A Seaport Sampler | All ages and scouts | $90 per person

The Seaport Sampler program offers a glimpse into life in a coastal town in the 1800s. Taking a nighttime tour of the Museum grounds, participants will discover what life was like in a seaport town and learn about some of the seaside professions of the past. The tour includes at least one hands-on activity such as ropemaking. After breakfast the second day, participants can climb the rigging of our historic vessel the Joseph Conrad (weather permitting) before ending their visit with a guided tour of the museum.

Sample Schedule

Day one

• 5:45 p.m. arrival in the South Entrance parking lot (across from the big red tugboat) 

• 6:00–6:30 p.m. move gear to sleeping location, orientation, and fire drill 

• 6:30–8:30 p.m. evening activities related to the selected theme 

• 8:30–9:00 p.m. free time, back to sleeping location 

• 9:00 p.m. lights out

Day two

• 8:00–9:00 a.m. breakfast (provided) 

• 9:00–10:30 a.m. rigging climb (weather permitting) or hands-on activity 

• 10:30–11:30 a.m. guided tour 

• 11:30 a.m. adjourn 

Slumber Party Under the Stars | All ages and scouts | $90 per person

Looking for a unique getaway? Why not try “camping out” at the Museum’s Treworgy Planetarium? Immerse yourself in a full-dome program before relaxing with friends and family. Then fall asleep under the “stars.”

Star Lore | All ages and scouts | $90 per person 

Enjoy a night under the stars as educators from Mystic Seaport Museum walk you through the star stories of different cultures from around the world. Then join us to create your own star lore in the Campbell Classroom. 

Sample Schedule 

Day one 

• 5:45 p.m. arrival in the North Entrance parking Lot 

• 6:00–6:30 p.m. move gear to Treworgy Planetarium, orientation, and fire drill 

• 6:30–7:30 p.m. planetarium show about star lore in different cultures 

• 7:30–8:00 p.m. snack 

• 8:00–9:00 p.m. evening craft activities 

• 9:00–9:30 p.m. get ready for bed 

• 9:30 p.m. sleep under the “stars” 

Day two 

• 8:00–9:00 a.m. breakfast (provided) 

• 9:00–10:00 a.m. morning craft activities 

• 10:00 a.m. adjourn 

Navigating with the Stars | All scouts ages 10 and above | $90 per person 

Ever wonder how sailors crossed oceans before GPS? Now is your chance to not only find out, but also learn some of those skills! Join Mystic Seaport Museum educators in the Treworgy Planetarium as we learn how to find latitude and longitude, why speed and direction are important, and how to read a chart. 

Sample Schedule 

Day one 

• 5:45 p.m. arrival in the North Entrance parking lot 

• 6:00–6:30 p.m. move gear to Treworgy Planetarium, orientation, and fire drill 

• 6:30–7:30 p.m. planetarium show about navigation 

• 7:30–8:00 p.m. snack 

• 8:00–9:00 p.m. sextant activity 

• 9:00–9:30 p.m. get ready for bed 

• 9:30 p.m. sleep under the “stars” 

Day two 

• 8:00–9:00 a.m. breakfast 

• 9:00–10:00 a.m. navigation activities 

• 10:00 a.m. adjourn 

Be a Space Scientist for Girl Scouts | Juniors, Cadettes, and Seniors | $90 per person 

Join us for some fun with the sky! The evening in our Treworgy Planetarium and Campbell Classroom will include a planetarium show and plenty of hands-on activities that meet partial requirements for Brownie’s “Science Adventurer” badge, and Junior’s “Space Science Investigator” badge. After breakfast the next day scouts can climb the rigging of the historic vessel Joseph Conrad (weather permitting) and participate in a guided tour of the Museum.  

Sample schedule

Day one 

• 5:45 p.m. arrival in South Entrance parking lot (across from the big red tugboat) 

• 6:00–6:30 p.m. move gear to sleeping location, orientation, and fire drill 

• 6:30–8:30 p.m. evening activities related to the selected theme 

• 8:30–9:00 p.m. free time, back to sleeping location 

• 9:00 p.m. lights out 

Day two 

• 8:00–9:00 a.m. breakfast (provided) 

• 9:00–10:30 a.m. rigging climb (weather permitting) or hands-on activity 

• 10:30–11:30 a.m. tour of the Museum 

• 11:30 a.m. adjourn 

Night Owl Badge for Girl Scouts | Cadettes | $90 per person 

Complete your Night Owl badge in a unique setting by spending the night at Mystic Seaport Museum!  

