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 at Gateway Arch National Park (Virtual and In-person)
Gateway Arch National Park offers a wide variety of FREE programs and workshops to help Scouts of all levels fulfill requirements for badges. All programs are facilitated by National Park Service rangers.
For reservations please call (877) 982-1410.
Tiger Cub and Cub Scout Programs are taken year-round and must be made 30 days in advance. Each program lasts approximately 30 minutes.
Tiger Cubs
Plains Indians
Explore the culture of the Plains Indians. Learn about their dependence on the buffalo, what they ate, what they wore and how they had fun.
Wolf Cubs
Council Fire (Wolf Core Adventure)
Explore the past and present St. Louis. Talk with a National Park Service ranger and learn about service to community and country. Fulfills requirements 3a, 3b and 5.
Bear Cubs
Beat of the Drum (Bear Elective Adventure)
Explore the history and culture of the Osage Indians of the woodland areas of the Mississippi Valley and learn about their lives today. Fulfills requirements 1, 2, and 4
Webelos
Build My Own Hero (Webelo and AOL Elective Adventure)
What does it take to be a hero? National Park Service rangers will introduce you to some famous and not so famous heroes that have made a difference in our community, country, and world.
Fulfills requirements 2, 3, and 4.
Girl Scout Programs at Gateway Arch National Park (Virtual and In-person)
Gateway Arch National Park offers a wide variety of FREE programs and workshops to help Scouts of all levels fulfill requirements for badges. All programs are facilitated by National Park Service rangers.
For reservations please call (877) 982-1410.
Virtual Daisy, Brownie and Junior Programs are taken year-round and must be made 30 days in advance. Each program lasts approximately 30 minutes.
Daisy Program
Plains Indians
Explore the culture of the Plains Indians. Learn about their dependence on the buffalo, what they ate, what they wore and how they had fun.
Brownie Badges
My Family Story
(Skill Builder Badge) Girls will discover how stories of long ago, gathered from oral histories, photographs, letters and diaries can help us learn about where we came from and who we are. This program takes place at the Museum of Westward Expansion at the Gateway Arch.
Celebrating Community
(Legacy Badge)
In this program, girls will explore the Old Courthouse to discover how communities, specifically St. Louis, celebrate and honor special people and events that were part of their past.
Junior Badges
Playing the Past
(Skill Builder Badge)
In the nineteenth century opportunities for women were often limited, but regardless of the challenges, women made significant contributions to our history as a people. This program takes place at the Museum of Westward Expansion at the Gateway Arch.
Inside Government
(Legacy Badge)
The Old Courthouse serves as the backdrop for this program where girls will learn about local government, past and present, and how they can be active citizens today.
Scout Merit badge workshops are scheduled at varying times throughout the year. These half-day workshops are designed to help scouts earn specific badges. Descriptions of our scout workshops are listed below.
ALL PARTICIPANTS WILL BE SUBJECT TO COVID PROTOCOL FOR FEDERAL BUILDINGS AND AMTRAK
Law Merit Badge
Does protecting the law involve bravery? Does telling the truth equal courage? Investigate the judicial system and its important role in our society. Scouts re-enact a historic trial and debate contemporary issues. An attorney and a National Park Service Law Enforcement Ranger will discuss their roles and responsibilities in society. Pre-visit requirements will be provided.
Location: Gateway Arch National Park, Visitor Center and Museum (the Old Courthouse is closed for renovation)
This workshop is FREE
June 2, 2022, 9:00 am-1:00 pm
August 3, 2022, 9:00 am-1:00 pm
Railroading Merit Badge
Join us aboard the rails for a new, day-long Railroading Merit Badge Workshop. While traveling on an Amtrak train between St. Louis and Springfield, Illinois, scout will learn the ins and outs of railroading from history to safety to economics, presented by National Park Service Staff. In Springfield, scouts will have the opportunity to explore the Lincoln sites with National Park Service staff. Pre-visit requirements will be provided. Reservations are required and space is limited.
Location: Aboard Amtrak Rail System and Lincoln National Historic Site
The workshop is free. Amtrak Group Tickets approximately $30.00/person
February 19, 2022, 6:00 am – 3:00 pm
June 1, 2022, 6:00 am – 3:00 pm
June 7, 2022, 6:00 am – 3:00 pm
August 1, 2022, 6:00 am – 3:00 pm
August 4, 2022, 6:00 am – 3:00 pm
American Heritage Merit Badge
Explore the history of St. Louis in the Museum at the Gateway Arch and learn about the important role this river city played in the development of our nation. Afterwards, take a cruise on the Mississippi River, aboard the Gateway Arch Riverboats, and experience the river first hand. Pre-visit requirements will be provided.
Location: Gateway Arch National Park, Visitor Center and Museum and the Gateway Arch Riverboats
The workshop is FREE. The cost for the Gateway Arch River Cruise is TBD
June 3, 2022, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
August 2, 2022, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Indian Lore
At the Museum at the Gateway Arch, scout will learn about the traditions, practices, and histories of American Indian tribes in a variety of regions, but specifically about the Osage Indians who played a major role in the history of St. Louis. Pre-visit requirements will be provided.
Location: Gateway Arch National Park, Visitor Center and Museum
The workshop is FREE
June 6, 2022, 9:00am – 1:00 pm
August 5, 2022, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Space is limited and workshops fill up quickly, make your reservations early.
Call-in reservations for the February Railroading Workshop begin December 15, 2021
Call-in reservations for the June and August workshops begin January 3, 2022
The reservation number is 877-982-1410 or 314-982 1410.
CADETTE AND SENIOR BADGE WORKSHOPS at Gateway Arch National Park
Scout Merit badge workshops are scheduled at varying times throughout the year. These half-day workshops are designed to help scouts earn specific badges. Descriptions of our scout workshops are listed below.
ALL PARTICIPANTS WILL BE SUBJECT TO COVID PROTOCOL FOR FEDERAL BUILDINGS AND AMTRAK
Finding Common Ground
Gather in the Gateway Arch Visitor Center to learn the art of debate and compromise as we strive to find a common ground. Then finish your day at the Thomas Eagleton Federal Court Building to develop your mediation skills with courthouse staff.
Pre-visit requirements will be provided.
This workshop is FREE
June 9, 2022, 9 am – 2:30 pm
August 8, 2022, 9 am – 2:30 pm
Public Speaker
Speaking in public is a powerful way to connect with people. Girl Scouts will learn the skills of public speaking and in the end “perform” for the group. This workshop takes place in the Gateway Arch Visitor Center.
Pre-visit requirements will be provided.
This workshop is FREE
June 8, 2022, 9 am – 1 pm
August 8, 2022, 9 am – 1 pm
Space is limited and workshops fill up quickly, make your reservations early.
Call-in reservations for the February Railroading Workshop begin December 15, 2021
Call-in reservations for the June and August workshops begin January 3, 2022
The reservation number is 877-982-1410 or 314-982 1410.
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.
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.
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.
You are invited to use the following educational resources to enrich your group’s learning experience.
Guidebooks for pre- and post-visit lessons and activities, trial guides, scripts, and more are available for download here.
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.
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.
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.
