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Environmental Enrichment Programs

For Individual Troop or Den Visits

The activities associated with the following programs apply to requirements for numerous badges and scout projects, while educating your scouts about the world around them.  

  • $8/scout; $5/adult; 2 leaders free for most programs
  • Minimum of $50.00
  • Maximum of 20 scouts
  • Includes an Owl's Hill patch
  • Offered weekdays morning, early afternoon or after school
  • Unless otherwise stated, program lasts 1 1/2 hours
  • Due to the early twilight, some of these programs may not be available between November 1 and January 15 unless scouts can arrive by 3 pm
  • Weekend openings are not available
  • These programs are not open to tag-a-longs of any age.

Nature Hike 

  • Hike through various habitats looking for signs of the season, animal homes and items of interest.
  • Hikes scheduled after school for November through January will be Twilight or Night Hikes.  
  • Ideal for the Tiger Cub Let's Go outdoors, Go See It activity.
  • Program lasts 1 1/2 hours; the latest reservation is 4:30 PM.
  • Appropriate for Scouts of all ages.
  • Offered throughout the year.

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Native Trees in Autumn

  • Learn to identify native trees, using leaves, bark, shape and location. 
  • Learn to use of a field guide.
  • Make a simple leaf press.
  • Hike in the forest and begin a leaf collection that can be expanded on future outings.
  • Program lasts 2 hours; the latest reservation is 3:30 PM.
  • Appropriate for Scouts third grade and older.
  • Offered September through November.

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Native American Program

  • Study artifacts from Middle Tennessee Native Americans as well as other tribes.
  • Practice using different kinds of symbols to communicate.
  • Listen to a Native American story.
  • Program lasts 1 1/2 hours.  Latest reservation is 4:30 PM.
  • Appropriate for Scouts second grade and older
  • Offered September through November

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Native Trees in Winter

  • Learn to identify native trees, using twigs, bark, shape and location. 
  • Learn to use a dichotomous key for twig ID.
  • Take a tree ID hike, using  new knowledge of twigs. 
  • The program lasts 2 hours; the latest reservation is 3:30 PM.
  • Appropriate for Scouts in Middle School and High School.
  • Offered January through March.

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Pond Ecology

  • Consider the water cycle.
  • Learn about watersheds.
  • Experiment with basic water chemistry.
  • Enjoy a feet wet adventure gently catching, identifying and releasing aquatic critters in a pond.
  • Appropriate for scouts working on a Water Wonders Badge or the Water Drop Project.
  • Dress to get wet and muddy; bring a change of clothes.
  • The program lasts 2 hours; the latest reservation is 4 PM.
  • Appropriate for Scouts third grade through Middle School.
  • Offered through September 30 and after April 15.

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Stream Ecology

  • Consider the water cycle.
  • Learn about watersheds.
  • Experiment with basic water chemistry.
  • Enjoy a feet wet adventure gently catching, identifying and releasing aquatic critters in a stream.
  • Appropriate for scouts working on the Water Drop Project.
  • Dress to get wet and muddy; bring a change of clothes.
  • The program lasts 2 hours; the latest reservation is 4 PM.
  • Appropriate for Scouts in Middle School and High School .
  • Offered through October 15 and after April 15.

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Winter Wildlife

  • Learn about winter adaptations of local plants and animals.
  • Explore the Owl's Hill Wildlife Feeding Stations.
  • Find out how to offer shelter to wildlife in your own yard.
  • Make two treats for our chilly outdoor friends.
  • Return to the Gathering Pavilion for hot chocolate in front of the fireplace.
  • Listen to a reading of Eve Bunting's book, The Night Tree.
  • Hike through the gathering dusk to the Owl's Hill Tree for the Animals.
  • Place one treat on the tree and take the other home for your own wild friends. 
  • Program lasts 1 1/2 hours; the latest reservation is 4:30 PM.
  • Appropriate for Scouts in Kindergarten through Third Grade 
  • Offered November through February

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Use a Compass

  • Learn the parts of a compass and how to use it.
  • Practice on the Owl's Hill Compass Circle. 
  • Owl's Hill provides compasses for use during the program. 
  • Appropriate for scouts earning the Skills Patch. 
  • This program lasts 1 1/2 hours; the latest reservation depends on time of year.
  • Appropriate for Scouts Third Grade and Older. 
  • Scouts should have a basic understanding of the geometry of a circle.
  • Offered throughout the year.

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Basic Orienteering

  • Review the parts of a compass and how to use it.
  • Practice on the Owl's Hill Compass Circle. 
  • Follow either the introductory or advanced Owl's Hill  Orienteering Course.
  • Owl's Hill provides compasses for use during the program. 
  • This program lasts 1 1/2 hours; the latest reservation depends on time of year.
  • Appropriate for Scouts Third Grade and Older who already know how to use a compass.
  • Offered throughout the year.

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Fossils of Middle Tennessee

  • Define what makes an artifact a fossil.
  • Find out how fossils were made. 
  • Discover what kinds of creatures made local fossils.
  • Learn why dinosaur bones are not common in Middle Tennessee.
  • Go on a fossil hunt through the Sanctuary.
  • Appropriate for scouts working on the Rock On Try It, Rocks Rock Badge or Webelo Geologist Badge.
  • This program lasts 1 1/2 hours. 
  • Appropriate for Scouts Third Grade through Middle School 
  • Offered October through March

REQUEST A PROGRAM