Sample Schedule

Day one 

• 5:45 p.m. arrival in South Entrance parking lot (across from the big red tugboat)  

• 6:00–6:30 p.m. move gear to sleeping location, orientation, and fire drill  

• 6:30–7:30 p.m. Scouts will see a planetarium show (learn 5 fun facts about the stars and planets), have an after dark tour of the Museum, and explore the night sky with a telescope (weather depending).  

• 8:30–11:30 p.m. nighttime “power down” party (think of games and activities you can do without power!)  

• 11:45 p.m. lights out  

Day two  

• 8:00–9:00 a.m. breakfast (provided)  

• 9:00–11:30 a.m. constellation story time and craft activity. For step 3 of this badge your troop can interview our overnight staff about running an overnight camp or overnight scout programs.   

• 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. adjourn and self-guided exploration of the museum; lunch on own (at Museum restaurant or bring own)

Out of This World for Cub Scouts | ages 7–10 | $90 per person 

There are five sections to the “Out of This World” award, and our workshop completes all except for the first section. 

• Section 1: Read or watch one hour of books/programs about space. Scouts are encouraged to complete Section 1 prior to attending a workshop at the Museum. We will then aid scouts in completing Sections 2-5. 

• Section 2: Option A 

• • Demonstrate how to focus a simple telescope or binoculars. 

  • Draw a diagram of the solar system. 

  • Draw and label five constellations. 

• Section 3: Part B 

• • Explain how “revolution” or “orbit” compares with “rotation.” 

  • Choose three planets to investigate and compare them to Earth. 

• Section 3: Part F 

• • Investigate and make models or diagrams of solar and lunar eclipses. 

• Section 4: Part A 

• • Visit a place where space science is being done (the Museum’s Planetarium!)

• Section 5:

• • Tell your counselor what you have learned about space exploration while working on this award. 

Sample Schedule 

Day one 

• 5:45 p.m. arrival in South Entrance parking lot (across from the big red tugboat) 

• 6:00–6:30 p.m. move gear to sleeping location, orientation, and fire drill 

• 6:30–8:30 p.m. activities related to the “Out of this World” Nova Award 

• 9:00 p.m. lights out 

Day two 

• 8:00–9:00 a.m. breakfast (provided) 

• 9:00–10:30 a.m. rigging climb (weather permitting) or hands-on activity 

• 10:30–11:30 a.m. tour of the Museum 

• 11:30 a.m. adjourn 

On the first evening Scouts participate in activities related to the “Out of this World” Nova Award.  After breakfast the next day scouts can climb the rigging of the historic vessel Joseph Conrad (weather permitting) and participate in a guided tour of the Museum. Following the workshop, the troop is responsible for obtaining and distributing the Awards. 

Astronomer’s Challenge for Boy Scouts | ages 10 and up | $90 per person 

This two-hour workshop satisfies roughly 50% of the requirements for a merit badge in astronomy. Our BSA-certified Merit Badge Counselors can certify completion of the specific sections of the Astronomy Merit Badge workbook that are completed through our workshop, and they can provide resources and suggestions for how Boy Scouts might complete the remaining requirements. Our workshop provides hands-on activities to satisfy the following sections of the Astronomy Merit Badge workbook: 

• Section 2: Light Pollution 

• Section 3: Binoculars and Telescopes 

• Section 4: Stars and Constellations 

• Section 6: The Moon (only partial completion of this section) 

• Section 8: Visit a Planetarium 

Sections of the workbook that are NOT included in our workshop are: 

• Section 1: Preparation and First Aid 

• Section 5: Planets 

• Section 6: The Moon (only partial completion of this section) 

• Section 7: The Sun 

• Section 9: Careers in Astronomy 

Sample Schedule 

Day one 

• 5:45 p.m. arrival in South Entrance parking lot (across from the big red tugboat) 

