Why reinvent the wheel year after year? Here are some outings recommend by other Scouters. If you have visited a place listed below please leave a comment (lets improve the wheel).
Each unit leader is responsible for contacting the site prior to visiting and adhering to all BSA guidelines for that type of visit. In short here are some idea's. The rest is up to your leaders to coordinate.
Sunday, January 31, 2010 at 11:56PM What: Who doesn't love a parade? And the boys will love it.
Where: Charlottesville
Ranks: All
When: April
POC: http://www.charlottesvilledogwoodfestival.org/
Cost: Free
Sunday, January 31, 2010 at 11:50PM What: Many Wolf, Bear and Webelos requirements can be completed on Maymont's grounds, and a trip to Maymont is a perfect opportunity to work on the Outdoor Activity Award, Leave No Trace Awareness Award and parts of the Cub Scout World Conservation Award. Ask your Scout Leader for details. Maymont is also a great place for Eagle Scout service projects. For details, call Maymont at 804-358-7166.
Where: Richmond
Ranks: All
When: Year-round
POC: http://www.maymont.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=278
Cost: Maymont's grounds are admission-free, but donations are requested in many of our indoor exhibits. (Example: Self-guided Nature Center Tours: $3 youth & adults ages 13-59, $2 children ages 4-12 and seniors ages 60+)
Sunday, January 31, 2010 at 11:44PM What: This hands-on facility commemorates the hometown origins of Lewis and Clark's westward journey. While the museum buildings have yet to go up, there's still a lot of activity going on giving kids young and old the chance to experience the excitement of the expedition. On display are full-size replicas of a keelboat, pirogues, and dugout canoes-- water craft used on the first leg of the expedition-- all constructed at the site by young volunteers using hand tools and historic techniques.
Where: Darden Towe Park, Rt. 20 north
Ranks: All
When: Saturdays May through October 10am-1pm.
POC: http://www.lewisandclarkeast.org/ - 979-2425.
Cost: Free
Monday, December 21, 2009 at 8:06AM What: Crabtree Falls features a series of five major cascades and a number of smaller ones that fall a total distance of 1,200 feet.
Where: Take the 3-mile trail offering spectacular views of Crabtree Creek Falls and lovely vistas of the Tye River Valley. From the upper falls, the trail follows the creek another 1.2 miles to the Crabtree Meadows.
Ranks: Webelos, Boy Scouts
When: Spring or fall Nelson County about an hours drive from Charlottesville
POC: http://www.virginia.org/site/description.asp?AttrID=25179
Cost: Free
Monday, December 21, 2009 at 8:03AM What: Teach bicycle safety through a Bicycle Rodeo. Typical events include a safety check for bicycles, testing of rider skills, and contests such as a bicycle obstacle course. Fun Pack event-invite siblings!
Where: They will have it at your site or the Fifth Street County Building parking lot.
Ranks: Tigers, Wovles, Bears, Webelos
When: Summer, fall or spring
POC: Albemarle County Police Department Business Line (434)296-5807 http://albemarle.org/department.asp?department=police&relpage=3287
Cost: Free!
Monday, December 21, 2009 at 7:59AM What: Go ice skating! With advance registration at least one week ahead of your visit, groups of 10 or more skate for only $7.50 per person, including rental skates.
Ranks: Tigers, Wovles, Bears, Webelos
When: Anytime
Where: Charlottesville Downtown Mall
POC: Group Coordinator at (434)817-2400
partiesandgroups@icepark.com
http://www.icepark.com/Default.htm
Cost: $7.50 each General
Monday, December 21, 2009 at 7:52AM What: The Virginia Air & Space Center hosts overnight Camp-ins for Scout groups. Explore the museum, see an IMAX movie and build a rocket! Scouts may earn:
Ranks: Tigers, Wovles, Bears, Webelos, Boy Scouts
When: Winter or anytime
Where: Hampton, VA-about 150 miles (2.5 hours)
POC: Louise Schaeffler
scouting@vasc.org
757-727-0900, ext. 709
or Swee Hart
shart@vasc.org
757-727-0900, ext. 759
http://www.vasc.org/camps/overnightcamp.html
Cost: $30 per scout ($38 if rocket camp-in)
Monday, December 21, 2009 at 7:28AM What: Spend a weekend exploring Green Bank, WV! This site has it all with beautiful scenery, hikes, bicycling and the world's largest fully steerable radio telescope. Nestled in the West Virginia mountains, this technological marvel is taller than the Statue of Liberty and rises from the valley floor to a height of 485 feet, weighs 17 million pounds and sports a reflector 2.3 acres in area. The Science Center and bus tour are free. The staff will plan an educational program for your group and you can stay in a dormitory style bunk house for the unbeatable price of $5 per scout and $10 per adult. Bring your bikes to explore the Observatory and the Green Brier River Trail. The Cass Scenic Railroad is close by.
When: Spring, Summer, Fall
Where: Green Bank, WV is 120 miles from Charlottesville.
Ranks: Tigers, Wovles, Bears, Webelos, Boy Scouts, Crews & Posts When: Summer, Fall, Spring.
POC: NRAO Green Bank Observatory
Sue Ann Heatherly
West Virginia 92 Green Bank, WV 24944
(304) 456-2209
http://www.gb.nrao.edu/epo/gp/tours/toursindex.shtml
Cost: Observatory tour is free. Bunk house $5 per night ($10 for adults).
Monday, December 21, 2009 at 7:20AM What: The easy Mountain Farm Self-Guiding Trail takes you through a collection of 19th century farm buildings, and in the summer months there are often living history demonstrations.
When: Fall or Spring
Where: Located at Milepost 5.8 is the Humpback Rocks Visitor Center and Mountain Farm exhibit.
Ranks: Tigers, Wolves, Bears
Sunday, December 6, 2009 at 1:55PM What: Observing with all of the telescopes (weather permitting), audio-visual presentations, museum exhibits, and tours of the Observatory
When: First and third Friday night of each month
Where: McCormick Observatory UVA
Ranks: All
POC: http://www.astro.virginia.edu/public_outreach/pubnite.php/