Scouting Programs

Are you looking for an exciting and entertaining group activity for your scouts? Need help meeting those final badge requirements? Then sign up for a scouting activity at the Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary!

Our programs are appropriate for all types of groups with an interest in exploring the outdoors, including Cub Scouts, Webelos, Brownies, Junior Girl Scouts, Campfire, Bluebirds, and Princesses and Guides. From pond puddling to service projects, we offer a variety of interactive programs in a natural setting to fit your needs.
To inquire about our Eagle Scout Programs, contact Roger.

Available Programs

Badge Workshops

Would you like to focus your attention on a particular badge? Our skilled staff is ready to help your group work towards completion of any nature or science related badge through fun and interactive activities.  
Ages: 6-11 years
Duration: 2 hours
Dates offered: September through May
Fee: $15 per scout, $8 per adult
(Special Heard patches available for $2.95 each)
How to register:
Use the scouting reservation form below

Webelos

Bear Cubs

Junior Girl Scouts

Brownies

Scouting reservation form

Badge Workshop & Trail Guidelines

Boy Scout Merit Badge Workshops

Reptile and Amphibian Study
In our Reptile and Amphibian Study workshop each Scout will earn all requirements except for 8 and 9. See below for registration information.
Date: Mar 13 & July 10
Time: 9-3PM
Maximum Enrollment: 20
Fee: $30 per Scout

Environmental Science
In our Environmental Science Workshop each Scout will have an opportunity to earn the Environmental Science Merit Badge, a requirement for Eagle Rank.  Attendance at both workshop dates and completion of homework assignments are necessary in order to complete all badge requirements. See below for registration information.
Dates: September 18 & October 2, 2010
Time: 9 AM—4 PM
Minimum Enrollment: 20

Maximum Enrollment: 50
Fee:  $70 per Scout

Insect Study Merit Badge
In our Insect Study Merit Badge all requirements can eventually be completed.  All except 3, 7, and 10 will be completed on that Saturday. Requirements 3 & 10 involve making an insect collection and an opportunity (with instruction) will be provided to collect the specimens on that Saturday. However, to fulfill the needed number and variety of species required for the collection, the scout will most likely need to do additional collecting on his own and the specimens will need to be mounted and labeled before that requirement can be satisfied.  Likewise, Requirement 7 which involves the raising of an insect (larvae will be provided by the Heard) will need to be done at home.  When these last requirements are fulfilled, arrangements will be made to meet with instructor to sign them off -  probably a group get-together.  See below for registration information.
Date: August 21, 2010
Time: 9AM– 5PM  Scouts need to bring a sack lunch and a water bottle.
Maximum Enrollment:  20
Fee: $40 per scout + the cost of an insect net (To be determined.)
Additional Needed: Long pants, outdoor boots or shoes, insect repellant.
Merit Badge Registration Information

Mammal Study Merit Badge
In our Mammal Study Merit Badge all requirements can be completed the day of the class if the pre-class assignment (see below * Requirement 3c.) is completed and brought with them.  See below for registration information.
Date:  November 14, 2009
Time: 12PM– 5PM
Maximum Enrollment: 50
Fee:  $30 per scout
Additional Needed:  Appropriate outdoor clothing (Like jackets or raingear if needed)
Requirement 3c.
*  From study and reading, write a simple history of one non-game mammal that lives in your area.  Tell how this mammal lived before its habitat was affected in any way by man.  Tell how it reproduces, what it eats, what eats it, and its natural habitat.  Describe its dependency on plants, upon other animals (including man), and how they depend upon it.  Tell how it is helpful and/or harmful to man.  

Bird Study Merit Badge

Check back for details--coming soon

Birds are among the most fascinating creatures on Earth. Many are beautifully colored. Others are accomplished singers. Many of the most important discoveries about birds and how they live have been made by amateur birders. In pursuing this hobby, a Scout might someday make a valuable contribution to our understanding of the natural world.

Date:  May 15, 2010

New! Gardening Merit Badge

Check back for details--coming soon. 

Humans have been growing plants for thousands of years. Farmers and horticulturists make their living growing food and other plants, while other people grow gardens for pleasure. Becoming a good gardener requires a Scout to understand the science of growing plants—how to prepare the soil, how to select and plant seeds, and how to care for the growing plants.

Date: June 12 , 2010

Registration    
1) Registration forms are available below.
For registration information, call Steffanie at 972.562.5566 ext. 237 or smann@heardmuseum.org 
For questions about program content, contact Angela Baron at abaron@heardmuseum.org or Roger Sanderson at rsanderson@heardmuseum.org.

2) Pre-registration and pre-payment required. Workshop fees are non-refundable.  If you are unable to attend the merit badge workshop you registered for we will do our best to reschedule your student for the next workshop scheduled.

3) Class 1 Medical Record and Code of Conduct Form are required (available below).

4) Please remember to bring your own lunch and wear a Class A or B uniform.

Merit Badge Registration Form (pdf)
Code of Conduct Form (pdf)
Medical Record Form (pdf) or visit www.scouting.org/forms/34414.pdf

Badge Workshop & Trail Guidelines

Service Projects
The Heard welcomes scouts and other groups to assist with special service projects. Examples of previous scout projects include habitat restoration and trail and sanctuary maintenance. We appreciate your help in keeping the museum a healthy home for the plants and animals that live here.
Ages: 7-adult
For information call: 972-562-5566 ext. 233
Special Heard patches available for $2.95 each
To schedule an Eagle Scout Project call
972.562.5566 ext. 233