Scouts can participate in many activities and events held throughout the council's geographic territory. Community organizations, nonprofits and government institutions often provide programs and activities for Scout units.
Throughout 2012
St. Louis County Volunteer Poll Workers: The St Louis County Election Boards' Volunteer Poll Worker Program, "Volunteers for Democracy," is underway. Volunteers are needed for the 2012 Election Cycle. The Elections scheduled this year are April 3, June 5, Aug. 7 and Nov. 6. The Volunteer Poll Worker Program is an excellent opportunity for students to learn first-hand knowledge of how democracy works. Individuals who are interested in volunteering must be between 16 and18 years of age, they do not have to be registered voters or declare a political party, but they must have parental and school permission. Additionally, volunteers must attend a required training class prior to the election. Hours vary, but to get the full election experience, we ask that they work the same hours as poll workers from 5 a.m. until after the polls close, to help with the opening and closing duties. Each volunteer will receive a Certificate of Appreciation after the election. For more information, contact Audra Spencer at 314-615-1866 or aspencer@stlouisco.com.
Through June 15 - Take a Shot! at Shaw Nature Reserve: Shaw Nature Reserve encourage budding young photographers to explore the outdoors and capture their experiences in the Take a Shot! youth nature photography contest. More information, including rules for the contest, can be found at the 
Shaw Nature Reserve Take a Shot! website.
Scouting Programs at MOBot: Missouri Botanical Gardens offers various programs for Scouts; visit the 
MO Botanical Gardens website for more information.
Giant City Stables: The stables at Giant City State Park offer many different programs for Scouts. They can be found at the 
Giant City Stables website, or call 618-529-4110 for more information or to discuss other options for your pack or troop.
Vertical Voyages: Climbing course company Vertical Voyages offers a 10% discount to Scouts. You can see the courses they offer at their website, Vertical Voyages. (Note: Technical tree-climbing with ropes or harnesses is not authorized as an approved activity by the Boy Scouts of America.)
Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House: The education department offers two options for Scouts visiting the Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House. First, enhance a self-guided tour with an activity booklet, filled with age-appropriate word games and puzzles to complete as children study the insects and other animals on display. An accompanying patch serves as commemoration for your visit. For a more involved visit, consider bringing a Webelos den to the Butterfly House for the Case of the Dismembered Cricket. After being sworn in as detectives for the Bug Bureau of Investigation, clues must be collected to solve the caper of crickets missing from a garden. Call (636) 530-0076 x13 for details and to place a reservation, or visit The Butterfly House or The Butterfly School for more information.
Safety Basics: Run by two licensed nurses, Safety Basics hosts safety classes and first aid programs in the Saint Louis area. To see a list of scheduled classes, or for more information about booking a program for your group, please visit the Safety Basics website.
Missouri Court of Appeals Eastern District: The Missouri Court of Appeals Eastern District is an intermediate state appellate court that hears appeals from trial courts in the eastern half of Missouri. The court consists of fourteen judges who dispose of more than 1600 cases per year. The court has organized a Speaker's Bureau to help inform and educate Missouri citizens about the state court system. The judges on the Court make themselves available to speak to groups and organizations to explain who they are and what they do. The Court also welcomes visitors to its location in the historic Old Post Office. If you are interested in having one of the judges from the Court address your group or in touring the Court, please contact the Clerk of the Court, Laura Roy, at 314-539-4300 to make the necessary arrangements.
Learn and Earn at Leftovers, Etc.: Leftovers, Etc. in St. Charles offers 101 Cub Scout Achievement, Elective and Academic Pin and Belt Loop workshops for Tigers, Wolves, Bears and Webelos. Leftovers also offers 17 Boy Scout workshops that complete merit badge requirements.Workshops are offered from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Leftovers is closed on Sunday. For more information, or to schedule an activity, call 636-946-9779.
City Museum Pick-a-Patch: There are new badge options for Tigers, Wolves, Bears, Webelos and Boy Scouts -- and, of course, all programs allow Scouts to explore City Museum! To schedule a Pick-a-Patch program, contact Tracey at groups@citymuseum.org. Pick-a-Patch programs are $16 per Scout and $6 per escort or sibling. City Museum requires two weeks' notice to schedule a program.
The Magic House: Scouts are invited to troop on over The Magic House for their next Scouting adventure. During the school year, Scout Workshops for Cub Scout packs are available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 4:00 pm, on select Fridays at 4:00 pm, 5:15 pm, or 6:30 pm, and on select Saturdays at 10:00 am, 11:15 am, 1:00 pm, or 2:45 pm. These programs meet requirements for Bears (Electricity and Nature Craft Electives and Art Electives) and Webelos (Scientist Activity Badge and Artist Activity Badge). Scout workshop are $8.75 per Scout and $8.75 per person for all accompanying adults and leaders.
The Magic House also offers Camp-Ins for Bears and Webelos. Scout groups can camp inside "under the exhibits" and have The Magic House all to themselves on select Fridays from October through May. Campers explore the more than 100 hands-on exhibits in The Magic House, enjoy an evening snack and light breakfast, sleep among the exhibits, take part in fun badge activities, and receive a special Magic House patch. The cost is $32 per person and at least one adult is required for every five Scouts. A $50 non-refundable deposit is due when making reservations.
All Scout programs include admission to The Magic House. Reservations are required and can be made online at The Magic House's website or by calling The Magic House at (314) 822-8900 ext. 18.
St. Louis Children's Hospital: St. Louis Children's Hospital offers private classes for groups of 10 or more, and will even come to your location. Classes listed below meet some badge requirements. Call 314.286.0464 or email programs@bjc.org to schedule a private class.
- Basic Aid Training - Four-hour first aid program for kids ages 9-12. A completion card is given at the end of the class; workbook and light snack are provided. $15/child
- Babysitting 101 - Four-hour introduction to the basics of babysitting. Topics include the business of babysitting, child development, safety/first aid, fun and games, and more; workbook and light snack provided. $30/child
- Staying Home Alone - Two-hour class to help parents and children determine the child's readiness - physically, mentally, socially, and emotionally - to stay home by themselves, and help prepare them for the experience; workbooks are provided - one for parents and one for children. $25/parent & child
- Helmet Safety Checks - Kids can bring their own helmet and a trained safety expert will check it for proper fit. Parents and their children will learn how to adjust the helmet themselves so they can continue this important safety practice at home. New helmets available for $8; minimum of 20 participants required.
