Scouts Workshops

Dates available throughout 2024

Registration required

Earn your scout badges the wild way!

Did you know you can stash your sash with merit badges earned at the Detroit Zoo? Our Scout Workshops are back, and Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts are invited to earn badges and have fun at the Zoo through hands-on activities. Each workshop allows young learners to interact directly with Zoo experts and engage with the world around them. From exploring animal behaviors to digging for fossils, there’s sure to be a workshop perfect for every troop.

What can you expect during Scouts Workshops?

• A chance to fulfill your merit badge requirements
• Interactive activities
• Education from Zoo experts
•  And more!

Be the first to sign up for a date and get your pick of program!

Scouts can score their badges at the Detroit Zoo, and entire troops can tackle the day anyway they want — if they’re quick to click “register” now! Days are determined by whichever troop registers first, meaning they’ll get first pick of all the best badge workshops. 

You won’t be doing this solo, though — instead, other troops will be right there beside you, collecting their badges as well! If you see a date that doesn’t have any attendees, register there to earn any badge of your choosing. 

All March- June Dates On-Sale February 13, 2024

 
 
 
Cadette Workshops

Friday, May 3rd Cadettes 6-9 pm

PROGRAM	DESCRIPTION	REGISTRATION
Lions- Rumble in the Jungle	Explore the animal world with games and crafts that will help you participate in a parade with your group through the Zoo! Scouts will even explore behind the scenes to see what it’s like to work at the zoo. This Scout Workshop will meet all requirements for the “Rumble in the Jungle” badge (requirements 1-2 badge not included).	REGISTER TRI-COUNTY REGISTRATION
Lions- Ready, Set, Grow	Become a botanist for the day! Scouts participating in this workshop will take a behind-the-scenes tour of the Detroit Zoo’s greenhouses to learn what it takes to have a green thumb! Scouts will then explore what it takes to grow the plants used to feed animals and people too while planting their very own plant to take home. This Scout Workshop will meet all requirements for the “Ready, Set, Grow” badge (requirements 1-3 badge not included).	REGISTER TRI-COUNTY REGISTRATION
Tigers – Tigers in the Wild	Get ready to take a hike in the Zoo! We will use all our senses to take in our surroundings and learn how to be responsible scouts in the outdoors. This Scout Workshop will meet all requirements for the “Tigers in the Wild” badge (requirements 1-7 badge not included).	REGISTER TRI-COUNTY REGISTRATION
Tigers- My Tiger Jungle	Scouts will explore the many species of birds that live at the Detroit Zoo! Scouts will learn from experts all about what makes birds unique. Young learners will also build a birdhouse for their backyard so they can continue observing birds for years to come! This Scout Workshop will meet all requirements for the “My Tiger Jungle” badge (requirements 1, 3 & 5 badge not included).	REGISTER TRI-COUNTY REGISTRATION
Wolves -Digging in the Past	Become a paleontologist for the day! Dig for and analyze fossils, make a model of your own dinosaur and learn how today’s birds are related to their prehistoric cousins. This Scout Workshop will meet all requirements for the “Digging in the Past” badge (requirements 1,2, 3b & 4 badge not included).	REGISTER TRI-COUNTY REGISTRATION
Wolves- Paws on the Path	Explore the Zoo and experience plants and animals you may not expect. Scouts will learn the principles of hiking while taking a hike through the Zoo. We will even learn to identify various plants and animals using field guides. This Scout Workshop will meet all requirements for the “Paws on the Path” badge (requirements 1-6 badge not included).	REGISTER TRI-COUNTY REGISTRATION
Bears – Critter Care	Caring for animals at the Detroit Zoo and companion animals at home is a lot of work! Learn from the experts about what it takes to care for animals and what makes a good companion animal. Scouts will explore behind the scenes to see what it’s like to work at a zoo. This Scout Workshop will meet all requirements for the “Critter Care” badge (requirements 1-3 badge not included).	REGISTER TRI-COUNTY REGISTRATION
Bears- Fur, Feathers, Ferns	In this workshop, Scouts will build their wildlife observation skills. As we hike through the Zoo, you will encounter and learn about various species, including some that are endangered in the wild. Then, with your newly honed observation skills, we’ll look for different signs that wild animals live nearby. This Scout Workshop will meet all the requirements for the “Fur, Feathers and Ferns” badge (requirements 1-7 badge not included).	REGISTER TRI-COUNTY REGISTRATION
