Cub Scouts
Frederick County Parks and Recreation offers hands-on, educational programs for Cub Scouts that support rank achievements and skill development. Activities are instructor-led and may include outdoor skills, nature exploration, historical games, arts and crafts, and hands-on science depending on the site. Scouts may also need to follow up with their scout leader or merit badge counselor to complete certain requirements.
Important Information:
- All merit badge classes are 4 hours. Some may require weekly observations or follow-up with a merit badge counselor.
- Come dressed for the weather. Class B or Troop Shirt is acceptable. Bring a water bottle and a snack.
- Merit Badge Counselor will contact the scout about any prerequisites.
- Scouts must arrive with a Blue Card (Official BSA Merit Badge Record) filled out with leader’s signature, address, name, troop, district, council, date, and merit badge name.
Programs take place at the following locations:
- Fountain Rock Park & Nature Center
- Catoctin Creek Park & Nature Center
- Rose Hill Manor Park & Museums
- Ballenger Creek Community Building – Teaching Kitchen
These locations provide a variety of indoor and outdoor experiences to help Cub Scouts build confidence, learn new skills, and have fun while earning badges.
Fountain Rock Park & Nature Center / Catoctin Creek Park & Nature Center
- Mountain Lion: Lions live in the outdoors. It is important for the Lion Scout to understand how to take care of themselves when in the outdoors and how to be respectful of animals and nature. They should learn the idea that they should take only pictures and leave only footprints. (ALL requirements will be completed, 1-3)
Fountain Rock Park & Nature Center / Catoctin Creek Park & Nature Center
- Backyard Jungle: Learn that all living things share our environment and have a purpose. Tigers can make a difference in protecting habitats (ALL requirements 1, 2, 4, and 5)
- Tigers in the Wild: Develop understanding of the Outdoor Ethics program and essential outdoor skills (ALL requirements 1-3 and 5)
- Sky is the Limit: Learn about constellations and the folklore behind their names (ALL requirements 1-4 and 6, 7)
Note: Fountain Rock Park also offers a fire ring, trout pond, and pavilion for troop programs. Several small nature trails are open 8am–dusk daily.
Rose Hill Manor Park & Museums
- Make My Family Special: Learn about life at Rose Hill. Discuss chores in the past and discover how family life was the same and different many years ago
- The Show Must Go On: Discover the history of puppetry and create your own puppets. Conclude with a puppet show using Rose Hill's puppet stage
Fountain Rock Park & Nature Center / Catoctin Creek Park & Nature Center
- Paws on the Path: Develop hiking skills, review the buddy system, The Outdoor Code, and Leave No Trace Principles (ALL requirements 1-8)
- Digging in the Past: Learn about dinosaurs and fossils; create a dinosaur and plaster cast of a fossil to take home (ALL requirements 1-4)
- Finding Your Way: Learn to read maps and use a compass on a hike (ALL requirements 1-4)
Rose Hill Manor Park & Museums
- Know Your Home & Community: Visit Rose Hill Manor and discover the importance of historic locations in communities
- Play a Game: Learn and play historic games such as ring toss and marbles; make your own ring toss set to take home
Fountain Rock Park & Nature Center / Catoctin Creek Park & Nature Center
- Fur, Feathers, and Ferns: Explore mammals, birds, and plants while practicing the Outdoor Code (ALL requirements 1-5)
- A Bear Goes Fishing: Learn fishing skills; can be done alone or with family/friends (SPRING ONLY, ALL requirements 1-3, optional 4)
- Beat of the Drum: Learn about American Indian customs, crafts, ceremonies, music, and dance (Requirements 1-3, 4 completed elsewhere)
Rose Hill Manor Park & Museums
- The Past is Exciting & Important: Investigate history with newspapers and almanacs, explore Frederick’s past, and start a family tree
- Games, Games, Games: Learn and play croquet and other games that promote teamwork
Fountain Rock Park & Nature Center / Catoctin Creek Park & Nature Center
- Earth Rocks: Learn about minerals and rocks and their uses in daily life; explore geology (ALL requirements 1-6)
- Into the Wild: Understand mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and insects in your environment (ALL requirements 4-9)
- Into the Woods: Explore trees and plants in your community and local nature center (ALL requirements 1-7)