How many of us take advantage of our local museums and parks when programming for our Cub Scouts to meet rank and adventure requirements? Probably all of us. Luckily, there are some free opportunities available to make these visits fit your Pack or Den’s budgets.

Every Kid in a Park (Webelos only)
Every Kid in a Park is a program run by the United States National Park Service in which fourth graders in the country receive free admission to National Parks. Scout leaders can print out passes to be handed out to Scouts for free here. It’s also worth checking to see which sites will convert the paper passes into plastic cards and lanyard passes, making it more durable for multiple uses.

Of note: This program runs Sept 1 through Aug 31, so if your school year starts at the beginning of August (like ours), you essentially have to print the passes twice to use it the entire school year.

Free Entrance Days in the National Parks
On five days in 2019, all National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone. Fee–free dates in 2019:

• January 21: Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
• April 20: First day of National Park Week
• August 25: National Park Service Birthday
• September 28: National Public Lands Day
• November 11: Veterans Day

Click here for more information

From experience, I can tell you that Fort Caroline and Fort Matanzas in Florida are both free admissions for anyone all year round as is the Ocmulgee Indian Mounds in Macon, Georgia.

National Parks Service Junior Ranger Programs
While many of the NPS sites charge admission, most of them offer free Junior Ranger programs. These are usually booklets that contain activities to be done while at the site. Upon completion, participants usually take an oath (which will sound very similar to our Outdoor Code in Scouting) and receive a badge pin for that site. Just ask a ranger upon your group’s arrival, or be more courteous and notify them in advance you are coming so they have enough available.

National Wildlife Refuges
I have yet to visit a NWR that isn’t free admission all year round. I know that locally, our Savannah NWR has an amazing visitor center in Hardeeville, SC, complete with free junior ranger program, too. The rangers are also very accommodating about their programs, just give them a call to set up something. I highly recommend the animal olympics, which we have done a couple of times with our Cubs there.

The SNWR has multiple sites:

• Visitor Center in Hardeeville, SC
• Laurel Hill Wildlife Drive off 170 in SC
• Pinckney Island on Hilton Head Island (you really, really need bikes)
• Harris Neck  (Townsend, GA)

 

Super Museum Sunday (in Georgia)
Generally the first Sunday in February each year, historical sites and museums throughout Georgia offer free admission as part of the Super Museum Sunday program. The goal is to get families and individuals out to experience the history and culture of Georgia, so it’s a great opportunity for Scout outings, too.
Click here for list of participating sites

Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day
Saturday, September 21, 2019
Museum Day is a one-day event in which participating museums and cultural institutions across the country provide free entry to anyone presenting a Museum Day ticket. Participants are allowed to download one ticket per email address. The ticket provides free general admission on Saturday, September 21, 2019, for two people.
Click here for list of participating sites

Friends of Georgia State Parks
Although not necessarily free, if you have a parent or leader willing to purchase a supporter level pass, your group can take advantage of some discounts:

• Two Free Picnic Shelter Rentals
• 3 nights of free camping (you’ll have to talk to the individual parks about how many tents/vehicles are allowed at each site)
• Two parking passes good for two vehicles to park for free (carpool anyone?)
• 10% off admission for up to 6 people to historic sites

 

Also, check with your local library. Many of them in Georgia allow you to check out a park pass generally good for one week. This will get you free admission to parks but not historic sites.

When planning your visit to any of the Georgia State Parks, visit their Facebook pages. Many of them offer special activities over the weekends, such as guided hikes, scavenger hunts, time period demonstrations. You may even be able to have a program tailored to your group if you contact a ranger far enough in advance. And don’t skip out on the free Georgia State Parks Junior Ranger program opportunities.