Lake Erie Nature & Science Center is uniquely positioned to bring scouting programs to life in a way that engages students and exploration given our resident wildlife, certified merit badge counselors, expansive natural campus, public access planetarium and walking distance to Lake Erie.
Self-guided Backpacks
All-inclusive backpacks provide all the materials, instructions and activities necessary for your troop to complete a variety of natural science badges on your own. For a limited time, the Center will offer backpack rentals to complete at-home. Backpacks include all materials with the exception of writing utensils. Badges will be provided once the backpack is returned and backpacks will be cleaned after each use.
Please email scouts@lensc.org to schedule your backpack rental.
Girl Scout Backpacks
Eco Learner Backpack
Daisy Girl Scouts
Learn what to take and what not to take on an adventure outdoors while you learn about being prepared. See what creatures live right next to the trail and learn why you should always stay on the trail. Finally play a game where you learn all about why you should trash your trash. Length: 1.5 hours
Hiker Backpack
Brownie Girl Scouts
Learn about hiking in the area and what gear you should bring on your trip. Practice observation skills and play hiking games. Please dress for the weather. Length: 1.5 hours
Pets Backpack
Brownie Girl Scouts
Play pet BINGO and learn how much space pets need in your home to be comfy. Learn how much it costs to feed a pet and play a smart pet owner game. Visit with some animals that could be considered pets, then make a cat or dog toy to take home. Length: 1.5 hours
Senses Backpack
Brownie Girl Scouts
Use all of your five senses during this fun after-noon! Play sight, sound, memory and smelly games. Take part in a taste test and differentiate sweet, bitter, sour, and salty. Learn about touch and how the visually impaired use their senses to read with braille. Length: 1.5 hours
Bugs Backpack
Brownie Girl Scouts
Buggy about bugs? Creepy crawlies don’t creep you out? This is for you, adventurous girl! Take a field trip to watch bugs at home and at work. Make a bug box and create a creepy, crawly craft. Length: 1.5 hours
Animal Habitats Backpack
Junior Girl Scouts
Learn about animals native to our area and how parent animals take care of their babies. Explore endangered habitats across the globe and discover ways you can help the animals in your own backyard. Length: 1.5 hours
Detective Backpack
Junior Girl Scouts
Take part in a brand new mystery: Code Crackers! Practice your powers of observation, work on decoding messages from around the world and uncover the strange world of fingerprints. Try your hand at fiber analysis and use your skills to crack the code and find the prize! Length: 1.5 hours
Outdoor Art Apprentice Backpack
Cadette Girl Scouts
Learn about artists that were inspired by nature, and use their stories to create your own art! Then used the clay provided to sculpt or press you own piece of nature art. Make your own nature inspired playlist to play for your friends and family. Take your phone or camera outside to practice being a nature photographer, and finally test your skills sketching architecture you see while outside! Backpack includes materials for all 5 steps of the badge. Leaders/girls need to provide their own art supplies, and camera or phone capable of taking photographs.
Special Agent Backpack
Cadette Girl Scouts
Take your own fingerprints and compare them to your sister girl scouts, then watch a video to test your observation skills. Test your skills as a forensic chemist in a chromatography experiment. See if you can tell that someone is lying and finally see how good you would be as a criminal sketch artist! Backpack includes materials for all 5 steps of the badge. Leaders/girls need to provide coloring supplies, pencils, and one internet capable device.
Cub Scout Backpacks
Tigers in the Wild Backpack
Tiger Cub Scouts
Go on a short hike with your den or family, and make sure you bring along your Cub Scout Six Essentials! Learn what to take on a hike and what needs to stay home, practice preparing for a hike and play a leave no trace game. Finish out your adventure by learning about trees and plants you find on the trail. Backpack program includes instructions and lessons for requirements 1-3 and 6.
Call of the Wild Backpack
Wolf Cub Scouts
Talk about what you need to go on a short hike with your group. Learn about possible weather changes and extreme weather that could happen on your hike and learn how to be prepared for each one. Practice tying an overhand knot and learn about some animals that you might see while out for a hike. Backpack program includes instructions and lessons for requirements 1-6.
Paws on the Path Backpack
Wolf Cub Scouts
Talk about the Cub Scout Six Essentials and everything else you need for a one mile hike. Learn what you need to bring on a hike and what items should really stay home. Use the field guides to learn about the animals you see on your hike.
Backpack program includes instructions and lessons for requirements 1-6.
Fur, Feather, and Ferns Backpack
Bear Cub Scouts
Talk a hike and learn all about animals in this backpack. Explore extinct and endangered animals, and observe animals in your own backyard. End your backpack adventure with a virtual tour of the Lake Erie Nature & Science Center.
Backpack program includes instructions and lessons for requirements 1-4.
Into the Wild Backpack
Webelos Scouts
Learn about birds in your own backyard and what flyways they use to migrate. Spend some time outside looking for wild creatures (use the field guides provided to help you identify them!) and learn about producers, consumers, and decomposers in a fun game. End your adventure with a virtual tour of the Lake Erie Nature & Science Center.
Backpack program includes instructions and lessons for requirements 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 9A.
Outdoor Adventurer Backpack
Webelos Scouts
Your outdoor adventure awaits! Plan with your den a hike in the great outdoors, recite the outdoor code and leave no trace principles, learn how to tie a bowline, and be prepared for extreme weather. Backpack program includes instructions and lessons for all of option B.