Scouting Programs
Scout groups have MANY choices when scheduling a visit to SANC!
SELF-GUIDED PROGRAMS:
Self-guided groups can enjoy a nature hike along 7 miles of hiking trails that include ponds, forests, prairies, a 60-foot tower, and the beach along Lake Michigan. Self-guided groups pay the usual admission charges, $2 for children, $4 for adults, and members are always free. No reservation or advance notice is needed. A self-guided hike can be combined with other free public programs such as Raptor Saturday or RepAmphibiantile Sunday, or sign up for other public programs offered.
PRESENTATIONS AT YOUR EVENT:
If your scout group is interested in having someone come to one of your events, we have 11 one-hour programs that are informative and interactive!
NATURALIST-LED PROGRAMS:
Scouts can also come and earn pins and badges in 1 ½ - 2 ½ hour programs. Most programs cost $4 per child and adults are free. Programs are scheduled 7 days during the day or evening. If you don’t see a program you’re interested in listed below, it doesn’t mean the program isn’t available, just ask!
1 ½ - 2 hour programs
ANIMALS: Meet a wild and domestic animal and learn what makes each one special. As we hike along the trails we’ll observe and learn about many different animals like how they move, communicate, and eat in order to survive in the wild.
EARTH & SKY: On the beach of Lake Michigan, the girls will discover the often unseen relationships between our earth and sky. In the process of discovery, the girls will make a reminder of each to take home with them.
ECO-EXPLORER: We’ll explore some different neighborhoods found in nature like fields, forests and ponds. We’ll meet a live animal, and make a bird feeder to take home!
OUTDOOR ADVENTURE: Explore the far reaches of the Audubon. Learn how to dress for different weather conditions. We’ll build temporary shelters to help protect ourselves from some of those weather surprises! The cost is dependent on whether program is an overnighter or just an outing.
SPACE EXPLORER: A fun-filled evening program or as a part of the Outdoor Adventure badge on an overnighter.
WATCHING WILDLIFE: What a great opportunity to learn about the special adaptations and strategies that animals utilize in their daily struggle to survive the wild. The girls will have an opportunity to closely observe some animals and see how they react to different conditions.
WATER EVERYWHERE: This is a ponding experience like no other. The girls will utilize different kinds of equipment and even make some of their own as we discover the importance of ponds. We’ll also have a chance to meet some pond critters in an up-close and personal way!
2 ½ hour programs
CAMP TOGETHER: Overnight experiences are offered year-round. Sleep indoors or outside. Sit around a campfire on the beach or the fireplace inside. What will we discover on our night hike that’s different than our morning hike? Girls earn most of Camp Together (requirement #1 is a 2-night sleepover) and one other badge to be determined.
EARTH CONNECTION: Identify tree and plants and learn how they are used. What kind of special adaptations do Wisconsin’s animals have that help them survive? Get a close-up look at our great big world.
ECO-ACTION: Participate in a service project planting native trees or flowers. Learn about the women who made the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center what it is today. Girls earn requirements #2 and 10 only. This is a seasonal activity that only costs you your time and energy! (**COST EXCEPTION: FREE)
FINDING YOUR WAY: Learn how to find your way using maps and a compass. How will you find your way if you don’t have these tools? Lay a trail and see if your friends can follow it.
HIKER:
• Hiking Basics: Learn how to dress and pack for hiking. Take a hike using an orienteering map (compasses) or GPS units. Girls earn requirements 1, 2, 3, 5, 7.
• All-Day Hikes: Get ready to put your hiking basics to the test. Locations of trips are individually determined.
OUTDOOR FUN: Learn how to prepare for outdoor emergencies and utilize basic first aid. Build a campfire on the beach, have a cookout, and play some campfire games.
ROCKS ROCK: TStart a rock collection and learn how to identify your rocks. Learn about the great big geological features like glaciers, erosion, and volcanoes, and take a look at the small stuff like soil, too. Make your own “fossil” to take home.
SKY SEARCH: Learn about the sky at night; stars, constellations, and planets. Program is an evening, weather-dependent program.
YOUR OUTDOOR SURROUNDINGS: Explore nature as we hike and enhance our observation skills through fun activities.
