Scout programming at the Rochester Museum & Science Center provides scouts with hands-on experiments and activities centered on the Scouts BSA and Girl Scouts of America badge requirements and the RMSC's mission of inspiring curiosity, exploration, and participation in science, culture, and the natural world.
Experience instructor-led classroom activities and experiments along with exhibit exploration at the RMSC Museum and outdoor programs at the Cumming Nature Center. Join us with your Den, Pack, or Troop here at the RMSC!
To schedule, call 585.697.1942. Pre-registration is required. There is NO day-of registration. Non-refundable payment in full is required upon registration.
Program Minimum: 8 scouts (Can be a combination of scouts from different groups OR from the same troop. Minimum must be met by two weeks prior to program date, or it will be subject to cancellation)
Program Maximum: 15 scouts
How to Register
- Individual scouts may register for the program of their choice and programs may be made up of scouts for a combination of different troops to meet the group minimum.
- Programs can also be reserved for an entire troop or part of a troop.
- Scouting programs run at the following times:
- Daisy, Brownie Juniors and Tiger, Bear, and Webelo programs are available from 9am-12pm or 1-4pm on Saturdays, and 10am-1pm or 2pm-5pm on Sundays.
- Merit Badge, Cadette, and Senior programs are available from 9am-4pm on Saturdays and 10am-5pm on Sundays.
Cancellations & Refunds
- All programs that have not met the minimum group size of 8 scouts two weeks prior to the program date will be subject to cancellation.
- Non-refundable payment in full is required upon registration.
- In cases of inclement weather or another situation that interrupts the safe operation of the RMSC and mandates the closure of our campus, you will be notified as soon as any closure is confirmed. Credits for future programs will be issued accordingly.
Costs
Daisy, Bear, Webelos, Brownies, and Junior Programs
$20 per scout
Merit Badge, Cadette, and Senior Programs
$35 per scout
Troop leaders or chaperones attending as required by program ratios (with a max group size of 15 this will be 2 adults) are free to all scout day programs. Extra adults/chaperones will not be permitted to stay in the classroom.
Information for Scout Leaders
Scout program times are prompt! Please ensure that you and your scouts are at RMSC or Cumming Nature Center 15 minutes prior to the program start for check-in.
Scouts should follow the scout to adult ratio required by their scouting organization. Space in the classroom is limited, so be mindful of the number of adults that will stay in the classroom. Parents are more than welcome to explore the museum and enjoy the café.
Explore Boy Scout and BSA Programs
Cub Scouts: Bear
Robotics
Discover the world of robotics! Explore a robot’s function in the workplace. Learn about animatronics and investigate the similarities and differences between robots and humans. Try your hand at building and programming a robot. (Participants will be using Lego NXT Model robot kits) Schedule an Experience!
Super Science
Become a scientist for the day! Create static electricity and learn why things sink or float. Try your hand at mixing colors and make a sun catcher to bring home. Schedule an Experience!
Cub Scouts: Webelos
Engineer
Design, build, and test! This program explores all aspects of engineering. Learn about the different types of engineers and the jobs they perform. Practice the engineer design process as you try your hand at different challenges. Get hands-on in our Inventor Center exhibit. Schedule an Experience!
Earth Rocks
Step back in time as you explore the Earth’s geology. Learn about how the Earth was formed, discover its rocks, minerals, and fossils, and explore fascinating Earth events like volcanoes and geysers. Take a look at our extensive geological collection and discover Rochester’s geology as you experience our Expedition Earth exhibit. Schedule an Experience!
Adventures in Science
Explore the many different fields in science including astronomy, physics, chemistry, biology, and engineering with hands-on activities and projects. Delve deeper into the areas you are interested in. Create an experiment using the Scientific Method and experience our Museum’s interactive exhibits. Schedule an Experience!
Into the Woods
This program takes place at Cumming Nature Center. Take a hike to discover local plants and animals and learn how they make up an ecosystem. Learn how to determine a tree's age and create your own “Tree Ring of Life.” Explore all that the Nature Center has to offer both inside and out! (Program will run rain or shine, so come dressed for the weather.) Schedule an Experience!
Into the Wild
This program takes place at the Cumming Nature Center. Nature is all around us. Take a hike to discover local animals, learn about wetlands and other ecosystems, and make a mini terrarium. Explore all that the Nature Center has to offer both inside and out! (Program will run rain or shine, so come dressed for the weather.) Schedule an Experience!
