Go wild with our encounters! Experience up close and personal time
with lemurs, sloths, kangaroos, and tamanduas in an exciting, fun, and
educational atmosphere.
Wide pathways throughout the park offer close-up views of more than
500 exotic animals including lions, tigers, bears, primates, leopards,
wolves, and more! Visit the reptile house, petting zoo, and aviary.
Shaded picnic area, gift shop, and seasonal concessions. Open
year-round with seasonal encounters, animal shows, and keeper talks.
Where: 20499 Oak Road East, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
Contact: Call 251-256-7008. Large groups (15+)
require 48-hour reservation to receive 15% discount.
Price: Adults 13 and up
$19.95, Children 3-12yrs $14.95
Girl Scout Level: All
Badges: Animal Habitat
Girl Scout Outcomes covered: Sense of Self – Girls have
the confidence in themselves and their abilities, and form positive identities.
Positive Values – Girls act ethically, honestly, and
responsibly, and show concern for others.
Challenge Seeking – Girls take appropriate risks, try things
even though they may fail, and learn from their mistakes.
Bellingrath Gardens and Home is 65 acres of year-round beauty.
Within this beautiful estate are gardens and landscapes that showcase
their own specific variety of wonder. Bellingrath Gardens and Home
offers educational, self-guided workshops that K-5 student groups can
use to lead themselves through the gardens in a self-guided tour. The
gardens facility has excellent resources for exploring plant sciences,
ecosystems, wetlands and conservation. We have designed our curriculum
to help meet state and local standards for teaching students as they
are actively engaged in learning experiences in the Gardens. While we
have designed the worksheets and field trip guidelines, we do not
offer guides or teachers to facilitate the workshops. Reservations
are required for the educational boxes.
Where: 12401 Bellingrath Road, Theodore, AL 36582
Contact: Email Shanna Bennett or call 251-459-8986
Price: $8.00 – Girl Scouts (ages 5 – 12) Price includes
workshop materials
$12.50 – Girl Scouts (ages 13 +) Price includes workshop materials
$11.50 - Adults
Girl Scout Level: All
Badges: Some of the educational boxes will help troops earn
some or all requirements for badge work.
Girl Scout Outcomes covered: Sense of Self – Girls have
the confidence in themselves and their abilities, and form positive identities.
Positive Values – Girls act ethically, honestly, and
responsibly, and show concern for others.
Challenge Seeking – Girls take appropriate risks, try things
even though they may fail, and learn from their mistakes.
Discovery Hall Programs promote conservation through education,
research, and outreach. By increasing public awareness and
understanding of the ocean, people will respect and protect marine
environments. Through hands-on activities in vibrant marine habitats,
people can see the impact of science on their daily lives.
Most popular trips listed below. Please see the website for many
more fun opportunities.
Research Vessel trip- (5th grade and up). Girl
Scouts will explore Mobile Bay and the Gulf of Mexico on the research
vessel, RV Alabama Discovery. Girls will learn about the biology,
ecology, and diversity of this ecosystem by trawling to collect and
identify animals that inhabit Alabama’s coastal waters.
Salt Marsh – (5th grade and up). Girl Scouts are
introduced to the estuaries and the important role they play. Students
will pull seine nets to collect samples to discuss and learn.
Beach Walk – (5th grade and up). After an
introduction to Dauphin Island’s beach, dune and maritime forest
landscape, Girl Scouts will explore the animals and plants that
inhabit this landscape and discuss how they have adapted to their
physical environment.
Where: 101 Bienville Blvd., Dauphin Island, AL 36528
Contact: 251-861-7500
Price: Adult (19+) $12, Child (5-18 yrs) $6
Girl Scout Level: Varies by program
Badges: Depends on the excursion. Refer to badge requirements.
What Girl Scout Outcomes are covered: Sense of Self –
Girls have confidence in themselves and their abilities and form
positive identities.
Positive Values – Girls act ethically, honestly, and
responsibly, and show concern for others.
