Get your Scouting On at Chattahoochee Nature Center

By Mark Gialanella, Education Programs Supervisor

The Chattahoochee Nature Center has a long history of being part of scouting activities in the Atlanta area.  From offering badge programs for Cub and Girl Scout programs to offering in-depth merit badge programs for Boy Scouts, CNC has unique resources for scouts to learn and earn badges. While earning badges may be the first opportunity that comes to mind within the long-standing relationship CNC has with scouting, many other opportunities exist to be involved with scouting at CNC.

Scouts can also consider CNC as a place to complete volunteer projects for a Girl Scout Gold Award or a Boy Scout Eagle Scout project.  Some examples of projects that have been completed at CNC include a firewood rack, a bee hotel for helping resident pollinators, new benches on the grounds, audio, and video projects, and informative tours and displays.  All projects are guided by CNC staff members collaborating directly with the scout to achieve their goals.

In addition, one of the hallmarks of scouting programming is CNC’s merit badge program and scout nights.  We offer Merit badge programs including Canoeing, Mammal Study, Nature, and Environmental Science.  Our certified merit badge counselors are comprised of some of our talented staff naturalists who look forward to working with your scouts on these in-depth programs.  Our scout nights are also great opportunities to experience CNC at night and participate in nighttime activities such as night hikes, nocturnal animal demos, and a campfire.  Our Will Alexander Memorial Scholarship program for Cub Scouts funds our annual Webelos Campout, which takes place every fall. Troops who qualify may also receive scholarships toward badge programs.

Atlanta area scouts have been very involved with CNC and the nature center is very grateful for scouts’ participation in the opportunities CNC offers.  There is always something happening at CNC for scouts to be a part of, from badge programs to volunteer projects, or achieving an Eagle or Gold award through a project on our grounds. CNC is proud to be part of developing youth through scouting. We look forward to continuing our relationship with scouting and being a resource for scouts to connect with nature. 

Please visit the CNC website for more information on scouting opportunities.