Girl Scout Workshops
To view or print the 2018-2019 Girls Scouts Workshops PDF brochure, click the button below.
For general scout information, please visit the Scouts page.
Scout Rules and Registration Policy
Please read carefully prior to registering.
NO RAIN-OUTS: All programs can be adapted to indoor workshops if necessary. Dress appropriately for the weather.
Only registered Scouts may attend workshops. Scout leaders are welcome to attend workshops with scouts to monitor progress. All workshops are led by trained Teacher-Naturalist adult volunteers and staff.
Registration and payment are required prior to the event. Scout leaders can register their Scouts as a group, or individual scouts can register directly with the Nature Center. 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 participating in workshop activities. Registration closes seven days prior to the workshop.
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.
All workshops held at Indian Creek Nature Center 5300 Otis Rd. SE Cedar Rapids, IA 52403 unless otherwise noted.
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. There are no cancellations due to rain or cold weather. All programs can be adapted to indoor workshops in cases of severe weather (thunderstorms). 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.
Individual scouts or groups can participate in one of our pre-scheduled workshops. If your group of ten Scouts or more is unable to attend the scheduled workshops, your group may sign up for its own workshop (subject to the availability of staff). You may select from any of the workshops offered. Contact the Nature Center for more information.
Girl Scout Workshops
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
Your senses come alive in nature! Come participate in an exciting nature scavenger hunt, listen to nature sounds, sniff out some interesting smells, and feel the different textures found around the Nature Center. We’ll have a snack to explore our taste buds and make nature inspired art creations. Activities from this workshop may be applied towards parts of the Between Earth and Sky Journey and/or the Outdoor Art Badge.
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: TBD
Time: TBD
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
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
“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 watercolors. 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
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
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, creekstomping 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! Make a trade item to leave in a cache. Bring your own GPS unit or borrow one of the Nature Center’s units. We’ll visit a geocache website. 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
Please note: This program has been CANCELLED due to COVID-19 precautions.
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
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.
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 a fun leaf craft. 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).**
Daisies, Brownies & Juniors Workshop
Date Offered: TBD
Time: TBD
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 birds sightings or help us monitor water quality.