Challenge Seeking – Girls take appropriate risks, try things
even though they may fail, and learn from their mistakes.
Community Problem Solving – Girls desire to contribute to the
world in purposeful and meaningful ways, learn how to identify
problems in the community, create “action plans” to solve
them.
The Estuarium is an exciting educational public aquarium
highlighting the four key habitats of coastal Alabama: the Mobile
Tensaw River Delta, Mobile Day, the Barrier Islands, and the Northern
Gulf of Mexico. It includes the 10,000-square-foot Exhibit Hall, a
7,000-gallon sting ray touch pool, and the Living Marsh Boardwalk.
This facility has 31 aquariums totaling over 30,000 gallons with more
than 100 species on display. The Estuarium showcases the plants,
animals, and other natural resources found in the Estuary and its
surrounding marine habitats.
Where: 101 Bienville Blvd. Dauphin Island, AL 36528
Contact: Call 251-861-7500 for more information.
Price: Price: Adult (19+) $12, Child (5-18 yrs) $6
Girl Scout Level: All
Girl Scout Outcomes covered:
Sense of Self – Girls have the confidence in themselves
and their abilities, and form positive identities.
Positive Values – Girls act ethically, honestly, and
responsibly, and show concern for others.
Challenge Seeking – Girls take appropriate risks, try things
even though they may fail, and learn from their mistakes.
Community Problem Solving – Girls desire to contribute to
the world in purposeful and meaningful ways, learn how to identify
problems in the community, create “action plans” to solve them.
Tours of the fort, scout camping areas, and service projects. As
well as, overnight Troop camping in the fort.
Where: 110 AL-180, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
Contact: Email Grace Gibson or call 251-540-5257
Price: Camping is $4 per night/Girl Scout, two leaders free,
additional adults are $15 per night. Girl Scouts are required to
provide 2 hours of service at the site.
Girl Scout Level: B J C S A
Girl Scout Outcomes covered:
Sense of Self – Girls have the confidence in themselves
and their abilities, and form positive identities.
Positive Values – Girls act ethically, honestly, and
responsibly, and show concern for others.
Challenge Seeking – Girls take appropriate risks, try things
even though they may fail, and learn from their mistakes.
Community Problem Solving – Girls desire to contribute to the
world in purposeful and meaningful ways, learn how to identify
problems in the community, create “action plans” to solve them.
Graham Creek Nature Preserve is home to hundreds of plant and
wildlife species, among almost 500 acres of natural habitats including
pine savannas, bottomland wetlands, mixed forests, and tidal marshes.
The preserve provides educational and recreational opportunities for
the community and is situated less than 2 miles from the Foley Beach Express.
Graham Creek Preserve offers 4 level field trips. These are only
offered Tuesday-Thursday so this would make a great Holiday, Spring
Break, or summer activity for your troop.
Daisies/Brownies – Weather and clouds, trees and
leaves, caterpillars and butterflies, birds, flowers and bog tour,
slugs, snails, worms and soil, special species, insects, and spiders,
watersheds and stewardship and Reptiles and mammals. (K-3rd).
Juniors/Cadettes – Aquatic invertebrate/creek bio-survey,
watershed and heritage (H₂0 experiment and local lore), habitat
assessment and land management (hike), carnivorous plants and food web
(wagon ride) (4th-6th)
Cadettes/Seniors – Earth (soils, terrestrial flora, and
fauna of upland and wetland habitats), Fire (prescribed burning,
forestry, mapping, turpentine history), Water (aquatic fauna, water
sampling, watersheds and cycle, stream assessment) (7th-9th)
Seniors/Ambassadors – Earth (soils, terrestrial
flora and fauna of upland and wetland habitats, Fire (prescribed
burning, forestry, mapping, turpentine history), Water (aquatic fauna,
water sampling, watersheds and cycle, stream assessment) (10th-12th)
Graham Creek is a city park and free to explore on your own.
However, they do rent out the Nature Center and picnic pavilion for
private groups. Please speak to Angie Southern for
rental information.
