Norman Bird Sanctuary > a 300+ acre wildlife refuge near Newport RI, offering over 7 miles of hiking trails.

Choose Your Adventure with Scouting Programs at NBS!

From wildlife conservation to geology and astronomy, the Norman Bird Sanctuary offers more than 35 exciting programs designed to help girl and boy scouts complete badges and other goals. Our 300+ acre classroom provides the perfect venue for your troop’s investigation of the natural world. With birds of prey, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates, our live animal collection is also a strong complement to any scouting program. We also exciting new overnight adventure programs for scout groups!

The Sanctuary’s professional teaching staff is dedicated to sharing the world of nature with learners of all ages. Our age-appropriate programs are designed to be hands-on, engaging, and are tailored to meet each badge’s specific requirements.

Scout Program Options

Choose from the following programs, or suggest your own!

Brownies Try Its - Animals, Colors and Shapes, Earth and Sky, Earth is our Home, Outdoor Adventure, Plants, Ready, Set, Go Camping, Science in Action, Science Wonders, Senses, Space Explorer, Watching Wildlife, Water Everywhere

Junior Badges – Aerospace, Camp Together, Earth Connections, Eco-Actions, Environmental Health, Finding Your Way, Frosty Fun, Hiker, Pet Care, Plants and Animals, Rocks Rock, Science Discovery, Science in Action, Science Sleuth, Sky Search, Water Wonders, Wildlife

Girl Scouts - All About Birds, EcoAction, Digging through the Past, From Shore to Sea, Orienteering, Outdoor Survival, Plant Life, Wildlife

Cub Scout Programs (Tiger) - Feed the Birds, Learn About Animals, and Plant a Seed

Bear - Native American Life, Nature Crafts, Space

Webelos - Foresters, Geologist, Naturalist

Boy Scouts Merit Badges - Bird Study, Oceanography, Plant Science, Forestry, Astronomy, Orienteering, Nature, Reptile and Amphibian Study

Night Hike - Available for all groups, this special program is an educational adventure for scouts and adults alike. Join us as we explore the forest after dark, learn about the senses that animals (including us humans!) use to survive at night, and meet nocturnal animals. No flashlights are needed - we'll use our own night vision to find our way!

Service Projects - We can use your help! From maintaining trails to helping build educational exhibits, we have a variety of service opportunities available for your scout troop.

Pricing and Registration Details - Daytime Scout Programs

All scout programs and night hikes (except for Girl and Boy Scout Merit Badges) are 1.5 hour in length. Merit badge workshops are 2 hours. There is a minimum of 12 scouts required for each class. Programs can be booked on select weekdays or Saturdays; night hikes are scheduled for Friday and Saturday nights as available. Please call early, as space is limited and programs are scheduled on a first come / first serve basis.

Program Cost: $8 per scout for 1.5 hour programs; $10 per scout for 2 hour merit programs. The first 3 chaperones are free; additional parents may attend for $3 each.

NEW! Overnight Adventures at NBS!

Bring your scout group to the Norman Bird Sanctuary for an experience they will never forget! Choose two 1.5 hour badge workshop programs; one will be held in the evening and the other the following morning. A one hour night hike will also complete the fun and outdoor learning.

Your group will camp out in an NBS building overnight (more adventurous troops can choose to sleep under the stars in tents), with an NBS educator also staying on the property.

We provide: indoor or outdoor sleeping areas, evening DVD rental of the troop’s choice, NBS educators, full hot breakfast.

You provide: badges, dinner (can be eaten at NBS), evening snack, sleeping bags, chaperones, and after-hours supervision.

Program Dates and Times: Overnights are available throughout the year on select Friday and Saturday nights. Program times are flexible, but hours generally run from 6:30 P.M. until 10:30 A.M. the next morning.

Program Cost: $40 per scout, with a minimum of 8 scouts required, and a maximum of 20 scouts possible. The first 3 chaperones are free ($15 for each additional chaperone). At least two chaperones are required to attend and spend the night with the scouts.

For more information or to book any of our scout programs, please call
(401) 846-2577 or e-mail education@normanbirdsanctuary.org