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. **New this year, individual scouts must be registered directly by their own parents/guardians** Scout leaders can only register themselves and child(ren) for which they are parent or guardian. This can be done online, in person, or by phone with a credit card. Pre-registration is required for all scouts and all adults planning on attending workshops. Public workshops are currently limited to 8 scouts per program. Groups of 5 or more are encouraged to book a private session.
Costs are $10.00 per scout, per workshop, unless otherwise noted. Scout leaders are admitted for free (up to 2 per group); all additional adults must pay $5 per person.
Refunds are offered, less an administrative fee of 25%, 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. Please dress appropriately for the forecasted weather conditions.
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 adventures. 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. **New this year – private workshops do not have a minimum number of scouts.** 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.
Maple Syruping Program
Date Offered: March only
$4 per Scout
$4 per adult
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 on ice cream. Programs are 60 minutes. Contact the Nature Center for more information or to schedule a program.
Merit Badge Day
Date Offered: TBD
Scouts: $15 per session
Parents/chaperones: free
Merit Badge Day at Indian Creek Nature Center gives you an opportunity to work with a team of experts in a variety of badge areas. Sign up for a morning session, afternoon session, or stay for the full day to work on two different badges. A one-hour lunch break will be provided. Past years’ workshop sessions have included: Bird Study, Backpacking, Energy, Fishing, Gardening, Geology, Geocaching, Nature, Plant Science, Orienteering, Sustainability, Wilderness Skills or Weather.
Lion Workshops
Date Offered: TBD
Time: TBD
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!
Tiger Workshops
Date Offered: Saturday, October 10 – 12:30 – 2pm **time change**
Work on two required adventures in one workshop! Take a hike around the Nature Center and experience the sights and sounds, and look for plants and animals. Along the way learn about birds, and go on a one foot hike. Meet some of the animals that live at the Nature Center. Don’t forget to bring your Cub Scout six essentials!
Date Offered: TBD
Time: TBD
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! (You will be responsible for Requirement #3)
Wolf Workshop
Date Offered: TBD
Time: TBD
We’ll have great fun making our way through requirements from four adventures (Call of the Wild, Paws on the Path, Finding Your Way and Howling at the Moon! (Finding Your Way is an Elective Adventure, the other three are Required Adventures.) Tie knots and play games. Learn about animals, bugs and birds. Learn what items you need for camping and hiking. Gather around the campfire and create your own exciting campfire skit! End the afternoon with a one-mile hike and put your compass skills to the test. Includes one-hour lunch break on your own
Bear Workshop
Date Offered: TBD
Time: TBD
Go for a hike — rain or shine! — and look for signs of animals, birds and plants on this Required Adventure. Look for signs of wildlife outside. Do you know who’s endangered and why? Investigate the species that no longer live here and have a closer look at plants with a magnifying glass.
Webelos Workshops
Date Offered: Saturday, October 24th
Time: 9:30 – 11:30am
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).
Date Offered: Saturday, October 24th
Times: 12:30 – 2:30 pm
Learn about birds and flyways, and practice your bird watching skills. Play a food chain and food web game to learn about ecosystems and connections. Explore wetlands and the importance of aquatic ecosystems. (Note: we will not complete every requirement for this adventure.)
Date Offered: TBD
Time: TBD
Have you ever wondered what supplies you would need if you were stranded on a desert island? Come learn which tools and skills would come in handy in an outdoor emergency. Light a fire, make a shelter, learn about outdoor survival kits, and cook a snack over a campfire.
Date Offered: TBD
Time: TBD
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.