful garden in the shape of a butterfly with a border of salvias, string beans for wings and a marigold centre.

Other classes experimented with vertical gardens, row gardening and even planted a milkweed garden to attract live butterflies.

The 11- to 13-year-old group replanted the younger groups' plants to try raised bed gardening which is used to conserve space and stop people stepping on the soil.

For this project, the class was divided in half in order to compare the success of their different gardening skills and techniques.

In the afternoon the children learned about a specific topic, for example carnivorous plants, indigenous and native plants, plant uses and insects.

And their studies did not restrict them to the Botanical Gardens.

The camp took various field trips all around the island. Lexi Tatem, 12, told The Royal Gazette that they during their excursions they examined "animal life in different habitats''.

Their trips have included visits to Hungry Bay, Walsingham Caves and one with beekeeper Randolph Furbert. There's also been time for some swimming trips.

They have also had a number of guest speakers such as Elizabeth Parker of the Garden Club who came to teach them about flower arranging.

Jason Bento, 11, said the camp "has been a fun way to learn.'' And the teachers have enjoyed the fun learning atmosphere also. Assistant teacher, Jennifer Bento who has a degree in biology and is presently working for her Master's degree in microbiology at the University of North Carolina, noted the awareness that grew in the children over their time at the camp.

"It is more than just coming here and singing songs and having fun, they start to notice things going on around them. They look at nature more closely,'' she said.

Virginia DeSilva, the head teacher of the camp who recently returned from the Dominican Republic where she worked in environment education and has a Masters Degree in outdoor education, said: "Some have a real love for gardening. For example one boy, told me today that he has planted a dozen things on his own at home.'' Mrs. Eddy said one mother told her that since Botany Camp her son has showed all the other kids in the neighbourhood how to plant things.

Sarah West, 12, said: "It has been a challenge for some people that don't know about gardening. I usually help my mother garden around the house.'' The camp also encourages the children to enter their plants, flowers and vegetables in the annual Agricultural Exhibition that takes place at the Botanical Gardens in April.