Webelos- Into the Wild	Do you ever wonder why animals do the things they do? In this Scout Workshop, you will begin to understand some of the animals who call the Zoo home through observation and exploration. This Scout Workshop will meet all requirements for the “Into the Wild” badge (requirements 3-9 badge not included).	REGISTER TRI-COUNTY REGISTRATION
Webelos- Into the Woods	Explore the science of dendrology as we study all things trees! In this Scout Workshop, we will learn to tell native Michigan trees apart, learn about how trees benefit nature and people, as well as take home a tree to plant in your own yard. This workshop will meet all requirements for the “Into the Woods” badge (requirements 1-4 & 7 badge not included).	REGISTER TRI-COUNTY REGISTRATION
Daisy- Think Like a Citizen Scientist.	Become a scientist for your community! Scouts will learn to make observations, collect data and complete a citizen science project. They’ll even have an opportunity to explore behind the scenes and put their newfound science skills into action! This Scout Workshop will meet all requirements of the “Think Like a Citizen Science” journey except the “Take Action” project (requirements 1-5 badge not included).	REGISTER TRI-COUNTY REGISTRATION
Daisy- Animal Observer	Unlock the secrets of the wild world by using your observation skills, and learn all about the different animals around you by just looking at them! You will be able to spot some wild animals, play some games, and explore the world around you. This Scout Workshop will meet all of the requirements for the “Animal Observer” badge (requirements 1-5 badge not included).	REGISTER TRI-COUNTY REGISTRATION
Brownies – Bug Badge	Bugs help us in a lot of cool ways! Explore the world of bugs and learn from experts why bugs play an important role in our world. Scouts can then use their newfound knowledge to build a bug hotel for their own backyards. This Scout Workshop will meet all requirements of the “Bugs” badge (requirements 1-5 badge not included).	REGISTER TRI-COUNTY REGISTRATION
Brownies- Think Like a Citizen Scientist	Learn how to become a scientist in your community! Scouts will learn to sharpen their observation skills and then participate in a real citizen science project using their new skills. This Scout Workshop will meet all of the requirements for the “Think Like a Citizen Scientist” journey except the “Take Action” project (parts 1-4 scouts will complete their take action project at home badge not included).	REGISTER TRI-COUNTY REGISTRATION
Juniors – Animal Habitats	Why do animals behave the way they do? What are the special adaptations that help them survive in the wild? We’ll explore these questions as we learn all about animal habitats. In this workshop, scouts will learn about how animals survive in the wild and how we give them the best care possible at the Detroit Zoo. This Scout Workshop will meet all the requirements of the “Animal Habitats” badge (requirements 1-5 badge not included).	REGISTER TRI-COUNTY REGISTRATION
Juniors- Flowers	Become a botanist and discover the science of flowers. Scouts will take a behind-the-scenes tour of the Zoo’s greenhouses while learning about how flowers can help people and animals, too! We’ll take time to explore flower anatomy and how flowers grow. Scouts will even have the opportunity to make their own flower crafts to take home. This Scout Workshop will meet all the requirements of the “Flowers” badge (requirements 1-5 badge not included).	REGISTER TRI-COUNTY REGISTRATION
Cadettes – Night Owl	Explore the Zoo after hours to learn what happens after the sun goes down for both the animals who live on grounds and the people who work here. This Scout Workshop will meet all the requirements of the “Night Owl” badge (requirements 1-5 badge not included).	REGISTER TRI-COUNTY REGISTRATION
Cadettes- Think Like a Citizen Scientist	Use your observation skills and practice the scientific method to collect data for the Citizen Science Project “Celebrate Urban Birds”. Scouts will learn the basics of birding and the methods of observation. They will use these newfound skills to participate in a real citizen science project. Afterward, scouts will plan their own take-action project to benefit birds in their home communities. This Scout Workshop will meet all the requirements of the “Think Like a Citizen Scientist” journey (parts 1-4 scouts will complete their take action project at home, badge not included).	REGISTER TRI-COUNTY REGISTRATION