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Scout Programs in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex

Scouting

Overview

Explore the Outdoors with Your Group

Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary offers 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!

 

To ensure the best experience for all scout groups, program requests must be made at least 2 weeks in advance of program date.

 

To ensure the best experience for everyone, we will confirm the status of our Saturday programs by the Wednesday before based on registration numbers. If fewer than 6 people, including adults, have signed up by then, the program will be canceled. If a program is canceled, participants can either transfer their ticket to another program on a different date or receive a full refund.

Scouts looking at map

Scout Badge Workshops

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. Click the tabs on the table below to access the workshops by type. Pre-registration is required for all workshops.

Price

$15 per participant

Museum admission for the day is free with workshop purchase. Each scout must have a responsible adult in attendance at the workshop; one adult may bring up to 10 scouts.

 

 

Registration for Fall 2024 – Spring 2025 now available! (Please note: registration for the 2nd half of Spring 2025 will be available starting in June 2024).

Reservations

To reserve spots in a workshop, please use the registration form to add spots in each available workshop that you are interested in to your shopping cart. Then, check out.

 

 

View Workshop Descriptions

 

 

Have a group of 10 or more? We may be able to arrange a private workshop for your group; contact us for availability.

Scout Badge Workshops

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. Pre-registration is required. 

Environmental Science Merit Badge

Participation in both part 1 & 2 required.

Dates

Schedule coming in spring of 2023

Reservations

Hiking for Scouts

Guided Trails for Scouts

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. Available September through May, as scheduled.

Price

$10 per child (age 3-12)
$13 per adult chaperone

Admission to museum included. Each scout must have a responsible adult in attendance; one adult may bring up to 10 scouts. For every 10 paid scouts, get one (1) adult free (when paid for and reserved simultaneously with all 10 scouts).

Schedule

January 6, 2024 | 2pm

February 10, 2024 | 10am

April 6, 2024 | 10am

May 11, 2024 | 2pm

Reservations

Additional Information

Heard Museum Scout Badge Workshop & Trail Guidelines

Thank you for your interest in participating in scouting activities at the Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary! Please use the following guidelines to ensure your group has a wonderful visit.

Accordion Content
  • To ensure the best experience for all scout groups, program requests must be made at least 2 weeks in advance of program date.

  • To ensure the best experience for everyone, we will confirm the status of our Saturday programs by the Wednesday before based on registration numbers. If fewer than 6 people, including adults, have signed up by then, the program will be canceled. If a program is canceled, participants can either transfer their ticket to another program on a different date or receive a full refund.

  • Please check-in with the front desk of the main building 10 minutes before your program time to get directions to the program location.
  • Groups that arrive over fifteen minutes late cannot be guaranteed a full workshop or trail.
  • All payments should be made online or in person at least 24 hours prior to the start of the workshop or trail. In some instances, permission from the Reservation Coordinator or the Education Coordinator may be made to allow for payment the day of a program.
  • Do not assume that you can pay for additional scouts or leaders the day of your program.
  • Refunds will only be given for cancellations made to the Reservation or Education Coordinator by email or in writing 2 weeks prior to the program date. No refunds will be issued after that time.
  • If you notify the Reservation or Education Coordinator by email or in writing by 5pm on the Wednesday before your scheduled program of changes, we will try to reschedule for a future date or give a credit good for one year. 
  • Please be aware that scouting programs are special fee programs not included in the free general admission included with Heard Museum Membership. If you have adults chaperones that are Heard Members, they will be required to pay the full program fee for themselves and their child(ren). See Membership page.
  • In the case of inclement weather, DO NOT assume your activity is canceled.
  • A refund will NOT be issued to “no shows.” We hold programs rain or shine and generally only cancel if the museum closes. If the weather is deemed to be too hazardous to go outside and is a requirement for program, then we will cancel the workshop or guided trail.
  • If we cancel, you will be contacted as soon as possible via the phone number or email provided on your Reservation Form. We will try to reschedule for another date that works for you. If rescheduling is not possible, you may request a credit or full refund.
  • Scouts should be prepared for going outside in all weather. Most of our workshops contain an outdoor component.
  • Closed-toe shoes and long pants are the preferred attire for a visit to the Museum & Sanctuary.
  • Insect Repellent and sunscreen are advisable. Applying repellent is time consuming, so please apply repellents prior to your arrival.
  • Any child arriving or departing from the Museum must be accompanied by a parent or designated adult.  No one under 18 is allowed inside the Museum or on the Sanctuary unaccompanied.
  • For the benefit of the registered participants, children that are not registered for the workshop will not be allowed in the workshop.
  • The Museum requires a 1:10 chaperone to child ratio.  A chaperone must be 21 years of age.
  • Scout Leaders and Chaperones are responsible for ensuring the group’s appropriate behavior throughout the entire visit.  To guarantee a pleasant visit for all our guests, the Museum reserves the right to remove any individual or group from the premises.
  • Help us to preserve our environment.  Please do not pick flowers, pull leaves from plants, disturb spider webs, disturb small animals, or collect any natural items while you are visiting.
  • Smoking is prohibited on The Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary property.
  • Picnic areas are first come, first served and the only place where food can be consumed.
  • Please keep your lunches with you or store them in your vehicles until you are ready to eat. We do not have facilities to store them for you.
  • In the case of inclement weather we cannot guarantee an available eating area inside the museum.

