Scouting groups can schedule a visit to the Foundation to participate in activities that help them learn more about the wild world in which we live. Scouts also build skills to help them enjoy the outdoors even more through activities such as fishing and camping. Below you will find the collection of programs that we offer to both Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, to help them achieve a variety of outdoor-related badges and patches. We also offer Conservation Projects, Service Projects, Eagle Scout Projects , Advanced Awards for Girls Projects and Special Opportunities. (Please see our School Programs for other fun programs that we offer such as First Time Fishing, Maple Syruping, and Turkey Talk. We can also prepare a custom program for your group. The majority of these programs are also offered free of charge.)

PROGRAMS FOR GIRLS

We offer fun and educational opportunities for all levels to help become skilled naturalists and outdoor women. We have designed these programs to meet the criteria of the appropriate badges. On occasion, some badges require more than one visit to the Foundation or extra activities to be done by the individual scout.

Most programs are free of charge and the minimun group size is six. We ask that no siblings attend to ensure the quality of our programs. Generally programs are scheduled after school, if you are more than 15 minutes late, the program will be shortened. If you are more than 30 minutes late, the program may be cancelled.

Animals: Take a closer look at the amazing features of owls, deer and raccoons. Learn how to communicate like bats and spiders do. (1 hour)

Eco-Explorer:  Explore nature and find a habitat for the animals. Discover why leaves, sticks, and rocks are important for the animals. (1 hour)

Fishing Fun:  Try your hand at identifying fish, casting, and waiting for a bite. Earn the McGraw Fishing Fun Patch. (2 hours, materials provided. Group fee: $30 for 6-15 kids, $50 for 16-24 kids)

Outdoor Adventure: Head out on a hike through the woods and let your senses help you find amazing discoveries. (1 hour)

Watching Wildlife: Take a hike to find a meal for a woodpecker or a worm. Take time to watch a squirrel and look for a deer bed. (1 hour)

* McGraw School Programs offered to Scouts by special request only.

Programs for girls ages 8-11 yrs old

Earth Connections Badge (2 hours)

EPA Waterdrop*(2hours)

Leave No Trace (2 hours)

Sportfishing**(4 hours, Group Fee applies)

Programs for girls ages 11-17 yrs olds  

Advanced Angler**(two 2 hour sessions, Group Fee applies)

Birds (1 1/2 hours)

EPA Waterdrop (2 hours)

Wildlife (two 1 1/2 — 2 hour sessions)

To learn more about the USEPA Water Drop Patch. Click here to learn more. 

**This badge is only available at Max McGraw Wildlife Foundation

 
BOY SCOUTS
Boy Scouts of all levels can come to McGraw to work on earning badges and experience the fun of being outdoors. Each of the programs below was developed to meet the needs of the respective badges, and staff at the Foundation are certified merit badge counselors. Some merit badges require more than one visit to the Foundation or extra activities to be done by the individual scout.

Most programs are free of charge and the minimum group size is six. There is a fee of $30 for Weekend and Special Programs. We ask that no siblings attend to ensure the quality of our programs. Generally programs are scheduled after school. If you are more than 15 minutes late and the program will be shortened. If you are more than 30 minutes late and the program may be cancelled.

Programs for Wolf Cub Scouts
Fishing Elective: Gain fish identification skills. Practice casting your bait to the best spot to land a mightly bluegill or bass. (2 hours, group fee is $30, 6 to 15 scouts or $50, 16-24 scouts)


Programs for Bear Cub Scouts
Sharing your World with Wildlife Achievement: Explore the tools researchers use to study coyotes. Start your own research by discovering what animals live here at McGraw and those that are threatened & endangered. (1 1/2 hours)


Programs for Webelos Scouts  
Forester Activity Badge: Which tree is an oak tree and which is a hickory? Discover ways to tell the difference and how you can age a tree. (1 1/2 hours)

Naturalist Activity Badge: Dependant upon the season, take a closer look at bird migration or insects by exploring McGraw and learn how all animals are connected through the food chain. (1 1/2 hours)


Programs for Boy Scouts (3+ hours; may require multiple trips to McGraw and additional work outside of field trips, Group Fee applies)
Environmental Science Merit Badge
Fishing Merit Badge
Fish & Wildlife Management Merit Badge
Forestry Merit Badge
Nature Merit Badge


Conservation Projects, Service Projects
All Scouts can participate in a Conservation Project that will benefit the native plants and animals at the Foundation. These projects include restoration of our forests and prairies, which involves learning about, and removing invasive and exotic plant species as well as planting native plants. This project can help Cub Scouts earn their World Conservation Award. The program is 1-1 1/2 hours, year round. Service Projects include trail maintenance, cleaning up our forests, and helping to maintain other tools in natural resource management.

Eagle Scout Projects and Gold and Silver Awards
If you have Girls interested in earning their Gold or Silver Awards or Eagle Scouts interested in Projects, contact us at 847-428-2240 to discuss possible ideas.

Registration for Scouting Programs
Most programs offered at McGraw are free, however, those that are 3 or more hours will be charged a fee of $5 per child.

Our minimum group size is 6 scouts, and maximum is 15 scouts per instructor. We request that no siblings be brought along.

We require 1 adult per 10 children to accompany the scouts.

Scout programs are generally scheduled directly after school, but long programs on weekends can also be arranged.

If your group arrives more than 15 minutes late, the program will be shortened. If you are more than 1/2 hour late the program may be cancelled.

We can accommodate special programs you may desire with advanced notice.


Call us for more information and to schedule your programs. Our calendar fills fast so call as early as possible! (847) 428-2240. 

For more information on Boy and Girl Scouts check out our Links Page for links to national and local scouting programs.