These comments were overheard during the Desert Detectives Critter Camp, held June 20th-24th at Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge. Twenty-four six- to eight-year-olds learned about deserts through hands-on activities, games, and observations.

Participants had fun while learning about a wide variety of topics, from what defines a desert (and why southwest Idaho is one) to adaptations that help plants and animals survive in the desert to how to be a good wildlife steward.

Initiating a summer day camp was one of the responsibilities of Lauren Giebler, an Americorps volunteer at the refuge. Offerings are expected to be expanded in summer 2006.