Scout Programs
Scout programs at the Binghamton Zoo are specially designed to accommodate troops or individual Girl Scouts or Boy Scouts. Through interactive learning experiences, our programs encompass a wide variety of zoo-related events in the hopes that scouts develop a sense of citizenship, pride in their community, and a wealth of knowledge. This is tied closely with the Binghamton Zoo's mission of providing a setting for conservation, education, as well as recreation.
General Programs - available to Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, who will be awarded the Binghamton Zoo's personalized patch/badge
I Visited the Zoo! (Daisies, Cub Scouts) - 2 hour (day) - $9.00 per scout, $7.00 per extra adult/sibling
- This program includes a guided tour for scouts, with some added bonuses! Feed the goats, and interact with one of our education animals on your way through. A craft will be provided at the end to take home.
- This is a seasonal only program.
What Animals Eat (All levels/ages) - 1 hour (day or evening) - $10.00 per scout, $8.00 per extra adult/sibling
- From how they eat to what they eat, the digestive systems of animals are very different from ours. Through discussions about carnivores, herbivores, omnivores and insectivores, scouts will learn what different animals eat, and then help prepare an animal diet.
Zoo Clean-Up! (All levels/ages) - 1-2 hours (evening) - $3.00 per scout and extra adult/sibling
- Help keep our earth clean, one zoo at a time. Scouts will get a walking tour of the zoo, with the addition of trash bags and gloves, and clean up the zoo grounds on the way!
- This is a seasonal only program.
Birding (Brownies and Juniors, Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts) - 1.5 hours (morning) - $10.00 per scout, $8.00 per extra adult/sibling
- Ornithology is the study of birds, and the zoo is the perfect place for an aspiring ornithologist to get started! Binoculars will be provided for the duration of the program, and with the help of the Binghamton Zoo Birding Booklet, scouts will be able to identify some of the native birds in our area, as well as those on exhibit in our zoo!
Bugs (All levels/ages) - 1 hour (day) - $7.00 per scout and $4.00 per extra adult/sibling
- Join the Eat a Bug Club, while learning about different cultures that regularly east insects! You'll take a closer look at live bugs we have here at the zoo, and highlighting a few native and exotic insect species!
Working in a Zoo! (Juniors and above, Webelos and Boy Scouts) - 1 hour (morning, day, or evening) - $5.00 per scout and $3.00 per extra adult/sibling
- There are many different jobs in a zoo environment. Come learn about the different departments, jobs, and responsibilities in a zoo and how you could get on the path to working in a zoo!
Ladies in Zoo Careers (Girl Scouts) - 2 hours (evening) - $10.00 per scout, $8.00 per extra adult/sibling
- A little known fact about zoo keeping is that most animal caretakers are now women. This field has gone through a shift from just farming, to encompassing the trained animal husbandry practices of zoo keeping we know today. Come enjoy a talk from some of the ladies of the Binghamton Zoo about why they are zookeepers and how you could become one too someday! Then help them clean an exhibit so you can see exactly what their job entails. The program will conclude with a special animal craft.
Girl Scouts
Working on obtaining a new badge, patch, or journey? Think we can help? Give us a call! To design activities to earn badges like the examples below, please call the Binghamton Zoo Education Department at (607) 724-5461 ext. 235 to set up a program meeting.
- Daises: Zinni Petal (Considerate and Caring), Three Cheers for Animals Journey
- Brownies: Bugs Badge, Celebrating Community Badge
- Juniors: Animal Habitats aMUSE Badge
- Cadette: Animal Helpers Badge, Night Owl Badge
- Seniors: Voice For Animals Badge
Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts
Working on obtaining a new badge? Think we can help? Give us a call! To design activities to merit badges (such as the examples below), please call the Binghamton Zoo Education Department at (607) 724-5461 ext. 235 to set up a program meeting.
- Bird Study
- Citizenship in the Community
- Insect Study
- Mammal Study
- Nature
- Reptile and Amphibian Study
- Fish and Wildlife Management
Girl Scout Awards and Eagle Scout Projects
The zoo is the perfect place for a project to advance on your path to becoming an Eagle Scout or earning your Bronze, Silver, or Gold Award and help out your community! There are many options available, so contact the Education Department at 607-724-5461 ext. 235 to set up a project meeting and schedule.
Discount Days for Scouts!
Look for information on our website about specific dates devoted to scouts! Wear your uniform and get in free on these days! If you are interested in participating in any of our special discount day sessions, please register online with the forms below.
Program Schedule:
- 10 am (Daises, Cub Scouts)
- 11 am (Brownies, Cub Scouts)
- 12 pm (Juniors, Cub Scouts)
- 1 pm (Cadettes, Boy Scouts)
- 2 pm (Seniors, Boy Scouts)
- 3 pm (Ambassadors, Boy Scouts)
Programs located in our Education Center in the lower parking lot.
- Max per session: 30 scouts, 10 extras (siblings, adults)
- Min per session: 7 scouts, 3 extras (siblings, adults)
April 27, 2013 - This day is devoted to recognizing and commemorating the commitment and initiative that all scouts have! Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts who arrive dressed in their scout level uniform will gain free entry to the Binghamton Zoo! Troops who plan to attend ahead of time may register for our special program, "Insect Exploration." During this program, we'll discuss different cultures that regularly eat insects, take a closer look at live bugs we have here at the zoo, and highlight a few native and exotic insect species! Scouts will also get a chance to join the Eat a Bug Club!
- Insect Investigation - April 27, 2013 - SOLD OUT!
- Join the Eat a Bug Club, while learning about different cultures that regularly eat insects! You'll take a closer look at live bugs we have here at the zoo, and highlighting a few native and exotic insect species!
Payment and Registration
- Please call the Binghamton Zoo Education Department at (607) 724-5461 ext. 235 to book your scout program or meeting. The number of people attending should be expressed during this time.
- Once a date has been confirmed, an invoice will be created to be presented to the troop leader upon arrival at the zoo. Payment is due, in full, at the time of booking and is dependent on the number of people participating.
- Payment options include: Visa, MasterCard, Discover, cash, or checks made payable to The Binghamton Zoo.
*All scout programs require a minimum of 10 participants
*Scout leaders pay the adult/sibling price
