The Forest Preserve District offers a variety of Scout programs at its education centers. These programs are designed to help boys and girls not only earn their badges but also enjoy the outdoors.
Our Scout program descriptions are found below the request form.
We offer scout programs from Sept. 1 through June 1 and most are available week day afternoons or weekends, by request, with at least three weeks advanced registration. Program reservations for the 2022/2023 academic year are now being accepted. Completed registration forms will be booked on a first come, first served basis. Programs book quickly, so we encourage advance registration. Payment is due one week prior to your scheduled program. No refunds are offered for cancellations or changes in headcount made fewer than one week prior to the program date or absent scouts on the program date.
If you have questions at any time during the registration process, please call the registration specialist at 630-933-7247 for assistance.
Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place. Our Girl Scout programs introduce life skills and the outdoors to grow with a girl.
Brownie: Bug
Discover the amazing world of bugs as you learn how they help the environment, visit with live bugs, complete a craft and go on a bug hunt. 90 minute program.
Requirements 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
$5 per Scout or other participant (minimum of 10 Scouts required per program)
Preserve |
Town |
Acres |
Shelters |
Trails (miles) |
Wheaton |
825 |
0 |
6 |
|
Oak Brook |
226 |
1 |
4 |
|
Woodridge |
1414 |
2 |
14 |
|
Wheaton |
896 |
4 |
7 |
|
Downer's Grove |
393 |
1 |
2 |
|
Hanover Park |
953 |
1 |
4 |
|
Naperville |
465 |
2 |
7 |
|
Bartlett/Wayne |
3474 |
1 |
8 |
|
West Chicago |
1163 |
0 |
2 |
|
Darien |
2492 |
1 |
12 |
|
West Chicago |
462 |
0 |
4 |
|
Wood Dale |
185 |
2 |
1 |
Brownie: Hiker
Learn how to prepare for a hike, and then take your new skills on a 1-mile trek, practicing observation skills to identify wildlife along the way. 90 minute program.
Requirements 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
$5 per Scout or other participant (minimum of 10 Scouts required per program)
Preserve |
Town |
Acres |
Shelters |
Trails (miles) |
Wheaton |
825 |
0 |
6 |
|
Oak Brook |
226 |
1 |
4 |
|
Woodridge |
1414 |
2 |
14 |
|
Wheaton |
896 |
4 |
7 |
|
Downer's Grove |
393 |
1 |
2 |
|
Hanover Park |
953 |
1 |
4 |
|
Naperville |
465 |
2 |
7 |
|
Bartlett/Wayne |
3474 |
1 |
8 |
|
West Chicago |
1163 |
0 |
2 |
|
Darien |
2492 |
1 |
12 |
|
West Chicago |
462 |
0 |
4 |
|
Wood Dale |
185 |
2 |
1 |
Junior Girl Scout: Animal Habitat
Discuss and observe local wildlife and their habitats, and learn how you can help and protect their communities. 90 minute program.
Requirements 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
$5 per Scout or other participant (minimum of 10 Scouts required per program)
Preserve |
Town |
Acres |
Shelters |
Trails (miles) |
Wheaton |
825 |
0 |
6 |
|
Oak Brook |
226 |
1 |
4 |
|
Woodridge |
1414 |
2 |
14 |
|
Wheaton |
896 |
4 |
7 |
|
Downer's Grove |
393 |
1 |
2 |
|
Hanover Park |
953 |
1 |
4 |
|
Naperville |
465 |
2 |
7 |
|
Bartlett/Wayne |
3474 |
1 |
8 |
|
West Chicago |
1163 |
0 |
2 |
|
Darien |
2492 |
1 |
12 |
|
West Chicago |
462 |
0 |
4 |
|
Wood Dale |
185 |
2 |
1 |
Junior Girl Scout: Geocacher
Learn how GPS units use satellite signals, craft a geocaching trade item, and take an outdoor geocaching treasure-hunt adventure. 90 minute program.
