Students' butterfly house business is busy as a bee

It might be he has a good product to sell or that he’s just too cute to say no to. Whatever the reason, Cody White has sold more butterfly houses than anyone else in the fourth grade of the Walton 21st Century Rural Life Center.

“Sometimes I talk about the project and people just want one,” White said.

The butterfly houses are a class project — with orders surpassing all expectations. Teacher Derrick Richling said he expected to sell two or three per class member — not to have 80 orders and counting.

The butterfly houses, which come in multiple colors and are hand stenciled by students, cost $13. The class will mount them on a pole for an additional $2.

The class project was the brainchild of students. They read a book about kids their age who learned to run a business. They pitched the idea of selling butterfly houses to Richling, who worked the project into the curriculum.

“Math and science are huge parts of our classroom,” Richling said. “They have learned to measure, calculate how much wood we need for each house, track books and use a checking account.”

The class also had to find start-up money. They did that by researching butterflies, the cost of construction of the houses and creating a business plan before asking for a loan.

After making a presentation to businessman Bill Budde, they secured $28 in start-up funds. They also were able to get materials donated from Hague Paint and J.S. Lumber.

“This has been a learning experience for everyone,” Richling said.

Funds from the project will be used to purchase Wii remotes. Richling bought the school a Wii after being named a Horizon Award winner last year.

“We may have enough to also buy a Wii Fit,” Richling said. “Any leftover will be given to local charity.”

Which means more research, as students will research local charities and how to give to them.

Orders for the butterfly houses are due Friday. To order call the school at (620) 837-3161. The class is working feverishly to fulfill orders they already have taken.

“I’ve learned how to run a business,” Kadin McBee said. “It’s been really fun.”