Also, Observe and Explore Day is usually scheduled on the
3rd Saturday of each month. Please see the website for details.
Contact: Email Krystal Bodiford or
call 251-923-4267 ext. 884
Where: 23460 Wolf Bay Drive, Foley, Alabama 36535
Price: Free
Girl Scout Level: D B J C S A
Girl Scout Outcomes covered:
Sense of Self – Girls have the confidence in themselves and
their abilities, and form positive identities.
Positive Values – Girls act ethically, honestly, and
responsibly, and show concern for others.
Challenge Seeking – Girls take appropriate risks, try things
even though they may fail, and learn from their mistakes.
Community Problem Solving – Girls desire to contribute to the
world in purposeful and meaningful ways, learn how to identify
problems in the community, create “action plans” to solve them.
A small alpaca farm that raises these beautiful animals for their
amazing fleece. The alpacas are sheared each spring and their fiber
is used in various fiber arts including clothing items.
Humming Star Alpacas can customize your field trip to best meet the
needs of Girl Scouts. However, their basic field trip includes
meeting the alpacas, learning about them and what is required to raise
them, watching a short video of their alpacas being sheared to better
understand the harvesting process, using the picker and the carder
(small hand machines used for processing the fleece), and creating a
take-home fiber art project.
Where: 19700 Blueberry Lane, Silverhill, Al 36576
Contact: Email Cheryl Bowen or call 251-214-8224
Price: $10.00 per person
Girl Scout
Level: D B J C S A
Girl Scout Outcomes covered: Sense of Self – Girls have
the confidence in themselves and their abilities, and form positive identities.
Positive Values – Girls act ethically, honestly, and
responsibly, and show concern for others.
Leon Brooks Hines State Fishing Lake is on the outskirts of Wing,
Alabama in the Conecuh National Forest. It is run by the state. Doug
and Allie Devine hold the contract to manage the lake and run the
fishing post.
Girl Scouts can tent camp on the grounds free of charge. Bathrooms
are at the shop on the property. The lake and grounds are an awesome
place to have a fishing or hiking day. Bring a picnic and enjoy the
lake. Because of the location, it is a great area for bird and
wildlife watching. The carnivorous plant bog is a draw for people from
all over. A local biologist from the forest service can be arranged to
provide a guided tour.
Where: 917 Barney Road, Wing, AL 36483
Contact: Email Doug
and Allie Devine or call 251-809-0068
Price: There is a small fishing fee for kids 12+
Girl Scout Level: D B J C S A
What Girl Scout Outcomes are covered:
Sense of Self – Girls have confidence in themselves and their
abilities, and form positive identities.
Positive Values – Girls act ethically, honestly, and
responsibly, and show concern for others.
Challenge Seeking – Girls take appropriate risks, try things
even though they may fail, and learn from their mistakes.
Community Problem Solving – Girls desire to contribute to the
world in purposeful and meaningful ways, learn how to identify
problems in the community, create “action plans” to solve them.
In North Baldwin County you can find a tranquil eco/adventure
destination that rests below the swaying Live Oaks and Spanish Moss,
on the Eastern banks of the Tensaw River. This park is 175 acres that
include hiking trails, fishing piers, catch and release fishing pond,
disc golf course, canoe and kayak launch (soon to be 8 miles of
mountain bike trails) and more to come, all brought together with an
RV park, primitive and backcountry campsites. There is even a group
camping area specifically built for scout and school groups.
Guided canoe/kayak tours, canoe and kayak training and instruction,
guided nature hikes, fishing training and instruction, overnight
campouts, disc golf, and themed birthday parties.
Where: 8700 Live Oak Road, Stockton, AL 36579
Contact: Email Michael Dorie or call 251-800-7464
Price: Weekend campouts starting at $0. Other prices vary based
on activities. Prices can always be lowered through community service
and charitable activities. Custom weekends full of organized
activities can be coordinated through our booking agents.
