Located within the Ladd Arboretum and housing a variety of live animals, the Evanston Ecology Center makes an ideal location for your scout troop to explore with our educational and interactive programing. For questions about our programing, email ecologycenter@cityofevanston.org or call 847.448.8256.

Girls Scouts

All programs are designed for 1.5 hours long, but can be adjusted to meet your needs. Based on availability, programs can be organized for after school or on the weekend. Reservations are required two-weeks in advance.

For more information and reservations  email ecologycenter@cityofevanston.org  or call  847.448.8256.

Daisy  (K-1st Grades)

Using Resources Wisely
Read and discuss Clover’s Story, create a collage, and learn how the Ecology Center practices being resourceful!

Make the World a Better Place
Read and discuss Rosie’s Story, learn about recycling, and help clean up the Ladd Arboretum.

Outdoor Art Maker
Join Ecology Center staff to look at nature like an artist and make outdoor art while enjoying time in nature. 

Bugs
Learn about and explore the incredible insects of the world and take home a bug craft.

Home Scientist:
Do science experiments to learn about static electricity, density, and what happens when you add Mentos to coke.  Make slime to take home.

Senses
Scouts will explore each of our 5 senses while hiking through nature and discovering the natural world.

Hiker
Learn about planning and preparing for a hike in nature and then go on a short hike with the group.

Letterboxing
Discover letterboxing, make your own stamp and clues, find a letterbox, and discuss making your own adventure.

Outdoor Adventurer
Scouts will try new activities in the outdoors, learn outdoor skills and care for the outdoors.

Outdoor Art Creator
Scouts will continue to look at nature like an artist and create their own outdoor artwork.

Flowers
(spring-early fall)  Learn all about flowers, explore the outdoors to find flowers, and discuss the many uses for flowers while making a craft to take home.

Gardener
(spring-early fall)  Visit our garden, research and plan your own, plant a seed to take home and watch it grow.

Detective
Scouts will make observations, practice with codes and fingerprinting, and be a detective to solve an outdoor  mystery.

Geocacher
Learn how to use a GPS unit, make a trade item and go on a geocaching adventure.

Animal Habitats
Learn how to help protect animal habitats, meet native animals and make an animal house to take home.

Eco Camper
Learn special skills for successful minimal impact camping.

Outdoor Art Explorer
Scouts will find art in nature and create outdoor artwork.

Trees
Visit the Ladd Arboretum to learn about the importance of trees and take steps to help our trees thrive. 

Outdoor Art Apprentice
Scout artists will be inspired by the outdoors to create nature themed art.

Cub Scouts

Programs vary in length depending on the requirements and reservations are required two weeks in advance.

For more information and reservations email ecologycenter@cityofevanston.org  or call  847.448.8256.

Tiger (1st Grade)

Backyard Jungle
Tigers will discover the wonders of the urban jungle by going on outdoor adventures, building a bird house and planting a native plant.

Tigers in the Wild
Join us in the Ladd Arboretum to learn the essentials of hiking. We will learn what to pack and bring on a hike, the principles of Leave No Trace, and explore nature around us while hiking.

Wolf (2nd Grade)

Paws on the Path
Wolves experience the essentials of hiking on an exploratory hike through the Ladd Arboretum. Wolves will learn about hiking safety, identifying wildlife and map symbols.

Air of the Wolf
Wolves will investigate air and weather through experiments and games. We will also build a kite out of recycled materials.

Bear (3rd Grade)

Fur, Feathers, and Ferns
While going on a hike, Bears will learn about and observe different types of animals and discuss threats to their survival. Bears will also discover plant life while on their journey and learn about different ways plants are beneficial to the environment.

Weeblo (4th-5th Grade)

Into the Woods
Weeblos will visit the Ecology Center to learn all about trees and their role in the environment. Weeblos will plant a tree and discuss how people benefit from trees in their daily lives.

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Evanston Ecology Center

2024 McCormick Blvd.
Evanston, IL 60201
847-448-8256