• Scouts at the museum
Working on a merit badge? We can help. The Geology Museum offers program for scouting groups to help them complete the requirements for several different badges and electives. While aimed at girl scout, cub scout, and boy scout groups, these programs are also great for school groups! 

 

 

Patch Tours


The Geology Museum offers two STEM-themed patch programs!  These tours are aimed toward Scout groups, but can be booked by any group of 10 or more.  Each 1 hour program tour will guide the group through a different geology-related topic and each participant will get their own lesson kit!

Tours are appropriate for all K-6 age groups; activities will be tailored to the age of each group.
Patch tours require a minimum of 10 participants. If you have less than 10 participants, we may be able to combine your group with another already-scheduled group, pending availability. Please inquire if interested.


Amazing Minerals Program

Photo of Amazing Minerals Tour Patch

 **Now offered both virtually & in-person!**

During the Amazing Minerals Program, participants will learn about the three rock types, how they are formed, and how geologists define minerals and their properties. Each participant will receive their own mineral identification kit. This 1 hour program fulfills many requirements for the Cub Scouts' Earth Rocks! Elective Adventure

Cost: $10 per participant
Patches (optional): $2 per participant 

 This program is perfect for Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, and K-5 Groups!

Virtual Mineral Programs

The minimum group size for a Virtual Mineral Program is 10 participants.

Virtual Mineral Programs can be requested on weekdays, Saturdays, and weekday evenings, pending staff availability.

***Please note that we cannot guarantee private weekend programs for your group. Groups may be combined.***

Mineral ID kits are included in this program and can be mailed to you for the prices listed below. If you would like more than one kit shipped to a non-New Jersey address, or you would like more than 20 mailed kits to any address, please inquire about costs.

 1 Kit: $5 Shipping (Continental US address)
 2-20 Mineral ID Kits: $10 Shipping (NJ address)

 Click here to schedule your Virtual Mineral Program!


In-Person Mineral Programs

The minimum group size for an In-Person Mineral Program is 10 participants.

In-Person Mineral Programs can be requested on weekdays and certain Saturdays when the Museum is open to the public.

Click here to schedule your In-Person Mineral Program!


 Fossil Fun! Program

Fossil Fun Tour Patch

 **Now offered both virtually and in-person!**

During the Fossil Fun! Program, participants will learn about the different types of fossils and how they are formed. Each participant will also receive a fossil-themed activity kit! This 1 hour program fulfills the requirements of the Cub Scouts Wolf Elective Adventure, Digging into the Past. 

Cost: $10 per participant
Patches (optional): $2 per participant 
 

 This program is perfect for Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, and K-5 Groups!


Virtual Fossil Programs

The minimum group size for a Virtual Fossil Program is 10 participants.

Virtual Fossil Programs can be requested on weekdays, Saturdays, and weekday evenings, pending staff availability.

***Please note that we cannot guarantee private weekend programs for your group. Groups may be combined.***

Fossil-themed activity kits are included in this program and can be mailed to your home for the prices listed below. If you would like more than 20 fossil sets, would like to add on multiple gift bags, or would like your program materials mailed to an address outside of the continental US, please inquire about costs.

  1-20 Fossil Kits: $5 Shipping (Continental US address)

Click here to schedule your Virtual Fossil Program!



In-Person Fossil Programs

The minimum group size for an In-Person Fossil Program is 10 participants.

In-Person Fossil Programs can be requested on weekdays and certain Saturdays when the Museum is open to the public.

Click here to schedule your In-Person Fossil Program!

 

Merit Badge Programs

 

Geology Merit Badge Program

Geology Merit Badge

Interested in earning the Geology Merit Badge? Check out our Geology Merit Badge Program, now offered both in-person and virtually! 

During this program, scouts will learn about Earth's natural resources, talk to real geoscientists, and create a subsurface structure map that will be used in an interactive oil drilling activity. This program will allow scouts to fulfill all the requirements of the Geology Merit Badge. Museum staff members are registered as Geology Merit Badge Counsellors and will sign off on Scouts' Blue Cards upon completion of the requirements

Register here for your Virtual or In-Person Geology Merit Badge Program.

 

**Please note that a scout attending these events is not guaranteed to complete the Merit Badge unless all requirements are completed. Scouts must be prepared to participate in the discussions and activities.**


Two-Part Geology Merit Badge Program

Coming Soon Sign

In-Person Programs:
Minimum Group Size: 10 Scouts for a private event, or any number for selected program dates (below).
Cost: $20 per Scout
Dates: Saturday, November 11, 2023: 11:30AM to 1:30PM: Registration Closed

Virtual Programs:
Minimum Group Size: 10 Scouts required to request an event.
Cost: $20 per Scout

 

In-Person Events
In-person events will be available during the Museum's open hours (which includes certain Saturdays), pending staff availability. This event will take approximately 1.5 to 2 hours and some activities will need to be completed before arriving at the Museum. Activity packets will be emailed upon program payment.
Register Here for an In-Person Merit Badge Program!


Virtual Events
The virtual program is a two part program that can be booked with both parts on the same day, or on separate days. Virtual events are available on weekends when the Museum is closed as well as during weekdays and weekday evenings. During the first part of this event (Geology 101 Program), participants will learn how to read a geologic map, discuss Earth's natural resources, and speak to a real geologist about their research. Part 1 can fulfill Geology Merit Badge requirements 1, 2, 3, and 4a. 

During the second part of this event (Energy Resources Program), participants will create a subsurface structure map, do an interactive oil drilling activity, and learn what it is like to work on a drilling rig. Part 2 can fulfill the Energy Resources Option of the Geology Merit Badge, requirements 5b1 through 5b5.

Scouts must participate in both parts to fulfill all the requirements of the Geology Merit Badge.

*Some activities must be completed by each Scout prior to the event.*
Register Here for a Virtual Merit Badge Program!

 

**A scout attending this program is not guaranteed to complete the Merit Badge unless all requirements are completed. Every scout must participate in the discussions and activities. Once all requirements are met, Geology Museum staff will sign off on the scout's Blue Card.**

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