On October 7-8, 14-15 and 20-22 the Detroit Zoo will be open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., closing early for Zoo Boo. Get your tickets here!

Scouts Workshops

Dates available throughout 2023

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. 

 Register here

Be the first to sign up for a date and get your pick of program- open dates!
** Registration will close two weeks before the workshop date

Sep 16, 2023

10 a.m. – 12 p.m. – Webelos in the Wild

 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. – Juniors- Animal Habitats

September 30, 2023 

10 a.m. – 12 p.m. 

 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. – Juniors- Animal Habitats

October 7, 2023 

10 a.m. – 12 p.m. 

October 14, 2023 

10 a.m. – 12 p.m. – Wolves – Digging in the Past

October 21, 2023

10 a.m. – 12 p.m. – Wolves – Digging in the Past

October 28, 2023 

2 p.m. – 4 p.m. – Brownies- Bugs Badge

November 4, 2023

10 a.m. – 12 p.m. – Juniors- Animal Habitats

 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. 

November 11, 2023

10 a.m. – 12 p.m. – Bears- Critter Care

 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. – Wolves- Digging in the Past

 

Cadette workshops: 

May 20, 2023 – 6 p.m. -9 p.m. 

October 28, 2023 – 6 p.m. -9 p.m. 

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


Tigers – Tigers in the Wild

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


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


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


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


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


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


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. Scouts will even take a behind-the-scenes tour to learn about some of the special things we do for the animals to feel at home. This Scout Workshop will meet all the requirements of the “Animal Habitats” badge (requirements 1-5 badge not included).
Register


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