For Scouts

Options for Scouts:

Museum Visit

Schedule a museum visit to explore over 250 live animal and plant species, native to Virginia, in their natural settings. Your scouts can experience hands-on learning in our discovery centers and interactive galleries.

A minimum of 10 paid guests is required to receive the group rates that follow.

Pricing

Adult (13+ years): $19.00
Child (3-12 years): $14.00
Child (2 years & under): Free

Call 757-595-9135 for information or to register or complete our on-line request form.

Funded in part by Wason Realty

Girl Scouts Explorer Patch

STEP 1: Download in-museum and at home requirements now.

> Download Explorer Patch Requirements

STEP 2: Complete the requirements during your visit to earn the Explore the Virginia Living Museum patch.

STEP 3: Purchase your patch at the Wild Things Museum Store for only $3.99 ($4.23 with tax).

Scout Camp Ins

Bring your pack or troop for an unforgettable night at the Virginia Living Museum! Experience
what the museum has to offer after-hours and set up your sleeping bag next to your favorite
exhibits. In the morning, get free admission to the museum that day.

Fee: $40 per person
(1 troop/scout leader free per group)

Children must be at least 5 years old to participate. Registration is open until two weeks before camp-in date or until full.

To book, please call Reservations at 757-534-7410, or send an email to [email protected] or fill out the reservation form

Thanks to Sentara for supporting our K-12 educational programs!

Cub Scouts: Crazy Colors

2025 Dates: Jan 17-18, Feb 15-16, Feb 28-March 1

7pm-9am

It’s a crazy mix of colors in the animal world. Learn how animals explore their world in unique ways, and make colors come to life in this evening full of art and science. You will also get to explore the stars in our planetarium show and meet some of our animal ambassadors!

Camp-in activities can be counted towards some of the requirements of these Cub Scout Adventures: Sky is the Limit 3, Code of the Wolf 4, Forensics 5, Super Science 3, Art Explosion 3, Aware and Care 1

Girl Scouts/American Heritage Girls: Animal Party!

2025 Dates: Jan 10-11, Feb 1-2, Feb 21-22

7pm-9am

It’s a night of fun for everyone! Come spend the evening exploring how animals and people alike have fun, explore the stars in a planetarium show, and meet some of our animal ambassadors.

Camp-in activities can be counted towards some of the requirements of these badges –

Girl Scouts: Daisy Animal Observer 3, Space Science Explorer 2; Brownie Home Scientist 5, Pets 4, Space Science Adventurer 2+3; Junior Animal Habitats 2, Detective 2, Space Science Investigator 3

American Heritage Girls: Tenderheart Astronomy 3, Kitchen Scientist 4, Nature and Wildlife 3, Zoology 3+4; Explorer Astronomy 6+7, Freshwater and Marine Biology 8, Zoology 4

Safaris

Journey out into the field for an unforgettable hands-on learning experience.

Length of Session: 6 to 12+ hours (varies with topic)

Number of Students: Varies depending on program type

Fee: $35 per student ($700 minimum per program)

Fuel surcharge may apply. ALL safari bookings will be required to provide their own transportation to the site.

For more information or to make a reservation, call the Reservations office at 757-534-7410 Monday-Friday, 9am – 4:30pm or complete the online request form.

Funded in part by BayPort Credit Union.

Paleontology – Grades 6-12

Science SOLs: LS.1, LS.7, LS.8, LS.11, ES.1, ES.7, ES.9, ES.10, BIO.1, BIO.7, BIO.8, ENV.1, ENV.2, ENV.3, ENV.4, ENV.6, ESII.1, ESII.3, ESII.4, ESII.5, ESII.6, ESII.7, ESII.8, Ocean.1, Ocean.4

Venture into the field to uncover the fossils of aquatic organisms present in Virginia 3-5 million years ago. Learn how fossils are formed and compare these ancient creatures to their modern day relatives as we discuss why they are still significant today.

Freshwater Aquatics – Grades 7-12

Science SOLs: LS.1, LS.5, LS.6, LS.7, LS.8, LS.9, LS.11, ES.1, ES.6, ES.8, BIO.1, BIO.2, BIO.7, BIO.8, ENV.1, ENV.2, ENV.3, ENV.5, ENV.6, ENV.8, ENV.9, ENV.10, ESII.1, ESII.8, ECO.1, ECO.2, ECO.3, ECO.4, ECO.5, ECO.6, BIOII.1, BIOII.6, BIOII.7

Cruise through a beautiful swamp ecosystem in a canoe. Conduct experiments to understand how the physical and chemical aspects of water quality impact this freshwater environment. Learn about the specialized adaptations plants and animals use to survive in this unique habitat.

Estuarine Ecology, a “Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience” Program – Grades 7-12

Science SOLs: LS.1, LS.5, LS.6, LS.7, LS.8, LS.9, LS.11, ES.1, ES.10, ES.12, BIO.1, BIO.2, BIO.7, BIO.8, ENV.1, ENV.2, ENV.3, ENV.5, ENV.6, ENV.8, ENV.9, ENV.10, ENV.11, ESII.1, ESII.8, Ocean.1, Ocean.2, Ocean.9, Ocean.11, Ocean.12, Ocean.13, ECO.1, ECO.2, ECO.3, ECO.4, ECO.5, ECO.6, BIOII.1, BIOII.6, BIOII.7

Explore the shores and water of the Chesapeake Bay as you collect water quality data and learn about the role of different living and nonliving factors in the ecology of the Bay. Collect evidence of marine life and explore ways we can better protect these amazing creatures.

