In 2002 Mari Gruber’s family owned a building that was falling apart and used for storage. Then something magical happened when her sister sent her to a seminar about raising butterflies.

Gruber, an artist and substitute teacher for children with special needs, saw a gap in serving people with challenges and fell in love with learning about butterflies. She began raising butterflies to try to raise money to help people with challenges.

The Bear Creek Butterfly Sanctuary began as a book signing by renowned butterfly expert Rick Mikula drew a crowd of 1,200 on opening weekend. Business had been booming ever since with visitors from around the world.

Initially the sanctuary was open a couple days a week then people started calling wanting to bring school classes to learn about butterflies and other small creatures. All staff learn the science of butterflies and are trained to answer all questions related to the live exhibits.

Gruber’s mission is to “connect children to the natural world as many have “nature deficit disorder.” Things changed drastically during COVID. Although the facility was closed in 2020, they did curbside promotions, giving out caterpillar hatching kits and future tickets to the sanctuary. During this time the Amish built an outdoor pavilion with new picnic tables where activities could be done. Approximately 2,000 children go to the sanctuary each season for a curriculum-based program.

The “Fluttertarium” inside is a large room housing monarch butterflies, which are flying free all over the room. Visitors have an opportunity to feed the butterflies and get up close with the butterflies, which often land on the visitors.

There are seven species of butterflies including monarchs, painted ladies, zebra swallowtails and malachites. The butterflies are fed a mixture of sugar water and nectar as well as Gatorade as they need electrolytes. The caterpillars are fed milkweed. In order to keep the butterflies moving the room is kept at a temperature of 70 to 72 degrees.

There are also interactive shows and special programs held which can be found on the event calendar. Various programs are held at the sanctuary on “Super Sundays.”

The sanctuary had exotic frogs for 15 years but due to COVID they are no longer being raised. Gruber went on a search for reptiles to have at the sanctuary. She partnered with the Reptile Depot in Whitehall to borrow several reptiles for the season. This includes mud frogs, lizards and turtles. There are also several axolotls, which can regrow any body part.

Gruber wants “kids to connect to the earth and be invested in protecting the world.” Kids can take a pledge to agree to take care of the earth and receive a sticker that says “I learned to be an earth steward.”

About the sanctuary

The Butterfly Sanctuary is located at 18 Church Road, Jim Thorpe

Admission is $10 for ages 3-12 and seniors, $11 adults

Hours are Thursday-Monday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Tuesday and Wednesday 2-6 p.m.

Thursdays are grandparents day; grandparents are free with one paid grandchild admission. The museum season ends Aug. 28.

Day care is held on Tuesday mornings, which needs booking in advance.