Care for and release monarch butterflies with seniors at two different assisted living facilities – Newcastle Place and Deerwood Crossing. Kids will have the opportunity to learn about and provide weekly care to monarchs in all phases of life while interacting with seniors to develop organic intergenerational relationships.

Families can register for one or multiple dates:

• – July 22
• – Jul 29
• – August 5
• – August 12
• – August 14
• – August 19
• – August 26
• – August 28

Activities

Visit your assigned assisted living center once per week (you pick the day)! Family jobs include: providing milkweed to habitat as needed, interacting with senior residents and staff (point out the new/growing caterpillars, explain what you are doing), cleaning the monarch habitat, removing frass and limp/moldy leaves, checking each leaf for baby caterpillars before you discard them, and when the butterflies are ready to be set free, families and seniors will share the joyful experience of releasing them into the wild. Sometimes the butterflies will even sit on your finger for several minutes before flying away!

Impact

Through this fun activity, seniors and families will get to engage in conversations and foster not only butterflies but relationships. Memories will be created that will last a long time!

When & Where

Sessions are scheduled between July 22 and August 28 so families and seniors can share in the whole monarch life cycle. Habitats will be established at two assisted living communities with visiting hours between 1:30 and 2:30 p.m.

Newcastle Place, 12600 N Port Washington Rd, Mequon, WI 53092

Deerwood Crossing, 4195 W Bradley Rd, Milwaukee, WI 53209

Registration Information

Participant Cap: 12 participants

Age: 3+

Cost: Free

Materials: You do not need to bring any supplies or materials with you. Kathy will provide fresh milkweed, along with new caterpillars, and supplies for maintaining the habitat.

Questions: Please contact Kathy at [email protected] with any questions.

Cancellations: We count on our registered volunteers to make these projects come to life. However, we understand illness and emergencies do come up so if you can no longer participate, please email me at [email protected] ASAP so we can fill your spot.

Our Partners

Newcastle Place is a senior living community in Mequon and has had a Monarch habitat for several years.

Deerwood Crossing is a Residential Care Apartment Complex (RCAC) located in Brown Deer and is part of Jewish Family Services, a non-profit organization committed to supporting low-income seniors in the community.