Scouting Programs

We offer guided trails, workshops, and service projects that 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 YMCA Guides. Your group is also welcome to pay regular admission and tour the Museum and Sanctuary on your own (admission is included with programs). Between the museum and live animal exhibits, miles of hiking trails, and picnic areas, there is something for every group!

Want a memento of your visit? Special Heard patches are available in the gift shop.

Scout Group Discount If you have ten or more in your scout group, you can pre-pay for your visit and take advantage of our scout group discount of one free adult admission for every 10 paid general admissions or workshops.

For more information about our programs, contact Sherry Kennedy at skennedy@heardmuseum.org or 972.562.5566 x241.

Two-hour Badge Workshops
Interested in earning a badge or looking for a fun nature-based activity for your group? Our badge workshops might be just what you need. Each two hour workshop is specifically geared to meet the requirements for the listed organization’s badge, but they are open to any interested groups.

Dates offered: September through May, see schedule below
Fee: $15 per scout, $11 per adult.  For every 10 paid scouts, get one (1) adult free. This price includes museum admission for the day.

Use our new online form to request your reservation.

Prefer to register by mail or fax? Use these registration Forms

General Scouting Reservation Form

Trail & Two Hour Badge Workshop Guidelines

Scouting Credit Card Authorization Form

2012-2013 Schedule

Guided Trails

Use our new online form to request your reservation.

Experience the ecology, geology, flora and fauna of the Heard Sanctuary. Led by our trained guides, your group will spend 45-60 minutes hiking our unique landscape. See the schedule below for dates. Have a group of 10 or more? We may be able to arrange a private hike for your group; contact us for availability.

Dates offered: September through May, see schedule below
Guided Trail: $9 per child (age 3-12), $12 per adult chaperone, admission to museum included
Reservation Information:

Prefer to register by mail or fax? Use these registration Forms

General Scouting Reservation Form

Trail & Two Hour Badge Workshop Guidelines

Scouting Credit Card Authorization Form

Boy Scout Merit Badge Workshops

Our Merit Badge workshops are led by Merit Badge Counselors and are typically offered once or twice a year. Many requirements are completed during each workshop, but some work may need to be done outside of the workshop in order to complete all requirements. See individual merit badge descriptions for more details.

Registration Information
1) Pre-registration and pre-payment is required. Workshop fees are non-refundable. If the scout is unable to attend the merit badge workshop, we will do our best to reschedule for the next workshop. Refunds will only be issued in the event that we must cancel or reschedule a workshop.
2) Class 1 Medical Record and Code of Conduct Form are required (available below).

3) Please bring your own lunch, a water bottle with carrier, and wear a Class A or B uniform.

Prefer to register by mail or fax? Use these registration Forms

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

Scouting Credit Card Authorization Form

Environmental Science
This two day workshop will allow each scout to earn the Environmental Science Merit Badge. Attendance at both workshop dates and completion of homework assignments are necessary in order to complete all badge requirements.

Dates: Fall, Dates TBD - watch our newsletter!
Time: 9 AM—4 PM
Minimum Enrollment: 15

Maximum Enrollment: 50
Fee:  $75 per scout
Additional Information: Please bring a sack lunch and water to drink.

Bird Study Merit Badge

All requirements for this badge will be met the day of the workshop.

Date: Dates TBD - watch our newsletter!
Time: 8 AM—2 PM
Fee:  TBD
Additional Information: Wear appropriate outdoor clothing and bring a sack lunch and water to drink.

Insect Study Merit Badge
All requirements except 4, 5 and 7 will be completed during the workshop. Requirements 4 & 5 involve making an insect collection or a notebook. An opportunity (with instruction) will be provided to collect or photograph the specimens on the day of the workshop. In order to fulfill the needed number and variety of species required, the scout will likely need to do additional work before the requirement can be satisfied.  Requirement 7, which involves the raising of an insect (larvae will be provided by the Heard), will need to be completed at home. When complete, arrangements will be made to meet with the counselor to have the remaining requirements signed off on. 

Date: Dates TBD - watch our newsletter!

Time: 9AM– 5PM
Maximum Enrollment: 20
Fee: TBD
Additional Information: Please bring a sack lunch and wear long pants, outdoor boots or shoes, and insect repellant.

Mammal Study Merit Badge
All requirements can be completed the day of the class if the pre-class assignment (see Requirement 3c below) is done and brought to the workshop.
Date:  Dates TBD - watch our newsletter!
Time: 12PM– 5PM
Maximum Enrollment: 50
Fee:  TBD
Additional Information:  Please wear appropriate outdoor clothing.  Complete Requirement 3c prior to the workshop and bring it to the workshop. 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.    

Reptile and Amphibian Study
Each Scout will earn all requirements except for 8 and 9.

Date:  Dates TBD - watch our newsletter!

Time: 9AM–3PM
Maximum Enrollment: 20
Fee: TBD
Additional Information: Please bring a sack lunch.

Service Projects
The Heard welcomes scouts and other groups to assist with special service projects. Picking up trash from our grounds and trails is always an available project option for groups of all sizes. Other projects such as trail and sanctuary maintenance, habitat restoration, and handiwork jobs may be available. If your group has an idea for a particular project, you may also submit it for consideration. All service projects must be prescheduled.
Ages: 7-adult
Contact Information
Eagle Scout Projects Only: Brian Corry at bcorry@heardmuseum.org or 972.562.5566 x238.
All Other Groups see our group volunteer information