2008 Scout Programs 2009

Owl's Hill is happy to work with scout groups to enhance their nature studies and help them earn nature and environmental badges.  Scout troops and their families are also welcome at our special events, detailed at Family Programs.   Many of the activities at these events apply to requirements for scout badges.  Adults attending our special events can apply for Green Leaf Credits; ask the program director for a request form.

Registration: Individual troop visits may be scheduled from September through May, Monday through Friday during the morning or early afternoon, and after school Monday through Thursday.  Due to Daylight Savings Time, some programs are not available after school from November 1 - January 15.  Programs last 1 - 2 hours; ending no later than 6 PM.  Reserve a space with the  on-line Program Request Form, by e-mail or by phone: 615-370-4672. The Sanctuary is closed from December 15 to January 15. 

Reservations for individual troop visits are acknowledged with a leader's package containing additional information for leaders, scouts, parents and chaperones. An invoice is included in the packet; please note the due date for your payment as failure to receive this may result in the loss of your preferred date and time.

Fees:  All scout program fees are pre-paid.  Your payment  is refundable only in the event of severe weather. For individual troop visits, we will work with you to reschedule should you need to cancel for other reasons IF we are notified in advance.  Cancellations without advance notification are not eligible for rescheduling or refund. Payments cannot be carried over from one program year to the next; for accounting purposes, we consider the program year to run from August through May.  Payments for Special Events are NOT eligible for rescheduling and are non-refundable unless Owl’s Hill cancels the program.  

Register for Special Events  on-line or by phone:  615-370-4672.  These programs are not recognized with a reservation packet or tickets, except for the Great Pumpkin Fair.  Your receipt is your cancelled check or printed on-line registration receipt.

Credit card registrations may be called in or completed on-line.  Please send checks or deliver cash to:

Owl's Hill Nature Sanctuary
545 Beech Creek Road
Brentwood TN 37027

Visitors will learn to identify native trees, study tree rings, find out how fire affects the forest, discover how wood from different trees is used, learn how to plant a tree then enjoy a hotdog dinner in the lovely Owl’s Hill Gathering Pavilion.  Webelos can earn the Forestry Badge.  Prepaid reservations by February 25, 2009.  Cost:  $10/child, $5/adult.  Arrival by 4:30 allows time to enjoy all activities and dinner.  Children receive a sapling to plant at home.

Earth Day Celebration, Friday April 17, 2009; 3:30 pm

Discover common household items for green-cleaning, make a terrarium, “tour” a hybrid car, participate in a Can Stomp and a Recycling Race, learn Earth Day songs, view examples of items made from recycled materials, paint an Earth Day banner then enjoy a hotdog dinner in the lovely Owl’s Hill Gathering Pavilion.  Designed for first through fourth grade. Brownie Scouts will earn the Earth Is Our Home Try It.  Cost: $10/scout; $5/adult.  Pre-paid reservations by April 1, 2009

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*Tiger Cub Scout Let's Go Outdoors, Go See It  activity (see Scout Interpretive Hike listed below)
*Wolf Cub Scout Bird Arrow Point Trail Elective
*Bear Cub Scout Sharing Your World with Wildlife Achievement
*Webelo Naturalist Badge (Webelo Forestry Badge can by earned at the Arbor Day Celebration, March 6)

Cost: $8/scout, $4/adult, 2 leaders free.  Minimum of $50, maximum of 20 scouts.  Includes an Owl's Hill patch.  Note:  Due to the early onset of twilight, these programs are not available after school between November 1 and January 15 unless scouts can arrive by 2:30 pm. 

