Gateway Arch National Park is proud to offer Scouts BSA and Girl Scouts of all levels a variety of free programs to help them earn their badges. All of our interesting and educational programs are led by National Park Service Rangers year-around and give scouts a chance to see the rich history of St. Louis differently.
Additional scouting information can be found at go.nps.gov/ArchScouts. All scout programs are offered free of charge.
Scouts BSA Programs
(Lion and Tiger Cubs, Cub Scouts, and Webelos)
Reservations for Lion and Tiger Cubs, Cub Scouts, and Webelos are taken year round. Approximately 50 minutes in length, each program highlights a different, age-appropriate theme. A one-month advance reservation is required. Minimum of six scouts required (max 30). Groups with less than the minimum may be placed with another group, if available. To make a reservation call 314-923-3048.
Lion and Tiger Cubs
Fun & Games
Learn about the lives and pastimes of nineteenth century boys and girls. Scouts will create and take home a pioneer toy.
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. Includes a create and take home activity.
Wolf Cubs
Council Fire (Wolf Core Adventure)
Explore the Museum at the Gateway Arch and learn about the history and future of your community. Talk with a National Park Service ranger and learn about service to community and country.
Fulfills requirements 3a, 3b, and 5.
Bear Cubs
Paws for Action (Bear Elective Adventure)
Scouts will explore the history of their country and community and learn how our national park rangers work to preserve and protect our
collective treasures.
Fulfills requirements: 1, 2a, 2b and 3.
Webelos
Building a Better World (Arrow of Light Required Adventure)
Join one of our national park rangers as they facilitate a discussion about the rights and responsibilities that come with being a scout and a citizen. Be ready to ask the ranger about their work in building a better world.
Fulfills requirements 1, 2, 3, and 4.
Scouts BSA Merit Badge Workshops
Scouts BSA Merit badge workshops are scheduled at varying times throughout the year. These workshops are designed to help scouts earn specific badges. Descriptions of our scout workshops are listed below.
Space is limited and workshops fill up quickly. Reservations open January 3, 2023, make your reservations early.
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.
Workshop Available
June 2, 2023
August 2, 2023
Railroading Merit Badge
Join us aboard the rails for a day-long Railroading Merit Badge Workshop. While traveling on an Amtrak train between St. Louis and Springfield, Illinois, scouts will learn the ins and outs of railroading from history to safety to economics, presented by National Park Service staff. A NPS staff member will contact registrants to make arrangements for Amtrak tickets. Fee is dependent on Amtrak ticket prices.
Workshop Available
March 18, 2023
June 3, 2023
August 1, 2023
August 4, 2023
American Heritage Merit Badge
Explore the history of St. Louis in the Museum at the Gateway Arch and learn about the important role this 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. Riverfront cruise tickets $24 adults and $14 children ages 3 – 14. A Gateway Arch staff member will contact registrants to purchase riverfront cruise tickets.
Workshop Available
June 7, 2023
August 3, 2023
Indian Lore
At the Museum at the Gateway Arch, scouts 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.
Workshop Available
June 1, 2023
August 7, 2023
Girl Scout Programs
(Daisy Scouts, Brownies, and Juniors)
Reservations for Daisy Scouts, Brownies and Juniors are taken year round. Approximately 50 minutes in length, each program highlights a different, age-appropriate theme. A one-month advance reservation is required. Minimum of six scouts required (max 30). Groups with less than the minimum may be placed with another group, if available. To make a reservation call 314-923-3048.
Daisy Scouts
Fun & Games
Learn about the lives and pastimes of nineteenth century boys and girls. Scouts will create and take home a pioneer toy.
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. Includes a create and take home activity.
Brownies
My Family Story
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 while exploring the Museum at the Gateway Arch.
Celebrating Community
In this program, girls will explore the Museum at the Gateway Arch and its history galleries to discover how communities celebrate and honor special people and events in the past and today.
Juniors
Playing the Past
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. Scouts will explore the topic at the Museum at the Gateway Arch.
Inside Government
Scouts will gather in the Gateway Arch Visitor Center to learn about local government, past and present, and discuss how they can be active citizens today.
Girl Scout Merit Badge Workshops
Girl Scout Merit badge workshops are scheduled at varying times throughout the year. These workshops are designed to help scouts earn specific badges. Descriptions of our scout workshops are listed below.
Space is limited and workshops fill up quickly. Reservations open January 3, 2023, make your reservations early.
Finding Common Ground
Gather in the Gateway Arch Visitor Center to learn and practice the art of debate, compromise and mediation as we strive to find a common ground.
Pre-visit requirements will be provided.
Workshop Available
May 31, 2023
August 8, 2023
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.
Workshop Available
June 5, 2023
July 28, 2023
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.
Scout Workshop Reservation Form
Scout Leaders and/or parents please complete this form to register your scout(s) for the merit badge workshops provided by the National Park Service. A member of our team will contact you once the registration has been completed.
Curriculum Materials and 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.
Professional Development
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.