Scout Badge 2-Hour Badge Workshop Descriptions

Click the sections below to learn more about the 2-hour Scout Badge Workshops.

Accordion Content
Webelos Earth Rocks Badge Workshop
  • Study of geology.
  • Learn geological features (details of the Earth’s surface).
  • Hike – looking for rocks and ID the rocks on site or take pictures to ID later. Also, notice geographical surroundings.
  • Learn about Mohs scale of mineral hardness. Make a mineral test kit using materials selected from an assortment of objects.
  • Requirements completed: 1-6
 
Webelos Into the Wild Badge Workshop
  • Learn about the bird flyways close to our area.
  • Describe habitats of 4 wild animals scouts have observed before.
  • Identify insect, bird, reptile, or other wild animal that is only found locally.
  • Discuss food chains and balance of nature.
  • Learn about wetlands and take a hike to our Wetlands.
  • Requirements completed: 4-9, possibly 3 will be started if birds present on hike
 
Webelos Into the Woods Badge Workshop
  • Identify two different groups of trees and parts of trees.
  • Identify four trees common to our area.
  • Identify four plants common to our area.
  • Develop plan to care for a plant or tree that they will plant.
  • Requirements completed: 1-4 & 7. 5 & 6 may be covered, time permitting.

 

Bear Cubs Super Science Badge Workshop 
  • Make static electricity with a balloon or rubber comb. Conduct another static electricity investigation.
  • Do a sink or float investigation.
  • Do color-morphing investigation.
  • Requirements completed: 1-4
Brownies Wonders of Water Badge Workshop
  • Discuss importance and impact of water on living things.
  • LOVE water activity: Walk to the Wetlands.
  • SAVE water activity: Create a plan for saving water.
  • SHARE water activity: Inspire and educate others about protecting water with mini-presentation.
  • WOW award for proof/presentation of efforts of saving water.
  • Requirements completed: We cover the majority of the steps that need to be completed in most of the WOW Journey Sessions (1-5, 7 & 8). Some sessions include planning ideas that will be started, but need to be completed/shared sometime after the workshop. Sessions 6 and 9 may be discussed, but are not included in the workshop. As part of Session 3, we will take a hike outside to gather/ration water with buckets.

 

Brownies Senses Badge Workshop
 
  • Activities/games for smell, taste, sight, hearing, and touch.
  • Take a hike for the sight and hearing sense.
  • Requirements completed: Steps 1a, 2a, 3b, 4a and b, 5a or c
Jr. Girl Scouts:  Animal Habitats Badge Workshop
  • Find out about wild animals: Take a walk to the Heard Wetlands.  List animals seen and then learn more about them.
  • Investigate an animal habitat: Heard Wetlands.  How does the habitat go with the animal’s need for food, shelter, water, and space.
  • Create an animal house to fit the animal’s needs.
  • Explore/discuss endangered habitats.
  • Help protect animal habitats: for example, picking up trash.
  • Requirements completed: Steps 1a or c, 2a and b, 3a or b, 4b, and 5c
 
Jr. Girl Scouts:  Detective Badge Workshop
  • What is a detective? Explore what are important skills of a detective.
  • Learn classic codes: for example, Morse code.
  • Looking at evidence: using microscope and/or magnifying glass
  • Study fingerprints.
  • Outdoor clue hunt (approx. 45 minutes) on Hoot Owl Trail.
  • Requirements completed: Steps 1b, 2a or c, 3a, 4a, and 5a

SErvice projects

Volunteering

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 pre-scheduled. Ages: 10 through adult.

The Heard works with a limited number of Eagle Scouts each year. For additional information on coordinating an Eagle Scout project, please email us or call 972.562.5566 x238.