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*Cadette or Senior Girl Scout All About Birds Interest Project: 2 skill builders
*Cadette or Senior Girl Scout Wildlife Interest Project: 2 skill builders
*Brownie Girl Scout Try Its:

• Animals Try It
• Eco-Explorer Try It
• Watching Wildlife Try It
• Water Everywhere  Try It (scheduled through Oct. 3 and after April 13; latest reservation is 4 PM)
• Earth Is Our Home Try It can be earned at the Earth Day Celebration, April 17

Cost: $8/scout, $4/adult, 2 leaders free.  Minimum of $50, maximum of 20 scouts.  Includes an Owl's Hill patch.  Note:  Due to the early onset of twilight, these programs are not available after school between November 1 and January 15 unless scouts can arrive by 2:30 pm. 

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.

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Enjoy a  hike through various habitats looking for signs of the season, animal homes, and interesting plants.  Hikes scheduled after school for November through January may be Twilight Hikes.  This is appropriate for the Tiger Cub Let's Go outdoors, Go See It activity.  Cost: $6/scout, 2 leaders free, $4/additional adult.  Minimum of $50, maximum of 20 scouts.  Includes an Owl's Hill patch. 

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Learn to identify native trees, using leaves, bark, shape and location.  Scouts will be introduced to the use of a field guide, make a simple leaf press  and begin a leaf collection that can be expanded on future scout or personal outings.  The program lasts 2 hours; the latest reservation is 3:30 PM.  Cost: $8/scout, $4/adult, 2 leaders free.  Minimum of $50, maximum of 20 scouts.  Includes an Owl's Hill patch. 

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Scouts will consider the water cycle, learn about watersheds, experiment with basic water chemistry and have a feet wet adventure gently catching, identifying and releasing aquatic critters in the stream.  This is a two hour program; the latest reservation time is 4 PM. It may also be scheduled for weekday mornings or early afternoons.  Appropriate for scouts working on the Water Drop Project.  Dress to get wet and muddy; bring a change of clothes.  Cost: $8/scout, $4/adult, 2 leaders free.  Minimum of $50, maximum of 20 scouts.  Includes an Owl's Hill patch. 

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Scouts will consider the water cycle, learn about watersheds, experiment with basic water chemistry and have a feet wet adventure gently catching, identifying and releasing aquatic critters in the pond.  This is a two hour program; the latest reservation time is 4 PM. It may also be scheduled for weekday mornings or early afternoons.  Appropriate for scouts working on the Water Drop Project.  Dress to get wet and muddy; bring a change of clothes.  Cost: $8/scout, $4/adult, 2 leaders free.  Minimum of $50, maximum of 20 scouts.  Includes an Owl's Hill patch. 

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Learn about winter adaptations of local plants and animals and how to offer shelter to wildlife in your own yard. Make two treats for our chilly outdoor friends, then 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.  Return to the Gatherine Pavilion for hot chocolate, marshmallows and a reading of Eve Bunting's book, The Night Tree.  The latest reservation time is 4:00 PM.   Cost: $8/scout, 2 leaders free, $4/additional adult.  Minimum of $50, maximum of 20 scouts.  Includes an Owl's Hill patch. 

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Learn to identify native trees, using twigs, bark, shape and location.  Scouts use a dichotomous key for twig ID, then take their new knowledge into the forest on a tree hike.  The program lasts 2 hours; the latest reservation is 3:30 PM.  Cost: $8/scout, $4/adult, 2 leaders free.  Minimum of $50, maximum of 20 scouts.  Includes an Owl's Hill patch.

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Scouts working on badges with a focus on wildlife, conservation or the environment may wish to attend our public programs.  There is no minimum or maximum number requirement to attend these programs, only a per person fee.  Except for the Bluebird Workshop, which is designed for adults and interested older children, all are open to families.  Scout leaders attending these programs are eligible for Green Leaf Credits.  Ask the Sanctuary program director for a Green Leaf Credit Request Form.  Additional information is available on the Family Programs page.  Register on-line or call 615-370-4672. 

We have a limited number of openings available for Scouts seeking an Eagle Service Project or a Gold Project.  Contact Jean Buchanan by e-mail or at 615-370-4672.  Projects are completed between August 1 and April 1.