Programs for Cub Scouts
Follow the Boy Scout Trail to the Academy of Natural Sciences! Our activities are perfect for troops, dens, and packs looking for advancement and adventure! The Academy offers exciting and interactive weekend Activities Days and our popular Safari Overnights sleepovers for 7-14 year olds.
Boys will complete their belt loops and pins, but please remember that we do not provide them.
Activity Days
Cub Scout Activity Days (for Tiger, Wolf and Bear Scouts) are being offered in the Fall of 2011 and the Winter and Spring of 2012. (See the schedule of workshops dates at the bottom of this page.) You can register for either the morning (10:15 am - 12:15 pm) or afternoon (1:30 - 3:30 pm) sessions. Two different programs are offered:
- Rock the World!
- Scouts will participate in games, skits, crafts and demonstrations that teach them about natural resources and how to show respect and responsibility for the natural world. This interactive lesson fulfills the necessary requirements for the Cub Scout Geology Academic Belt Loop and Pin as well as the “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.”
- Tiger elective: The lesson also contains activities from the Scientist Academic Belt Loop and Pin.
- Wolf elective: “Start a Collection” and “Your Living World”
- Bear elective: “Sharing Your World With Wildlife”
- Wildlife Conservation
- Scouts will learn about natural resources, endangered species, camouflage, conservation, and more through interactive games, activities, and a craft. This lesson fulfills the requirements for the Cub Scout Wildlife Conservation Belt Loop and Pin.
Activity Days Details
The fees per scout are $10 for the Workshop and $7 for museum admission. Workshop fees are due upon registration. Admission fees are due upon arrival. Admission fees for adults are $7 and are due upon arrival. Members do not pay for admission.
A final headcount is due one month prior to the workshop; any cancellation after this date will not be refunded. Space is limited. Register early for your preferred date and time.
Scout parents and leaders can Download additional information about cancellations, workshop fees, where to go the day of the workshop, and more.
Please inform us of any severe allergies or special needs at least one week before your program.
To register, call 215-299-1060.
Interested in a different date? Private workshops can be scheduled for scout groups of 20-30. Contact us at or 215-299-1060.
Safari Overnights
Work on belt loops and pins during a fun-filled night of interactive activities that includes a Live Animal Show. Then stay all night, sleeping right next to our museum exhibits. Have breakfast in the morning and, if you want, stay the day. Safari Overnights are offered during the Winter and Spring.
- Saturday, January 21, 2012, Forester Overnight
- Friday, February 24, 2012, Scientist Overnight
- Saturday, March 3, 2012, Geologist Overnight
- Saturday, March 31, 2012, Wildlife Overnight
- Friday, April 27, 2012, Naturalist Overnight
- Saturday, May 19, 2012, Badge Medley Overnight
Check-in is at 6:30-7:00 pm. Overnight gear must be removed from the building by 9 am, but participants are welcome to stay all day. Safari Overnights are appropriate for children ages 7-14. One adult is required per 3 children. Girl siblings are not permitted.
The fees are $35 for members and $40 for non-members. A deposit of $10 per person is due upon registration. The balance is due one month prior to the Safari Overnight date.
To register, call 215-299-1060.
- If you cancel:
- Any cancellations made more than 30 days before the date will be refunded in full. Partial or full cancellations made 7-30 days before the overnight will be subject to a $10/person fee. Cancellations made the week of the overnight will not be refunded.
- If we cancel:
- The Academy may cancel a Safari Overnight if there aren't enough participants. If so, we'll notify you two weeks prior to the event. We'll try to arrange another overnight for you. If not, you'll be granted a full refund.
- Downloads
- Safari Overnight Guide for Trip Coordinators
- Safari Overnight Guide for Parents and Chaperones
- Directions and Parking for Safari Overnights
Interested in a different date? Private overnights can be arranged for groups of 100-300 participants. Contact us at or 215-299-1060. See Family Safari Overnights you're an individual, family, or non-scout group interested in our Camp-In program.
Emergency Weather Cancellation Policy
In times of severe weather conditions, it may be necessary to cancel scout workshops. However, if the museum is open scout workshops will run as scheduled. Refunds will only be provided if the museum has closed due to weather. Please check the website homepage www.ansp.org or call 215-299-1019 for information on closings. In the event of a weather related cancellation, the Academy will attempt to reschedule the workshop. If rescheduling is not possible, a full refund will be provided.
Program Schedule
| Year | Date | Activity Days | Safari Overnights |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | November 19 | Wildlife Conservation | |
| November 20 | Wildlife Conservation | ||
| December 3 | Rock the World! | ||
| December 4 | Rock the World! | ||
| 2012 | January 21 | Forester Overnight | |
| February 11 | Wildlife Conservation | ||
| February 12 | Wildlife Conservation | ||
| February 24 | Scientist Overnight | ||
| March 3 | Rock the World! | Geologist Overnight | |
| March 4 | Rock the World! | ||
| March 31 | Wildlife Overnight | ||
| April 27 | Naturalist Overnight | ||
| May 19 | Wildlife Conservation | Badge Medley Overnight | |
| May 20 | Wildlife Conservation |