Scouts BSA: Merit Badges
Sustainability
What can you do to “go green”? Learn all about sustainable practices being used today with water, food, energy, and everyday items that can help preserve the Earth’s natural beauty. Discuss the controversial side of the sustainability conversation, while you get hands-on with some sustainable practices. Explore our interactive exhibits and have the option of creating your own rain barrel (Barrel pre-order required upon registration).
*Please note prerequisites are required for this class. Download the Sustainability Merit Badge prerequisite information here and input the results of your projects here.
- Saturday, October 16 | 9-4pm
- Sunday, March 20 | 10-5pm
Register for October 16
Register for March 20
Nuclear Science
Discover the wonders of nuclear science. Learn about radiation and its harmful effects on humans, wildlife, and the environment. Explore the benefits of nuclear science and how nuclear energy is produced. Experience energy concepts hands-on with the Museum’s Energy Trail.
- Saturday, November 6 | 9-4pm
- Sunday, January 23 | 10-5pm
Register for November 6
Register for January 23
Robotics
Discover the world of robotics! Explore a robot’s function in the workplace. Learn about animatronics and investigate the similarities and differences between robots and humans. Try your hand at building and programming a robot. (Participants will be using Lego NXT Model robot kits)
- Sunday, November 7 | 10-5pm
- Saturday, January 22 | 9-4pm
Register for November 7
Register for January 22
Geology
Become a geologist! Learn about how the Earth was formed, discover its rocks, minerals, and fossils, and explore fascinating Earth events like volcanoes and geysers. Take a look at our extensive geological collection and discover Rochester’s geology as you experience our Expedition Earth exhibit.
- Sunday, January 9 | 10-5pm
Register for January 9
Soil & Water Conservation
Conservation is not just for those whose work focuses on environmental issues, it’s everyone’s responsibility to learn more about conservation practices and what they can do today to help protect and maintain our natural resources. Get hands-on with soil, erosion, water pollution, and alternative energy sources. Explore museum exhibits and view an Enviroscape demonstration.
- Saturday, April 9 | 9-4pm
Register for April 9
Plant Study
Join us at Cumming Nature Center and plan on getting your hands dirty. How does scientists count how many trees there are in a forest? Do plants need humans or do human need plants. Scouts will discover the importance of plants and how scientists count the trees, shrubs and plants to determine the health of a forest.
Please Note: This Merit Badge will take place at the Cumming Nature Center in Naples, NY. Please dress appropriately for the weather.
- Saturday, April 23 | 9-4pm
Register for April 23
Inventing
Learn about the inventing process and inventions you use every day. Become an inventor as you complete the RMSC’s Inventor Center challenge and see if you can improve your invention. Learn about an inventor that works here at the RMSC!
- Sunday, December 5 | 10-5pm
- Saturday, February 5 | 9-4pm
Register for December 5
Register for February 5
Explore Girl Scout Programs
Girl Scouts: Daisies
Robotics
Complete all three Daisy Robotics badges in one session! Learn what robots do, how robots move, and design your own robot in this hands-on class. Schedule an Experience!
Space Science Explorer
Explore the sun, moon, and stars as we look up to the sky and learn about what we see.
A Planetarium show is not included in this badge program. Add a planetarium show to your visit for an additional $8 per person(subject to availability). Schedule an Experience!
Girl Scouts: Brownies
Home Scientist
Get into some kitchen chemistry! Learn about chemical reactions that you can do with everyday household items. Try hands-on activities, explore the museum’s interactive exhibits, and enjoy a Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream Social. Schedule an Experience!
Hiker
This program takes place at the Cumming Nature Center. Head out on the trail! Learn about how to prepare for your hike, to spot trail signs, what to wear and pack, and the do’s and don’ts of hiking safely. Check out all that the Nature Center has to offer both inside and out! (Program will run rain or shine, so please dress for the weather.) Schedule an Experience!
Inventor
Design, build, test! Discover the building blocks of becoming an inventor. Learn the design process and test your skills as you complete a design challenge. Get hands-on in our Inventor Center. Schedule an Experience!
Outdoor Art Creator
This program takes place at the Cumming Nature Center. Use your five senses to explore nature and practice your art skills. Go on a nature detective walk and make a leaf rubbing. Brush up your painting skills to make a landscape painting.
