School may be out for the summer, but local students are still finding ways to continue educational activities during the vacation months.

Bath Elementary School is giving its students and local residents the opportunity to explore nature firsthand with the installment of a butterfly garden a couple of weeks ago.

Debra Torrence, one of the leaders of the project, said in an email that many organizations were involved in the process of making the garden a reality, including Bath Garden Club, Bath Community Library and Girl Scout Troop 3556.

She said the garden was created to help the elementary students with math and science concepts and also as a source of enjoyment for the community.

Brian Swain, principal at Bath Elementary, said the garden has been in the works since August 2014 and is a good educational tool for the teachers to use.

He said the project was made possible after the school applied and was awarded a Lowes Education Toolbox grant and was given donations of plants and benches.

“One of the goals of this is to be able to teach kids,” Swain said. “I can foresee the younger grades really getting into it more.”

Torrence said the school was also awarded funds for a new fence along N.C. Highway 92 and other outdoor art activities.

Hope Woolard, who leads Girl Scout Troop 3556, said Torrence reached out to her for help with the installation.

“The girls actually came up with the design,” she said. “We’re always looking for community service opportunities.”

Several members of the community also came to help the Girl Scouts with the garden as temperatures continued to rise well into the 90s, Woolard said.

She said the girls, many of who attend the elementary school, helped to plant a variety of foliage, including butterfly bushes, lemon grass and daisies.

Swain said the plan now is to keep the garden watered and maintained, a job with which Woolard said the Girl Scouts intend to help.

“We are certainly grateful,” Swain said. “I think it’s added a lot.”