Scout Programs

Scout Programs at the Park District

Brickton Art Center Scout Badges

Potter Badge

Earn this badge in a fun, 1.5-hour session at Brickton Art Center. Our instructor covers topics required to earn the badge such as the history of ceramics, kiln operations, and hand building techniques. The scouts also have a hands-on experience working with clay by making and glazing 
their own coil pot. Projects are ready for pickup in 10-14 days.

Fee: $12/scout (min 5/max 20)

Painting Badge

Learn to paint and color your world in this 1.5-hour session at Brickton Art Center. We help you earn your badge while creating a colorful self-portrait on 11x14 canvas.

Class covers how to:

  1. Get inspired
  2. Paint the real world
  3. Paint a mood
  4. Paint without brushes
  5. Paint a mural

When you’ve earned this badge, you’ll have new ideas about what to paint—and how to paint it.  

Fee: $12/scout (min 5/max 20)

Days and times can be arranged by emailing the Brickton Art Center Director, Alyssa Harris, bricktondirector@gmail.com.


Wildwood Nature Center

Wildwood offers programs for Daisies, Brownies, and Junior Girl Scouts, as well as Cub Scout programs for Tigers, Wolves, Bears, and Webelos that fulfill all the necessary requirement to earn a badge. We also offer general campfire and fishing programs. See age level below for more information on specific programs.

General Programs
  • Animals
  • Hiking
  • Geocaching
  • Campfire
  • Fishing
  • Outdoor Workdays/Clean-Ups
  • Eagle Scout Projects/Gold Award Projects
Booking A Program

Programs are usually scheduled on weekdays in the afternoons or evenings. We ask that you book your program by the 15th of the month before your program so we can schedule our staff. Programs booked after that date will have to wait for staff confirmation. To book your program, email Cara at cruffo@prparks.org or call 847-692-3570.

Click here for more information on Wildwood Nature Center's Scout Programs.


Oakton Ice Arena Scout Fun Badge

Looking for a fun outing for your scout group? Head out on the ice! Your visit includes 1 hour of skating with a Skating Instructor who will teach your group the basics of skating. Come early or stay after to watch our Zamboni resurface the ice! Free skate rental is included with your registration. Bring a bike helmet, gloves and/or mittens, and wear warm, comfortable clothing. Upon completion of class, each scout earns a Fun Badge! Ice Arena Fun Badge dates are available in Fall and Winter only.

Group Skating Rate: $5/scout

Contact Jordan Mann at 224-585-4860 or jmann@prparks.org for scout outing availability.


Centennial Fitness Center Scout Swim Lane Rental

Does your scouting group need their aquatic merit badge? This program is designed for scout groups that need to fulfill their water safety requirements for their merit badge. This program is not designed to meet the requirements of the Boys Scouts of America Aquatics Badge.
A maximum of 10 scouts can be accommodated and all scouts must be accompanied by a leader. All pool rules apply during Scout Swim.

Fee: $40 if the group just needs pool space and $55 if they need a staff member to sign off on any requirements.

Contact Ethan Williams at 847-692-8599 or ewilliams@prparks.org for lane rental availability.