WATER WONDERS: Water is one of those things we just can’t live without. Come and learn about what lies beneath the surface.
WILDLIFE: Meet 2 animals from different animal families. Learn to identify Wisconsin’s venomous snakes and poisonous plants. Observe nature up close and from afar.
1 ½ hour programs
LET’S GO OUTDOORS (Achievement 5d & 5f & 5g): Go on a nature hike & learn about some of the animals that live here at the Audubon. Watch the weather from our Tree Top Classroom. Collect some leaves from different trees and make a leaf rubbing picture to take home.
LEARN ABOUT ANIMALS (Elective 31) & FEED THE BIRDS (Elective 32): Meet a live raptor, make a pinecone birdfeeder, and go outside for a bird hike.
REDUCE, REUSE & RECYCLE (Elective 47) & CLEANUP TREASURE HUNT (Elective 33): Learn how to recycle in your neighborhood & then we’ll head to the beach for a cleanup project. Kids get a special “reduce, reuse, recycle” placemat to take home.
PICNIC FUN (Elective 22) & FUN OUTDOORS (Elective 35): Have a campfire picnic and enjoy some group games and activities.
FROGGIN’ & PONDIN’:Ever just want to find out about the critters at the pond and maybe even catch a few? Than this is the program for you!!
1 ½ hour programs
BIRDS (Elective 13): Meet a live raptor. Go on a bird hike and learn how to identify some seasonally common birds. Make a bird house to take home.
OUTDOOR ADVENTURE (Elective 18): Have a cookout. Set up treasure hunts and obstacle courses.
YOUR LIVING WORLD (Achievement 7): Learn how to recycle in your neighborhood & then we’ll head to the beach for a cleanup project. Kids get a special “reduce, reuse, recycle” placemat to take home.
FROGGIN’ & PONDIN’: Ever just want to find out about the critters at the pond and maybe even catch a few? Than this is the program for you!!
1 ½ - 2 hour programs
SHARING YOUR WORLD WITH WILDLIFE (Achievement 5): Meet a live raptor and learn about extinct and endangered animals. Take a nature hike and learn more about the animals we share our world with. Make a bird house or bird feeder to take home.
WATER & SOIL CONSERVATION (Elective 15): Meet an animal that depends on the soil. Use a soil auger to view different soil layers. Conduct a soil experiment. Learn about erosion and what can be done to slow the process. Head to the beach to help clean up the shoreline.
WHAT’S COOKING? (Achievement 9g) & GAMES, GAMES, GAMES! (Achievement 15): Have a campfire cookout and play enjoy some games and other outdoor activities.
FROGGIN’ & PONDIN’: Ever just want to find out about the critters at the pond and maybe even catch a few? Than this is the program for you!!
2 ½ hour programs
ACTIVITY BADGES
CONSERVATION PROJECT: A variety of seasonal projects can be arranged.
Merit Badge Workshops
facilitated by merit badge counselor
INSECT STUDY: September 22 or September 29
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE:
Workshop I: October 6 or November 3
Workshop II: October 13 or November 10
(NOTE: workshops I & II cover different requirements)
REPTILE & AMPHIBIAN: January 19 or February 16
BIRD STUDY: April 5 or May 3
NATURE: May 31 or June 7
TIME: Saturdays, 9-Noon
WHERE: Schlitz Audubon Nature Center
1111 E. Brown Deer Rd.
Milwaukee, WI 53217
Merit Badges are not completed at these workshops. Attending workshops provides scouts with information and hands-on experiences that will assist them in the completion of each merit badge. Each scout will receive a workbook to help them keep their work organized.
Scouts can review the CURRENT merit badge requirements at
http://www.usscouts.org/meritbadges.asp.
It is also recommended that scouts prepare for workshops by reading the appropriate merit badge pamphlet.
Address & Hours
- Schlitz Audubon Nature Center
- 1111 E. Brown Deer Rd.,
Milwaukee WI 53217 - Call (414) 352-2880 Ext. 0
- Hours: 9am to 5pm
- 7 Days a week
- Closed on major holidays
- $4 Adults & $2 Children