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The National Park Service (NPS) has announced the temporary closure of Gateway Arch National Park, which includes the Gateway Arch and Old Courthouse, beginning Wednesday, March 18 until further notice due to the evolving COVID-19 health situation. The health and safety of visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners is the park’s number one priority. NPS is working with federal, state, and local authorities to closely monitor this rapidly changing situation. When appropriate, Gateway Arch National Park will notify the public when it resumes full operations via traditional media, as well as online at nps.gov/jeff and gatewayarch.com and on social media (@GatewayArchNPS). Those who have pre-purchased Tram Ride to the Top tickets will receive full refunds. For questions regarding ticketing, please email info@gatewayarch.com.

Riverboats at the Gateway Arch Operations Temporarily Suspended — Effective immediately and until further notice, per the recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to limit social gatherings and events to 50 people or less, the Riverboats at the Gateway Arch are temporarily suspending operations due to the evolving COVID-19 health situation. Those who have pre-purchased Riverboat tickets will receive full refunds. For questions regarding ticketing, please email info@gatewayarch.com.

Gateway Arch visitors must enter the monument through the new west entrance, which faces Fourth Street and the Old Courthouse. The Gateway Arch legs have become exits only. Tram tickets will sell out early and often - advance tickets are strongly recommended. Please allow at least 30 minutes to go through security.

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Scouts

Scout Leaders

As part of the national park system, Gateway Arch National Park and scouting naturally go together. Here, your troop can earn badges as they learn about St. Louis’ role in westward expansion, the abolition of slavery, and more.

Register your troop for a variety of free programs and workshops offered by Gateway Arch National Park and led by National Park Service rangers. For reservations, call (877) 982-1410.

Troop leaders can make reservations for the programs below year-round with at least 30 days’ notice. Approximately 50 minutes in length, each program highlights a different, age-appropriate theme. A minimum of six scouts is required, with a maximum of 30 scouts. If possible, we will place groups with less than six scouts with another group.

Boy Scout Programs
(Tiger Cubs, Wolf Cubs, and Bear Cubs)

At the Gateway Arch and Old Courthouse, Boy Scouts can learn about history through a variety of age-appropriate topics, such as:

  • The roles of 19th century girls and boys
  • The challenges faced by early settlers moving west
  • The culture of the Plains Indians
  • The cultural differences among the Plains, Illini, and Osage Indians

These Boy Scout programs include activity guides for leaders and will help Boy Scouts fulfill requirements for arrow points, achievements and badges.

Download the 2020 Boy Scout Brochure.

 

Girl Scout Programs
(Daisy Scout, Brownies, and Juniors)

Girl Scouts can learn about history through a variety of age-appropriate topics, including:

  • The roles of 19th century girls and boys
  • How stories of long ago can help us learn about ourselves
  • The contributions women have made to our history
  • The structure of local government and how to become an active citizen today

These Girl Scout programs include activity guides for leaders and can help Girl Scouts fulfill requirements for earning badges.

Download the 2020 Girl Scout Brochure.

Boy Scout Merit Badge Workshops

Law Merit Badge

Scouts investigate the judicial system and reenact trials in historic courtrooms at the Old Courthouse. Maximum capacity is 60 scouts.

2020 workshops: 9:00am–1:00pm
Wednesday, June 10, 2020 | Thursday, August 6, 2020

Railroading Merit Badge 

Scouts travel from St. Louis, Missouri to Springfield, Illinois via Amtrak. Staff members from Gateway Arch National Park will accompany your group. Please note this workshop requires a fee. Maximum capacity is 25 scouts.

2020 workshops: 6:00am–3:00pm
Saturday, March 7, 2020 | Thursday, June 4, 2020 | Tuesday, June 9, 2020 | Thursday, July 30, 2020 | Wednesday, August 5, 2020

American Heritage 

Explore the history of St. Louis and learn about the important role this river city played in the development of our nation. Afterward, take a cruise on the Mississippi River aboard the Riverboats at the Gateway Arch and experience the river firsthand. Please note that this workshop requires a fee. Maximum capacity is 25 scouts.