• 6:00–6:30 p.m. move gear to sleeping location, orientation, and fire drill 

• 6:30–8:30 p.m. activities related to the “Out of this World” Nova Award 

• 9:00 p.m. lights out 

Day two 

• 8:00–9:00 a.m. breakfast (provided) 

• 9:00–10:30 a.m. rigging climb (weather permitting) or hands-on activity 

• 10:30–11:30 a.m. tour of the Museum 

• 11:30 a.m. adjourn 

ALL SCOUTS

Mighty Mariners | All scouts ages 8 and above | $90 per person 

During this program Scouts learn about sailing past and present as they try their hand at sailing on the Mystic River. *Please note this program has a capacity of 25 people.  

Sample schedule (sailing included) 

Day one 

• 5:45 p.m. arrival in South Entrance parking lot (across from the big red tugboat) 

• 6:00–6:30 p.m. move gear to sleeping location, orientation, and fire drill 

• 6:30–8:30 p.m. climb the rigging of the Joseph Conrad (weather permitting), knot-tying, and rope skills  

• 8:30–9:00 p.m. free time, back to sleeping location 

• 9:00 p.m. lights out 

Day two 

• 8:00–9:00 a.m. breakfast (provided) 

• 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. sailing on 9-foot Dyer Dhow sailboats 

• 12:00 p.m. adjourn, self-guided exploration 

GIRL SCOUTS 

Eco Explorer Badge for Girl Scouts | Seniors | $90 per person 

Earn your Eco Explorer Badge in a unique setting by spending the night at Mystic Seaport Museum! Scouts will investigate the Mystic River and its environmental issues and get out on the water at the Museum. Scouts will share what they learned through a poster or social media post. Scouts should talk to a traveler or research an eco-activist and visit a location to explore biodiversity (badge steps 1 and 2) on their own before coming to Mystic Seaport Museum. 

Day one 

• 5:45 p.m. arrival in South Entrance parking lot (across from the big red tugboat) 

• 6:00–6:30 p.m. move gear to sleeping location, orientation, and fire drill 

• 6:30–8:30 p.m. Scouts will participate in a tour of the Museum with a focus on the river and our waterfront, learn about salinity, temperature, and density, and discuss environmental issues relating to water.   

• 8:30–9:00 p.m. free time and back to sleeping location 

• 9:00 p.m. lights out 

Day two 

• 8:00–9:00 a.m. breakfast (provided) 

• 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Scouts will learn about marine science topics including the ocean food chain and water quality.  Activities (weather permitting) will include a plankton tow and analysis under microscopes, data collection, weather observations, and river chemistry tests. Scouts will discuss what they learned and share their experiences on social media and/or by making a poster or other public presentation.  

• 12:00 p.m. adjourn 

BOY SCOUTS 

Motorboating Merit Badge for Boy Scouts | $90 per person 

Learn about powerboats, small marine outboard engine operation, and coastal navigation. We will cover safety and regulations, rules of the road, charting and navigation tools, operating underway, vessel and crew preparation, float plans, maneuvering, docking and line handling, basic engine maintenance and troubleshooting, and more. The class is taught on a 20-foot center console by a USCG licensed captain. This merit badge can also be obtained by taking one of our Homeschool or Afterschool Powerboating classes or in our Counselor-in-Training program for our summer sailing camps. Scouts are also encouraged to reach out to work on badge requirements independently with our instructors. BSA Swim Test must be done within one year of this program. Groups of 6 students or less are preferred but we can modify the schedule for larger groups if needed. At this time scouts must obtain their state safe boating certificate independently, preferably before completing the badge requirements.   

Sample schedule 

Day one 

• 5:45 p.m. arrival in South Entrance parking lot (across from the big red tugboat) 

• 6:00–6:30 p.m. move gear to sleeping location, orientation, and fire drill 

• 6:30–8:30 p.m. Scouts will participate in a tour of the Museum, learn rope skills and knot-tying, and learn about motorboating concepts such as right of way, navigation markers, lights and sound signals. 