Girl Scout Level: D B J C S A
Badges: Some parts of the program could go towards badge work.
Girl Scout Outcomes covered: Sense of Self – Girls have
the confidence in themselves and their abilities, and form positive identities.
Positive Values – Girls act ethically, honestly, and
responsibly, and show concern for others.
Challenge Seeking – Girls take appropriate risks, try things
even though they may fail, and learn from their mistakes.
Community Problem Solving – Girls desire to contribute to the
world in purposeful and meaningful ways, learn how to identify
problems in the community, create “action plans” to solve them.
While Mobile Botanical Gardens are all taking measures to control
the spread of COVID-19, MBG continues to welcome visitors, limiting
group sizes, maintaining appropriate social distancing, and wearing
face coverings. Indoor activities, classes, workshops, etc. are not
available currently. All activities will be conducted out of doors on
our plazas, under pavilions, or in gardens, as appropriate. When
disease conditions improve, MBG will update the availability of other
activities. Troop leaders can contact Judy Stout at
jstout@mbgardens.org . Please provide a contact phone number to follow
up on needs and arrangements. Girls must be accompanied by the troop
leader or other designated responsible adult. Groups are limited to
Scout 10 participants at a single time. Charges are $3 for
children and $6 for adults.
THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES CAN BE ARRANGED TO MEET THE LISTED BADGE
STEPS. EACH WILL LAST ABOUT ONE HOUR. ONLY ONE ACTIVITY CAN BE OFFERED
ON A SINGLE DATE FOR A TROOP. IF A GROUP IS LARGER THAN TEN, TWO
BACK-TO-BACK SESSIONS OF THE SAME ACTIVITY CAN BE ARRANGED FOR TEN
SCOUTS EACH.
BUGS
- Try a bug craft – make a butterfly feeder
- See bugs in
action – visit the Pollinator Garden
- Take a bug field trip
– insect demonstration and woodland search
FLOWERS
- Uncover the science of one flower – carnivorous plants
(pitcher plants); the sunflower family
- Find out how flowers
help people – visit herb garden with guide from Gulf Coast Herb
Society; Grocery Store Botany activity
- Have fun with
flowers – press flowers for drying; make flower prints
TREES
- Dig into the amazing science of trees – explore the ecology of
the Long Leaf Pine forest
Where: 5151 Museum Drive, Mobile, Al 36608
Contact: Judy Stout at 251-342-0555 or jstout@mbgardens.org
Price: The Group reservation fee is $35 for up to 25 people,
$50 for 26-60 people. We cannot accommodate groups larger than 60. The
reservation fee will secure the date of your tour. An additional fee
of $3 per person is required upon arrival at MBG on the scheduled tour date.
What badges will be addressed in part or whole:
Brownie – part of Bugs
Juniors – part of Flowers
Cadettes – part of Trees
Girl Scout Level: D B J C S A
Girl Scout Outcomes covered: Sense of Self – Girls have
the confidence in themselves and their abilities, and form positive identities.
Positive Values – Girls act ethically, honestly, and
responsibly, and show concern for others.
Challenge Seeking – Girls take appropriate risks, try things
even though they may fail, and learn from their mistakes.
Community Problem Solving – Girls desire to contribute to the
world in purposeful and meaningful ways, learn how to identify
problems in the community, create “action plans” to solve them.
Riverside Ranch, located in Loxley, offers horseback riding lessons
and leasing. Small and large groups can be accommodated, as well as
the length of the program.
Where: 26061 Monsanto Road, Loxley, Al 36551
Contact: Email Heather
Martin or call (251) 236-3700.
Price: Please call for pricing, as this depends on group size
and length of the program.
Girl Scout Level: B J C S A (only Brownies and Juniors
earn a badge)
Badges: Brownies earn Bit and Bridle and Juniors earn
Horseback riding. Badges not included in cost.
Girl Scout Outcomes covered: Sense of Self – Girls have
the confidence in themselves and their abilities, and form positive identities.
Positive Values – Girls act ethically, honestly, and
responsibly, and show concern for others.