2020 workshops: 9:00am–1:00pm
Thursday, June 11, 2020 | Friday, August 7, 2020

Girl Scout Workshops
(Cadettes and Seniors)

Finding Common Ground

Scouts learn the arts of debating and compromising during this workshop held at the Old Courthouse. Maximum capacity is 25 scouts.

2020 workshops:
Monday, June 15, 2020 | 9am-2:30pm

Tuesday, August 11, 2020 | 9am-1:00pm

Public Speaking

Scouts can improve their abilities to connect with people by learning the skills of public speaking. They’ll even get the opportunity to “perform” at the Old Courthouse. Maximum capacity is 25 scouts.

2020 workshops: (9am-1pm)
Tuesday, June 11, 2019 | Tuesday, August 6, 2019

Commemorative Patches

A special scout patch may be purchased upon completion of a park scout program. Please find more details about scouting activities, including admission to other attractions on the Gateway Arch grounds, at the resources below. For additional group activities, visit our Educators section.

The Resource Stewardship
Scout Ranger Program

Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of all ages can participate in educational and/or volunteer service projects at national park sites. Scouts can explore the national parks and learn more about protecting our natural and cultural resources. Through this program, scouts can earn participation certificates and/or patches. For more information, call Gateway Arch National Park at (314) 655-1635 or visit the National Park Service website.

Planning Your Group Visit

Unless otherwise noted, scout programs and workshops are free. The Gateway Arch will waive the $3 national park entrance fee for bona fide educational groups. Contact the Call Center at (877) 982-1410 to make your group reservations for educational programs and activities at the Arch grounds. Please Note: Due to space availability, we cannot accept email or voicemail reservations for scout programs or workshops.

Find more group information here or fill out the Group Inquiry Form below, and a sales agent will contact you. 

Group Inquiry Form

Educational Resources

You are invited to use the following educational resources to enrich your group’s learning experience.

Curriculum Materials

Guidebooks for pre- and post-visit lessons and activities, trial guides, scripts, and more are available for download here.

Traveling Trunks

If you cannot travel to the Gateway Arch for a visit, bring “hands-on” history to your troop meeting. Find a list of trunk topics and information on reserving a trunk here. Trunks are available for a period of two weeks. Call (314) 655-1635 to inquire about pricing or to reserve.

Teacher Workshops and In-Services

Each year the education department hosts educator workshops. The education department can also help schools develop and facilitate workshops for their teachers. View a list of topics or to learn more, please call (314) 655-1635.

Video Loan Program

Troop leaders may borrow DVDs related to westward expansion and the Gateway Arch for off-site use. Find a list of available titles here. Call (314) 655-1635 to reserve.

Group Inquiry Form

How can we be of service? Use the form below to let us know more about your group. Together, we’ll develop a plan to ensure that your group has an unforgettable experience at the Gateway Arch.

 

  • Is your event being planned by a third party?
  • Date Format: MM slash DD slash YYYY
  • What activities is your group interested in?

ALERT

The National Park Service (NPS) has announced the temporary closure of Gateway Arch National Park, which includes the Gateway Arch and Old Courthouse, beginning Wednesday, March 18 until further notice due to the evolving COVID-19 health situation. The health and safety of visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners is the park’s number one priority. NPS is working with federal, state, and local authorities to closely monitor this rapidly changing situation. When appropriate, Gateway Arch National Park will notify the public when it resumes full operations via traditional media, as well as online at nps.gov/jeff and gatewayarch.com and on social media (@GatewayArchNPS).

Riverboats at the Gateway Arch Operations Temporarily Suspended — Effective immediately and until further notice, per the recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to limit social gatherings and events to 50 people or less, the Riverboats at the Gateway Arch are temporarily suspending operations due to the evolving COVID-19 health situation.

Those who have pre-purchased Tram Ride to the Top or Riverboat tickets will receive full refunds. For questions regarding ticketing, please email info@gatewayarch.com.