• 8:30–9:00 p.m. free time, back to sleeping location 

• 9:00 p.m. lights out 

Day two 

• 8:00–9:00 a.m. breakfast (provided) 

• 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Scouts will review required topics for badge such as lifejackets, engine types, anchor types, fueling safety, winterization, float plans, weather and hazards, and participate in a swim test if needed. 

• 12:00–1:00 p.m. lunch on own (at Museum restaurant or bring own) 

• 1:00–2:30 p.m. Scouts will demonstrate proper boat handling procedures and skills such as how to board the boat, complete a safety check, get underway, navigate a 1-mile course demonstrating right-of-way knowledge and navigation markers, set the anchor, raise and stow the anchor, dock and secure boat, and disembark and secure gear. 

• 2:30 p.m. adjourn, self-guided exploration of the Museum 

Oceanography Merit Badge for Boy Scouts | $90 per person 

Join us at the Museum’s Sailing Center to learn about the Mystic River ecosystem while earning your Oceanography Merit Badge. Scouts will learn about the Mystic River ecosystem and get out on the water at the Museum. Each scout should prepare ahead of time a five-minute presentation on “Why Oceanography is Important” or “Career Opportunities in Oceanography” to present to the group after lunch on Day 2. 

Sample schedule 

Day one 

• 5:45 p.m. arrival in South Entrance parking lot (across from the big red tugboat) 

• 6:00–6:30 p.m. move gear to sleeping location, orientation, and fire drill 

• 6:30–8:30 p.m. Scouts will participate in a tour of the Museum with a focus on the Mystic River and our waterfront, and learn about salinity, temperature, and density. Scouts will review the water cycle, learn how ocean currents affect weather and climate, and analyze drawings of underwater topography. 

• 8:30–9:00 p.m. free time, back to sleeping location 

• 9:00 p.m. lights out 

Day two 

• 8:00–9:00 a.m. breakfast (provided) 

• 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Scouts will learn about marine science topics including the ocean food chain and water quality.  Activities (weather permitting) will include a plankton tow and analysis under microscopes, data collection, weather observations, and river chemistry tests. Reflecting on their activities, scouts will discuss how marine scientists investigate the ocean.    

• 12:00–1:00 p.m. lunch on own (at Museum restaurant or bring own) 

• 1:00 p.m. Scouts will prepare and deliver a five-minute presentation on “Why Oceanography is Important” or “Career Opportunities in Oceanography.”

Cabin Camper Badge for Girl Scouts | Brownies and Juniors | $90 per person 

Brownies and Junior Girl Scouts can earn their Camper Merit Badge in a unique setting by spending the night at Mystic Seaport Museum! Our staff is available to help scouts plan and prepare for the trip per badge requirements. For the camp meal scouts can bring their own “no cook meal” for dinner and/or we can have the girls do open-hearth cooking as the “food they’ve never tried before” option. For step #4 for the Juniors, the “Try a new activity” in the sample schedule below is sailing. Depending on weather or interest of the girls we can also do the “Be a scientist” option, make our own journals, and make scientific observations of the Mystic River. 

Sample schedule

Day 1 

• 5:45 p.m. arrival in South Entrance parking lot (across from the big red tugboat) 

• 6:00–6:30 p.m. move gear to sleeping location, orientation, and fire drill 

• 6:30–8:30 p.m. tour of the Museum, and sailor knots, and lanyard activity (Brownies) 

• 6:30–8:30 p.m. open-hearth cooking (Juniors) 

• 8:30–9:00 p.m. free time (Brownies) 

• 8:30–9:00 p.m. flashlight tag (Juniors) 

• 9:00 p.m. lights out 

Day 2 

• 8:00–9:00 a.m. breakfast (provided) 

• 9:00–11:00 a.m. Life in a Seaport Town tour with open-hearth cooking as one of the stops (Brownies) 

• 9:00–11:00 a.m. sailing and knot-tying (Juniors) 

• 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Games on the Green as a group (Brownies) 

• 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. compass navigation challenge activity (Juniors)     

• 12:00–1:00 p.m. adjourn, self-guided exploration of the Museum; lunch on own (at Museum restaurant or bring own)