Girl Scout 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 scouts 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.
Girl Scout 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. **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: Month of March
$4 per child 3+
$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. Participants are eligible for a council activity patch, sold separately in the ICNC Creekside Shop. Contact the Nature Center for more information about patch requirements or to schedule a program.
Daisies Workshop
Date Offered: TBD
Time: TBD
Play animal games and explore different animal habitats found at the Nature Center. Search for clues animals leave behind and make your own animal nest or home. Meet animals up close and make a bird feeder to share with the wild animals in your backyard. This workshop will take you on part of the 5 Flowers, 4 Stories and 3 Cheers for Animals Journey.
Brownies Workshops
Date Offered: Saturday, September 26th
Time: 9:30 – 11:00am
Insects are everywhere and an important part of our world. Become an amateur entomologist and learn all about bugs. Observe bugs in nature and learn the usefulness of many insects. Capture bugs in our prairie and learn about their role in nature. This completes most of the Bug badge.
Date Offered: TBD
Time: TBD
Explore the Nature Center’s trails with an expert hiker to learn to read a map, interpret trail signs, leave no trace and learn what to take on a hike. Make your own snack and enjoy a day in nature! This completes most of the Hiker badge.
Date Offered: TBD
Time: TBD
“Become” a droplet of water circling around in Earth’s water cycle. Explore a watershed and learn how it works! Create a rainbow and special art using water colors. You will discover that water is our most valuable resource as you explore innovative ways to save and protect it. Visit a bioswale, discover and experiment with cement that soaks up rain and find out what a rain garden is. We will lead you on part of the Wonders of Water Journey.
Date Offered: TBD
Time: TBD
Make a model of our solar system and a start chart, and model the phases of our moon. Practice using binoculars and telescopes. Listen to constellation stories and create your own constellation and give it a name! This completes most of the Space Science Adventurer Badge.
Date Offered: TBD
Time: TBD
Practice and learn how to tie knots, and how to build a fire. We’ll cook a snack before setting out on a water adventure, creek stomping in Bena Brook! This completes part of the Outdoor Adventure badge. Please bring close toed shoes that can get wet to wear in the brook.
Juniors Workshops
Date Offered: TBD
Time: TBD
Come to a geocaching event to learn how the Global Positioning System (GPS) works. Learn to enter waypoints in a GPS receiver and find a geocache! Bring your own GPS unit or borrow one of the Nature Center’s units. This completes most of the Geocache badge.
Date Offered: TBD
Time: TBD
Energy is an important part of everything from the lights in your room to the food you eat. Explore energy at the Nature Center and determine your ecological footprint. Build a sun oven and cook. Learn about using solar energy to create electricity. Discover the things the Nature Center has done to build one of the most environmentally sustainable buildings in Iowa. We will lead you on part of the Get Moving! Journey.
Date Offered: TBD
Time: TBD
Who lives in your wild backyard? Discover several animal habitats at the Nature Center. Explore animal homes and create your own bird feeder to help the birds. Investigate endangered prairie habitats. How can we help protect them? Discover who lives in your own backyard habitat. This completes most of the Animal Habitats badge.
Date Offered: TBD
Time: TBD
Learn about what to bring and prepare for your outdoor adventures. Build your skills by navigating with a compass and tying knots. Practice building and lighting a fire to cook snacks, and try your hand at setting up a tent. This workshop will help you get started on the Camper badge.
Cadettes Workshop
Date Offered: TBD
Time: TBD
Trees are far more beneficial to us than we realize. We can’t live without them, but how do they work? What kind of tree is behind your house? Come learn about trees and do art inspired by trees. Find out about how we – and other animals – depend on trees, and how they depend on us. We will complete all but #5 of the Trees badge. Please note that this workshop is based out of the Barn (6665 Otis Rd SE).
Date Offered: TBD
Time: TBD
Learn about and meet a nocturnal animal. Explore the Nature Center trails at night with all of your senses. Examine the night sky and constellation stories. This completes most of the Night Owl badge, except for step #3.
Daisies, Brownies & Juniors Workshop
Date Offered: Saturday, September 26
Time: 12:30 – 2:30 pm
Learn about what scientists do and see how you can do science in your own backyards and communities by participating in a sampler of citizen science projects. Go on a hike to observe the phenology of the seasons, observe and record bird sightings or help us monitor water quality.