Cub & Scout BSA Workshops
Upcoming Workshops
For general scout information, please visit the Scouts page.
Scout Rules and Registration Policy
Please read carefully prior to registering.
Registration and payment are required prior to the event and can be done online, in person, or by phone with a credit card. Registration is required for all scouts and all adults planning on attending workshops. Walk-in participants will not be admitted.
Public program fees are $10.00 per scout, per workshop, unless otherwise noted. Scout leaders are admitted for free (up to 2 per group); any additional adults are $5 per person.
Private program fees are $80 minimum per program for groups of up to 8 (or fewer) scouts and 2 adults for most programs. Any additional scouts are $10 per scout and additional adults are $5 per person.
Refunds are offered, less an administrative fee of 10%, for all cancellations received at least 48 hours in advance. Full refunds are given for any program Indian Creek Nature Center cancels.
Most scout workshops include outdoor activities. Many program activities can be adapted to the indoors in cases of severe weather (extreme heat, cold or thunderstorms). Weather cancellations or reschedules are mostly limited to cases where the weather makes travel dangerous. In the event of a weather related cancellation or reschedule, ICNC will contact registered program participants. Please dress appropriately for the forecasted weather conditions, and make sure to provide accurate parent guardian contact information with your registrations.
Patches are not sold or awarded on site at ICNC. Scout leaders are welcome to attend workshops with scouts to monitor progress. All participants are provided a list of workshop activities and their corresponding requirements.
Cub & Scout BSA Workshops
Our workshops, held throughout the school year, allow Scouts to meet nature-based requirements for badges and journeys. Individual scouts or small groups can participate in one of our public workshops. Alternatively, groups may schedule their own private workshops, subject to the availability of staff. Contact the Nature Center for more information or to schedule. Pre-registration is required for all scouts and adults planning on participating in workshop activities.
Multi-Age Groups
Location: Penningroth Barn (6665 Otis Rd SE)
Cost: $5 per person (3 and older)
Contact us to schedule a private workshop.
Bring the family for a maple syruping experience! Discover how easy it is to tap maple trees and make delicious maple syrup. This is a great family STEM science experience to learn about weather, tree physiology, and the chemistry of syrup making. Use the sugar maker’s tools to tap a tree, visit the Sugar House to learn how sap becomes syrup, and enjoy a taste of ICNC’s real maple syrup. Programs are 60 minutes. Contact the Nature Center for more information or to schedule a program for your group.
Merit Badges
Date: Saturday, April 12, 2025
Time: 1-4PM
Location: Amazing Space
(5300 Otis Rd SE)
Cost: $12 per scout
Scouts will attempt requirements 1-3, 4a1, 4b, 4c and 4e at the workshop. Scouts are responsible for one other requirement from 4 (d, f, g or h) and 4a2 on their own. $12 per scout. Click here to access current requirements.
Capacity: 15 total people
Lion Workshops
Date: Saturday, December 14, 2024
Time: 12:30-2PM
Location: Amazing Space
(5300 Otis Rd SE)
Find out what you can do to prepare and stay safe while hiking and exploring outside and then put your new skills to use! Hike and explore the Nature Center trails with a naturalist. Don’t forget to pack your curiosity and sense of adventure. Be prepared for an afternoon of fun!
Capacity: 20 total people
Tiger Workshops
Date: Saturday, October 26, 2024
Time: 12:30-2:30PM
Location: Penningroth Barn
(6665 Otis Rd SE)
Take a hike around the Nature Center and experience the sights and sounds, and look for plants and animals. Along the way learn about trees and practice the art of leaf rubbing. Meet some of the animals that live at ICNC. Don’t forget to bring your Cub Scout six essentials!
Capacity: 20 total people
90 minutes. Contact us to schedule a private workshop (subject to availability).
Explore things in the night sky from the moon to planets and stars. Observe the night sky and try using binoculars and telescopes. Create your own constellation and give it a name!
Wolf Workshop
Date: Saturday, October 26, 2024
Time: 9:30- 11:30AM
Location: Amazing Space
(5300 Otis Rd SE)
Take a hike and explore nature! Before you go, learn what items you need for outdoor activities. Dress for the weather – we’ll go outside rain, snow or shine! Learn about and meet animals up close.
Capacity: 20 total people
Date: Saturday, January 18, 2025
Time: 1-2:30pm
Location: Amazing Space
(5300 Otis Rd SE)
Learn how to navigate with maps and compasses. Create your own map, and then practice your map & compass navigation skills out on the trails!
Capacity: 20 total people
Bear Workshop
Date: Saturday, February 1, 2025
Time: 12:30-2:30PM
Location: Amazing Space
(5300 Otis Rd SE)
Pick a path, and go for a one mile hike — rain, snow or shine! — and look for signs of animals and other interesting nature sights along the way. Learn about and then practice principles of Leave No Trace out on the trail.
Capacity: 20 total people
Webelos Workshops
Date: Saturday, January 18, 2025
Time: 9:30-11AM
Location: Amazing Space
(5300 Otis Rd SE)
Have you ever wanted to know more about rocks? Come to the Nature Center to find out why geology is important to you! We’ll identify rocks, test minerals and learn about Moh’s hardness scale. You’ll find out about Iowa’s geologic past, and get to take home a little souvenir. (You will be responsible for requirement #4 on your own)
Capacity: 30 total people
Arrow of Light Workshops
Date: Saturday, February 22, 2025
Time: 9:30-11:30AM
Location: Amazing Space
(5300 Otis Rd SE)
Learn about and meet animals up close. Explore animal habitats. Play a food chain and food web game to learn about ecosystems and connections. Explore a model of human interactions on wildlife habitats. (You will be responsible for requirement #2 on your own)
Capacity: 20 people
Date: Saturday, February 22, 2025
Time: 12:30-2PM
Location: Amazing Space
(5300 Otis Rd SE)
Trees are everywhere! What kind are they? Learn how trees work, how we use trees and more. Search for and identify trees, plants and animals of the forest (You will be responsible for Requirement #4).
Capacity: 20 people