The program will run rain or shine—come dressed for the weather! Schedule an Experience!
Bugs
This program takes place at the Cumming Nature Center. What’s the difference between a spider and an insect? Become a junior entomologist and explore a bug’s life through the museum’s collection of creepy crawly critters. Learn all about what makes a bug a bug, where they live and what they eat.
Program will run rain or shine—come dressed for the weather! Schedule an Experience!
Outdoor Adventurer
Have an outdoor adventure at Cumming Nature Center! Go for a hike, play a game and learn a new outdoor skill while learning about the environment around you. Schedule an Experience!
Programming Robots
Experiment with simple machines and robot senses. Learn about programs and algorithms in order to code your own robot. Schedule an Experience!
Designing Robots
Learn the steps of the Engineering Design process while you make your own bug-bot. Schedule an Experience!
Space Science Adventurer
Make a mini-planetarium and a pocket solar system as you learn about space and the night sky.
A Planetarium show is not included in this badge program. Add a planetarium show to your visit for an additional $8 per person(subject to availability). Schedule an Experience!
Girl Scouts: Juniors
Detective
Become a super sleuth! Discover what it takes to be a detective and learn the skills and techniques used in the field to solve crimes. Test your memory and try your hand at fingerprinting. Solve a mini museum mystery! Schedule an Experience!
Flowers
This program takes place at the Cumming Nature Center. Learn all about flowers as you dissect a flower and go on a flower identification hike at the Cumming Nature Center. Make your own flower bookmark to take home!
Program will run rain or shine—come dressed for the weather! Schedule an Experience!
Outdoor Art Explorer
Get inspired by nature at the Cumming Nature Center. Explore and how and nature interact as you create art inspired by the outdoors and even make your own terrarium to bring home. Schedule an Experience!
Programming Robots
Get to know how robots work, program a Mars Rover and try your hand at coding your own robot. Schedule an Experience!
Designing Robots
Learn about the future of robotics and sse the Engineering Design Process to create a prototype of a robot to solve a problem. Schedule an Experience!
Space Science Investigator
Learn about our Solar System and explore the Strasenburgh Planetarium as you become a Space Science Investigator. Make a star wheel to take home and a scale model of the Solar System.
A Planetarium show is not included in this badge program. Add a planetarium show to your visit for an additional $8 per person(subject to availability). Schedule an Experience!
Girl Scouts: Cadettes
Special Agent
Become a special agent and explore the world of forensics. Practice your observation skills and try out fingerprinting. Be a forensic biologist and extract DNA. Make some blood and see how it spatters! Test out your skills at being a sketch artist. Schedule an Experience!
Trees
This program takes place at the Cumming Nature Center. Learn about the importance of trees and go on a tree identification walk. Check out the Maple Sugaring house at the Cumming Nature Center and try a tree treat. Become a citizen scientist and help our trees!
Program will run rain or shine—come dressed for the weather! Schedule an Experience!
Outdoor Art Apprentice
Go outside and see how art is inspired by nature at the Cumming Nature Center. Make your own seed paper and learn about nature sounds. Schedule an Experience!
Girl Scouts: Seniors
Sky
Visit the Strasenburgh Planetarium to learn about our night sky and constellations. View the stars through our telescope and learn about the layers of the atmosphere. Experiment with air pollution and launch a rocket!
A Planetarium show is not included in this badge program. Add a planetarium show to your visit for an additional $8 per person(subject to availability). Schedule an Experience!
Spend an Evening at the RMSC with Your Scouts!
Give your group an experience they’ll never forget, an evening at the museum! Enjoy a unique opportunity to engage in hands-on activities, visit the planetarium, see our singing Tesla Coils in the Electricity Theater, or be amazed with a Live Science Presentation, and of course have the opportunity to explore the RMSC’s 3 floors of interactive exhibits after hours. Discover what the RMSC holds for you!
Interested in booking a private evening experience? Call us for more information and to make your reservation: 585.697.1942
Availability and Cost
This program is available on Fridays and Saturdays from October through June (No availability July-September).
Groups arrive at 5pm and depart by 11pm.
Program Minimum: 25
Program Maximum: 100
Cost: $45 per child, 1 free adult with every 10 children. $20 per additional adult.
In the Community
Explore these resources for additional scout volunteer opportunities in your community.
Be an H20 Hero in Your Neighborhood
