Cub Scout Programs

Boy investigating wetlands

We offer a variety of fun, nature-inspired programs for Wolves, Bears and Webelos. Scouts can explore the natural wonders of the Missouri Botanical Garden and the Shaw Nature Reserve in all seasons.

All programs are aligned with badge requirements. Discover and learn with us!

Learn more about registration and pricing. You can register online unless otherwise noted in the program description. If you have questions or you wish to bring the scouts on a different date please contact the Scout Programs Instructor at scoutprograms@mobot.org or (314) 577-9473 x 6357; we will make every effort to accommodate you!

Overnight Programs
Wolf Programs
Bear Programs
Webelo Programs

Cub Scout World Conservation Award:
Some of our classes count towards requirements for the Cub Scout World Conservation Award (requirements vary by level). These classes (Birds, Nature Crafts, Weather, Water & Soil Conservation, Forester and Naturalist) are marked with an asterisk (*).

 

OVERNIGHT PROGRAMS

Take advantage of this rare opportunity to explore the Garden grounds at night while you work towards a badge!  Meet other scout groups! Spend a night sleeping under the stars! Our 2012 overnight programs are offered March 24–25, April 7–8, May 19–20 (cancelled), September 8–9 and October 20–21. Learn more

 

WOLF PROGRAMS
Birds *
At Missouri Botanical Garden:
February 6, 7 14, 15, 23, 27, 28, 29, 2012 from 4:30–6:30 p.m. OR
Saturdays, February 4 or 18, 2012 from
10 a.m.–12 p.m. or 1:30–3:30 p.m.
At Shaw Nature Reserve:
Saturday, March 3, 2012 from
10 a.m.–12 p.m. or 1:30–3:30 p.m.
Call (314) 577-9473 x 6357 to schedule an additional date.
ChickadeeGo on a bird hunt! Scouts will discover 10 different birds as they search with binoculars and put out nesting material for those they find! Scouts will also make a bird feeder and take home three types of seeds to "test." Their hunt will end with them learning about an extinct bird and one that's made a comeback. Meets all requirements for the Wolf Elective: Birds.
Your Living World
At Missouri Botanical Garden or at your location.
Call (314) 577-9473 x 6357 to schedule.
SmokestackLearn about forms of pollution—and hear stories about how the staff at the Missouri Botanical Garden are working to protect and preserve our natural resources. Find out more about recycling, and how to save energy too!

 

BEAR PROGRAMS
Take Care of Your Planet
At Missouri Botanical Garden.
Call (314) 577-9473 x 6357 to schedule.
GarbageLearn what happens to your trash when it is hauled away and what the benefits of recycling are. Investigate ways that water and energy are wasted, and how you can help conserve different types of natural resources.
Nature Crafts *
At Missouri Botanical Garden or at your location.
Program Schedule:
Offered September 1 through November 1. Call (314) 577-9473 x 6357 to schedule.
LeafCollect, press and label ten leaves from different tree species. Collect eight different plant seeds and label them.
Sharing Your World with Wildlife
At Shaw Nature Reserve.
To schedule, call (314) 577-9483 x 6357.
Bird at bird feederLearn what it takes to be a wildlife officer! Construct a bird feeder and travel back in time to learn of extinct species and what you can do to help wildlife today! Meets all requirements for SYWWW under the "Country Achievement."
Maps
At Missouri Botanical Garden
To schedule, call (314) 577-9483 x 6357.
USDA hardiness mapLearn how to read and interpret many types of maps, their uses and their importance when growing plants. Use maps to explore different time zones, growing seasons, as well as make a map of a hike you wish to take!
Weather *
At Missouri Botanical Garden.
To schedule, call (314) 577-9483 x 6357.
CloudsLearn about basic weather instruments and how they are used, then make and test them! Construct a weather vane and a rain gauge. Learn to identify different types of clouds, the weather patterns associated with them and what that means to the living world. Meets requirements for Bear elective "Weather."
Water & Soil Conservation *
At Shaw Nature Reserve.
To schedule, call (314) 577-9483 x 6357.
Prairie grassesEmbark on a journey as you learn about the layers of soil by digging and then conducting experiments on what you turn up! Walk the prairie to learn about grasses that help prevent erosion, what happens after a wildfire and more! The journey ends with a stop at the wetlands where you will plan a clean-up in your own area! Meets requirements for Bear elective "Water and Soil Conservation."

 

WEBELO PROGRAMS
Forester *
At Missouri Botanical Garden:
Saturday, September 24, 2011 from
10 a.m.–12:30 or 1:30–4 p.m.
At Shaw Nature Reserve:
Saturdays, October 8, 15, 22, 2011;
April  21, 28, 2012 from 10 a.m.–12:30 or 1:30–4 p.m.
Call (314) 577-9473 x 6357 to schedule an additional date.
ForestSoar through the layers of the forest learning about each while identifying six native plants and six native trees! Learn how wildlife and humans use plants, and play a game demonstrating how trees interact with living and non-living things! Draw and learn about tree cookies and the science behind dendrochronology! Meets all requirements for Activity Badge:  Forester.
Geologist
At Shaw Nature Reserve:
Saturdays, October 29, 2011; November 12, 2011; March 17, 24, 31, 2012 from
10 a.m.–12:30 p.m. or 1:30–4 p.m.
Call (314) 577-9473 x 6357 to schedule an additional date.
GeologyHead for the river! Visit a dry riverbed to collect and learn about important geologic specimens that we use everyday! Hike to an overlook in the foothills of the Ozarks to learn how they were formed and about the fossils that were left behind! Meets all requirements for Activity Badge: Geologist.
Naturalist *
At Shaw Nature Reserve:
Saturday, April 7, 2012 from
10 a.m.–12:30 p.m. or 1:30–4 p.m. 
Call (314) 577-9473 x 6357 to schedule an additional date.

If you like insects, earn this badge at the Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House!
DragonflyVisit the Shaw Nature Reserve’s wetlands area to learn about bird flyways in Missouri and in the U.S. Learn to identify poisonous plants and reptiles as you hike to the wetlands. While in the wetlands area, examine the aquatic habitat with nets and magnifiers to see what you can find: insects, snakes, turtles, fish, birds or mammals. Watch their behaviors. Talk about organisms found only in the Midwest. Learn about why the aquatic ecosystem and wetlands are important…what role do they play in supporting wildlife? Wear clothes that may get a bit wet as we visit the pond/wetlands area. Meets all requirements for Activity Badge: Naturalist.
Engineer
At Missouri Botanical Garden or at your location.
Call (314) 577-9473 x 6357 to schedule.
Solar panels on roofLearn how to make your own home more sustainable. Investigate how your homes are powered; how electricity gets into your house, and then use the skills of architects and construction managers to design a green home. Draw a floor plan!
Handyman
At Missouri Botanical Garden or at your location.
Call (314) 577-9473 x 6357 to schedule.
Compact fluorescent bulbsLearn how to make your home safe, healthy and green. Learn how to replace old light bulbs with more efficient ones, how to keep hazardous cleaning products out of the home, how to check tire pressure to save gas and other ways to save money and natural resources!

 

Quick Links
Scholarships Available

The Missouri Botanical Garden’s Education Department offers need-based scholarships so that every student has the opportunity to experience, explore, discover and learn at the Garden, the Shaw Nature Reserve and the Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House. Both schools/organizations and individual students may apply.

Learn more