Challenge Seeking – Girls take appropriate risks, try things
even though they may fail, and learn from their mistakes.
Battleship Memorial Park is a war memorial and Museum offering
self-guided tours of the USS Alabama Battleship, USS Drum, and
Aircraft Pavilion. Also offered are memorials honoring men and women
who fought in all our modern wars – Korean Memorial, Vietnam Memorial,
Fallen Guardian Memorial honoring those whose lives were lost in
service to the U.S. Coast Guard. Don’t miss our poignant Service Dog
War Memorial that honors dogs who served our country. Explore our
Fallen Hero 9/11 Memorial that pays tribute to all the Alabamians who
have given their lives in service since 9/11.
Overnight Stays – Battleship Memorial Park offers your troop the
opportunity to step back in history during an overnight stay aboard
our WWII battleship USS ALABAMA. This unique experience includes
sleeping in the berthing areas of the ship where sailors slept during
WWII. A self-guided tour is included. For a complete overview of the
program, please visit www.ussalabama.com and click
through Plan your Visit- Programs- Overnight Stays. This will give
all the information you need including meals, what to bring, and
reservations forms. Note, reservations are based on female-only or
male-only overnight stays.
Where: 2703 Battleship Parkway, Mobile, Al 36602
Contact: Email Holly Whittington or call 251-433-2703.
Price: $20 per person with a $300 minimum for each
troop/service unit reservation. There is a $100 non-refundable deposit
required with each troop reservation.
Girl Scout Level: D B J C S A
Girl Scout Outcomes covered: Sense of Self –
Girls have the confidence in themselves and their abilities, and form
positive identities.
Challenge Seeking – Girls take appropriate risks, try things
even though they may fail, and learn from their mistakes.
Educational boat tours, guided kayak tours, canoe and kayak training
and instruction, canoe and kayak rentals, scavenger hunts and various
other nature-based activities.
All of the tours can be customized to focus on specific nature based
topics and activities. They pride themselves in their educational
components delivered in a fun and exciting environment.
Contact: Email Michael
Dorie or call 251-272-4088
Where: 30841 Five Rivers Blvd, Spanish Fort, Al 36527
Price: Varies depending on activity ($5 - $35 per
person)
Girl Scout Level: D B J C S A
Badges: Some parts of the program could go towards badge work.
Girl Scout Outcomes covered: Sense of Self – Girls have
the confidence in themselves and their abilities, and form positive identities.
Challenge Seeking – Girls take appropriate risks, try things
even though they may fail, and learn from their mistakes.
Positive Values – Girls act ethically, honestly, and
responsibly, and show concern for others.
Community Problem Solving – Girls desire to contribute to the
world in purposeful and meaningful ways, learn how to identify
problems in the community, create “action plans” to solve them.
Bon Secour National WIldlife Refuge Tour - Escape from the bustling
beach and enjoy 3 hours of peaceful and tranquil paddling in the
secluded inlets of the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge.
Dolphins at Sunset Kayak Tour - This is a dolphin encounter like
none other. Learn about these amazing animals in their natural
habitat from the intimate, unobtrusive and non-threatening vantage
point of a kayak.
Where: 4159 County Road 6, Gulf Shores, Al 36542
Contact: Email Michael Dorie or call 251-272-4088
Price: Standard pricing is $50 for a 3-hour tour; however,
group rates are available and shorter tours can be organized to meet
any budget constraints.
Girl Scout Level: J C S A
Badges: Some parts of the program could go towards badge work.
Girl Scout Outcomes covered: Sense of Self – Girls have the
confidence in themselves and their abilities, and form positive identities.
Challenge Seeking – Girls take appropriate risks, try things
even though they may fail, and learn from their mistakes.
Positive Values – Girls act ethically, honestly, and
responsibly, and show concern for others.
Community Problem Solving – Girls desire to contribute to the
world in purposeful and meaningful ways, learn how to identify
problems in the community, create “action plans” to solve them.