Cave Ecology – Grades 7-12

Science SOLs: LS.1, LS.5, LS.7, LS.8, LS.9, LS.11, ES.1, ES.4, ES.5, ES.7, ES.8, ES.9, BIO.1, BIO.8, ENV.1, ENV.2, ENV.3, ENV.4, ENV.5, ENV.6, ENV.9, ENV.10, ESII.1, ESII.3, ESII.4, ESII.8, ECO.1, ECO.3

Cave Ecology – Traverse the rocky trail through Fountain Cave in Grottoes, Virginia using only headlights to guide your way. On this adventure through a geologically old cave, you will learn about cave formations and cave ecology.

(Note: This is a strenuous trip. Participants must be able to walk easily without assistance on uneven ground including some steep slopes and be able to navigate in low light conditions.)

Outreach Programs

Have the Virginia Living Museum Visit You!

Outreach programs are fun and engaging presentations for classrooms, libraries, organizations, church groups, and retirement centers. A Virginia Living Museum educator will introduce your group to a variety of science topics through the use of live ambassador animals, museum artifacts, and active participation in an exciting ‘hands-on’ format. Programs are specifically designed to function as both an introduction to SOL topics and as reinforcement of previously taught science concepts.

For more information or to make a reservation, call the Reservations Coordinator at 757-534-7410 Monday-Friday, 9am – 4:30pm or complete the reservation request form.

Length of Program: PreK – 20 minutes; K – 30 minutes; Grade 1 and up – 45 minutes

Program Fee: $250 first program; $220 consecutive programs

Travel fee may apply.

Funded in part by TowneBank.

Curious Critters (PreK-5th; max 30 participants)

Building Blocks 1, 5; Science SOLs: K.1, K.6, K.7, 1.1, 1.5, 2.1, 2.4, 2.5, 3.1, 3.4, 4.1, 4.3, 5.1

Meet a variety of animal critters and discover their role in the ecosystem.

Food Chain Connections (K-5th; max 30 participants)

Science SOLs: K.1, K.6, K.7, 1.1, 1.4, 1.5, 2.1, 2.5, 3.1, 3.4, 4.1, 4.3, 5.1

Let’s start at the bottom of the food chain. Together we’ll work to make a food web and discuss why different animals eat different things.

Let’s Be A Scientist (K-5th; max 30 participants)

Science SOLs: K.1, K.5, K.7, 1.1, 1.5, 2.1, 2.5, 3.1, 3.5, 4.1, 4.3, 5.1

Develop science skills like observing, predicting, classifying, interpreting, and measuring to better understand the natural world.

Wild Adaptations (K-5th; max 30 participants)

Science SOLs: K.1, K.6, K.7, 1.1, 1.5, 1.7, 2.1, 2.4, 2.5, 3.1, 3.4, 3.5, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1

Uncover how wild animals survive through hands-on activities that demonstrate their physical and behavioral adaptations.

Protecting our Resources (5th; max 30 participants)

Science SOLs: 5.1, 5.9

Explore renewable and non-renewable energy sources and discover why conserving energy is important.

Amazing Animals (Grade 3-12; max 90 participants)

Science SOLs: 3.1, 3.4, 4.1, 4.3, 5.1, 6.1, LS.6, LS.7, LS.11, BIO.6

Meet a variety of live animals and explore biofacts to learn how animals locate food, escape predators, and survive in the wild.

Assembly Program Fee: $350 first program; $295 consecutive programs

Mini Museum for Events & Festivals

Now you can bring the Virginia Living Museum to your next event. Well, maybe not the whole Museum, but a VLM educator, a table full of engaging hands-on Museum specimens, and even a live ambassador animal is certainly the next best thing! Tell us about your event and we’ll be happy to design an amazing “mini museum” just for you and your group.

Fee: $250 first hour; $200 consecutive hour. Add on a 20-minute live ambassador animal encounter during the mini museum – up to three animals, $50 per animal.

Mother Nature’s Road Show

Enhance your activities for children, families, scouts, and senior citizens with a visit from the Virginia Living Museum. We will come to your library, day care facility, retirement community, church, or camp to add live animals and involve your clients in an educational and fun program.

Length of Program: 40 minutes; 20 minutes for PreK

Fee: $250 first program; $220 consecutive programs

Nature Detectives (For Toddlers and Preschoolers)

Little scientists will be introduced to nature through a hands-on sensory adventure. Participants will grow a love and appreciation for the outdoors as they explore the sounds, textures, and colors of nature and meet a live ambassador animal.

Caring for Critters (School-aged and up)

Discover the diverse needs of different animals and learn how humans impact animal habitats. Participants will learn how we care for our museum’s animals and how to be a better neighbor to our wild friends.

Telescope Rentals

Interested in renting a telescope for a camping trip, to test one out before you buy one, just for fun, or for a special celestial event/party? Reserve your scope today, call 595-1900 x256.

Your rental will include:

a 2-6 inch telescope (either reflecting or refracting)
at least one medium range eyepiece
an appropriate mount
a finder scope
a solar filter is available with some kits
set-up instruction sheet and parts list

Important Information:

The cost is $10 per night.
- No refund in case of inclement weather
Reservations are required and must be made at least 24 hours in advance. Telescopes are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis.
Payment is due in advance. If you wish to keep the telescope longer than planned, please contact the Museum to check for availability and to update payment.
A brief primer on the use of the telescope will be given/required at pick up.
All individuals renting a telescope must be over the age of 18 and sign a statement releasing the Virginia Living Museum from responsibility for damages to persons or property incurred through the use or misuse of the telescope and its accessories.
Renters must have a valid credit card on file.
- In the event that the telescope is not returned or returned with missing/ broken pieces, replacement items/parts will be charged to the renter’s credit card.