Requirements 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
$10 per Scout or other participant (minimum of 10 Scouts required per program)
Fullersburg Woods Nature Education Center in Oak Brook
Our Cub Scout programs provide hands-on learning about nature, hiking, science and more and are designed to advance badge work.
Tiger: Into the Wild
Learn about hiking essentials and take a 1-mile hike, where you’ll learn about wildlife and plants you find along the way. 90 minute program.
Requirements 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7
$5 per Scout or other participant (minimum of 10 Scouts required per program)
Preserve |
Town |
Acres |
Shelters |
Trails (miles) |
Wheaton |
825 |
0 |
6 |
|
Oak Brook |
226 |
1 |
4 |
|
Woodridge |
1414 |
2 |
14 |
|
Wheaton |
896 |
4 |
7 |
|
Downer's Grove |
393 |
1 |
2 |
|
Hanover Park |
953 |
1 |
4 |
|
Naperville |
465 |
2 |
7 |
|
Bartlett/Wayne |
3474 |
1 |
8 |
|
West Chicago |
1163 |
0 |
2 |
|
Darien |
2492 |
1 |
12 |
|
West Chicago |
462 |
0 |
4 |
|
Wood Dale |
185 |
2 |
1 |
Wolf: Paws on the Path
Learn about hiking essentials and how to read a map, and then take a 1-mile hike, where you’ll learn about wildlife and plants you find along the way. 90 minute program.
Requirements 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
$5 per Scout or other participant (minimum of 10 Scouts required per program)
Preserve |
Town |
Acres |
Shelters |
Trails (miles) |
Wheaton |
825 |
0 |
6 |
|
Oak Brook |
226 |
1 |
4 |
|
Woodridge |
1414 |
2 |
14 |
|
Wheaton |
896 |
4 |
7 |
|
Downer's Grove |
393 |
1 |
2 |
|
Hanover Park |
953 |
1 |
4 |
|
Naperville |
465 |
2 |
7 |
|
Bartlett/Wayne |
3474 |
1 |
8 |
|
West Chicago |
1163 |
0 |
2 |
|
Darien |
2492 |
1 |
12 |
|
West Chicago |
462 |
0 |
4 |
|
Wood Dale |
185 |
2 |
1 |
Bear: Fur, Feather and Ferns
Learn different ways to observe wildlife and identify signs animals leave behind on a 1-mile hike, and discover the importance of composting and gardens. 90 minute program.
Requirements 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
$5 per Scout or other participant (minimum of 10 Scouts required per program)
Preserve |
Town |
Acres |
Shelters |
Trails (miles) |
Wheaton |
825 |
0 |
6 |
|
Oak Brook |
226 |
1 |
4 |
|
Woodridge |
1414 |
2 |
14 |
|
Wheaton |
896 |
4 |
7 |
|
Downer's Grove |
393 |
1 |
2 |
|
Hanover Park |
953 |
1 |
4 |
|
Naperville |
465 |
2 |
7 |
|
Bartlett/Wayne |
3474 |
1 |
8 |
|
West Chicago |
1163 |
0 |
2 |
|
Darien |
2492 |
1 |
12 |
|
West Chicago |
462 |
0 |
4 |
|
Wood Dale |
185 |
2 |
1 |
Bear: A Bear Goes Fishing
Learn about different types of fish and fishing equipment, and spend time fishing and practicing what you learned. 90 minute program.
Requirements 1, 2, 3, 4 (elective)
$5 per Scout or other participant (minimum of 10 Scouts required per program)
Blackwell Forest Preserve in Warrenville
or Hidden Lake Forest Preserve in Glen Ellyn
Webelos: Walkabout
Make a hiking plan and a mini first aid kit, and then learn about the plants and animals around you on a 3-mile hike. 2 - 3 hour program.
