They say that curiosity killed the cat, but the curiosity of one squirrel quickly ended the first session of Sharon Wucherpfennig’s gourmet cooking class on Monday.

The squirrel, which had inhabited the basement of Morrison-Streeter Hall for a month, “contaminated the kitchen and eating area,” said camper Maggie Thompson.

Instructor Sharon Wucherpfennig told the students “that a squirrel had gotten into the food so that everything had to be cleaned,” said Hanna Hanks, a first year camper. Hanks also said that the instructor “said that we could nibble on [and cut] vegetables and grapes, or that we could go back to the dorms.” The majority of the students decided to go back to the dorm, and the class was canceled for the day. “Some of my associates were concerned that, for one hour, all they would do was chop up grapes and vegetables,” said first-year camper Sam Hylton.

By the end of the day many Satori campers had already formed opinions about why the squirrel had begun his rampage. “A squirrel broke and ran rampant in the kitchen and destroyed everything in its path,” said camper Courtney Drake.

“The reason I think he did it is squirrels need love. The trees just weren’t cutting it for him,” said Elliot Eaton, a camper and self-proclaimed “squirrel homie.”

Wucherpfennig added that the squirrel seemed to enjoy Cracker Jacks, and “wanted a better prize.” According to Maggie Thompson, a cleaning crew had been working on the contaminated areas, and “were half done when we got there.”

Some campers were quite harsh, though, when it came to what they thought should be done with the squirrel. “It’s a travesty,” said a hysterical Kyle Carter. He said that the “squirrels should get the death penalty.”

Wucherpfennig said that cleaning had begun Monday morning, and that she though it would be done by Tuesday’s class.

Kaille Kirkham contributed to the reporting of this story.