While a toy octopus with six arms named Gilmore may have stolen the hearts and, occasionally, the attention of kids at the Nature Explorers’ camp this week, they also got a great introduction to Mattapoisett waters and the wildlife that lives in it.

Co-sponsored by Mattapoisett Recreation and the Marion Natural History Museum, the camp gave kids the opportunity to hitch a ride with the harbormaster, visit an oyster farm and slosh through salt marshes and mud flats in the name of education.

Museum curator and Mattapoisett Conservation Agent Elizabeth Leidhold lead the Nature Explorers. Although it was the first one in Mattapoisett, she has held a similar week-long camp in Marion for almost 15 years.

“I just really really like working with kids,” said Leidhold. “I like introducing them to the environment and natural resources.”

Nine intrepid explorers, in grades two through six, attended the camp.

Anna Keene and her cousin Michael Keene had great reasons for signing up.

“I’m like the best explorer there is,” said Anna.

“I like nature a lot, so I just decided to come,” said Michael.

The week started at Ned’s Point by learning how to use nets to catch aquatic animals. The group also played some icebreakers, including one with Leidhold’s plush octopus toy, Gilmore, that the kids talked about for the rest of the week.

“Gilmore is amazing!” one kid said.

The group didn’t find any real octopus during the week, but they did net crabs, jellyfish, minnows, pipefish and even puffer fish. The striped mummy chug was also a favorite.

The kids also captured aquatic invertebrates (water bugs) at the herring weir and looked at them under microscopes at Old Hammondtown School before putting them back in the water.

“Everybody made it back alive,” said Leidhold.

One day the kids got a lesson in aquaculture from Bob Field, who has an oyster farm in the bay. Another day Harbormaster Jill Simmons took the kids on a boat tour of Mattapoisett Harbor.

“It was a really nice way to get the kids to see what the big picture is,” said Leidhold. “It’s a unique perspective, and we’re very grateful for Jill and her crew to allow us to do that.”

The week ended at Aucoot Beach where kids explored the salt marshes and mud flats while learning about the different zones that make up the beach area.

The kids also got to see Gilmore one more time.

“When you hold Gilmore, you wield power,” joked Thomas Keene.