Requirements 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
$5 per Scout or other participant (minimum of 10 Scouts required per program)
Blackwell Forest Preserve in Warrenville
or Churchill Woods Forest Preserve in Glen Ellyn
Webelos: Into the Wild
Go “into the wild” to look for and learn about local wildlife as you unravel the mysteries of migration, play a part of the food chain, and discover the importance of water conservation. 90 minute program.
Requirements 4, 5, 6, 7a, 7b, 7c, 8, 9a (Arrow of Light elective)
$5 per Scout or other participant (minimum of 10 Scouts required per program)
Preserve |
Town |
Acres |
Shelters |
Trails (miles) |
Wheaton |
825 |
0 |
6 |
|
Oak Brook |
226 |
1 |
4 |
|
Woodridge |
1414 |
2 |
14 |
|
Wheaton |
896 |
4 |
7 |
|
Downer's Grove |
393 |
1 |
2 |
|
Hanover Park |
953 |
1 |
4 |
|
Naperville |
465 |
2 |
7 |
|
Bartlett/Wayne |
3474 |
1 |
8 |
|
West Chicago |
1163 |
0 |
2 |
|
Darien |
2492 |
1 |
12 |
|
West Chicago |
462 |
0 |
4 |
|
Wood Dale |
185 |
2 |
1 |
Webelos: Into the Woods
On a short hike, discover why trees are important, how trees help the environment, and how you can identify native plants and animals. 90 minute program.
Requirements 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 (Arrow of Light elective)
$5 per Scout or other participant (minimum of 10 Scouts required per program)
Fullersburg Woods Nature Education Center in Oak Brook
or Churchill Woods Forest Preserve in Glen Ellyn
Scouts can work towards a different badge the second Saturday of each month September – June. These fun, hands-on programs are for ages 10 – 17 and are $30 per Scout per program. See more about the Scout Merit Badge Program.
The Eagle Scout and Gold Award programs are closed until spring 2023 as we update the programs and work on the new Scout Project List. Those interested in pursuing an Eagle Scout or Gold Award project with the Forest Preserve District should contact Volunteer Services at 630-933-7233 after March 2022. We look forward to working with you soon!
Other programs are not exclusive to Scouts and may satisfy badge requirements. Call one of our education centers for program details.
Danada Equestrian Center
630-668-6012
Fullersburg Woods Nature Education Center
630-850-8110
Mayslake Peabody Estate
630-206-9566
Willowbrook Wildlife Center
630-942-6200
We also offer self-guided courses for Scout outings. To reserve equipment (and get your free permit if your group has more than 25 people), call Visitor Services at 630-933-7248.
Self-Guided Compass Course at Blackwell Forest Preserve
Help Scouts practice and sharpen navigation and math skills by using compasses to locate checkpoints with information about natural and cultural history.
Grades 4 – 6
Self-Guided Orienteering Course at Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve
Explore natural areas while trying to locate checkpoints using maps and compasses to navigate a marked course.
Grades 4 – 12
Complete and submit the program form on this page and provide registration information, preferred date and time, and other details.
DuPage forest preserves have open grassy picnic areas with tables at no extra cost, and some offer shelters on a first-come, first-served basis. A few shelters can be reserved in advance for a fee either online 24/7 or through Visitor Services weekdays at 630-933-7248.
The Forest Preserve District is committed to making its programs available to all groups. Please mention any accessibility needs or concerns when you reserve your program.
For details on group projects or ways your Scouts can help out at special events, call Volunteer Services at 630-933-7233.
Request a Scout Program
Girl Scout Programs
Cub Scout Programs
Scouts and Scout Merit Badge Program
Eagle Scout Projects
Other Programs
Self-Guided Courses
Frequently Asked Questions
More About
Scout Programs
Scout Merit Badge Programs
Youth-Group Camping
Banner image © Boy Scouts of America
3S580 Naperville Road
Wheaton, IL 60189
630-933-7200
forest@dupageforest.org
Monday – Friday
8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
The Forest Preserve District is committed to making its facilities accessible to all visitors. Contact 630-933-7683 or TTY 800-526-0857.