Girl Scouts Youth Program behind the scenes at the Zoo

Set Wild Goals and Learn Together

Scout & Youth Group Programs

Registration Opens Jan. 8, 2025!

Scout Day Programs

Bring Your Troop to the Zoo!

Girl Scouts will explore nature and the Zoo while working towards their scouting goals. During the program scouts will participate with hands on activities and special guided Zoo walks. Day Scout programs are designed to assist Girl Scouts with reaching their scouting goals and may only complete portions of the requirements for Badges or Journeys.

Animal Care

Join us for a Day Scout program designed for all ages! Participants will learn about the needs of animals and how they are cared for at the Zoo. During the program, attendees will have the opportunity to meet one of our Ambassador Animals and discover their specific care requirements. While this program is not directly associated with any particular badge or journey, it can help fulfill requirements related to animals, animal care, animal careers, and zoos.

When:

August 17 – 1pm-2pm
August 30 – 11am-12pm
September 7 & 13 – 1pm-2pm

Cost:

$20 per person. There must be at least one adult participant per 10 Scouts. Does not include Zoo admission.

Scout Twilight Adventures

Spend an evening at the Zoo and discover how we button everything up at the end of the day after the gates close.

When:
- Zoo Vet – 6pm – 9pm | June 10 or July 22
- Zoo Careers – 6pm – 9pm | June 11 or July 23
Cost
- $45 per person. There must be at least one adult participant per 10 Scouts.

Nocturnal Adventures for Girl Scouts

These Nocturnal Adventures are designed specifically for Girl Scout Brownies, Juniors and Cadets. Scouts will have fun earning a badge or a patch while spending the night at the Zoo. Cost: $70 per person (includes all evening activities, evening snack, breakfast, private animal encounter and admission to the Zoo the following day). One paid adult participant required per 10 youth. If you have a smaller group, you may sign up for a date to combine with another group.

Badge Programs

Animal Habitats for Juniors | June 18
- What does it take to keep animals healthy and active inside the Zoo? Junior Girl Scouts will explore animal habitats, learn about different animal enrichment and go behind the scenes after hours in our Oceans building to learn how a zoo habitat is designed.
Night Owls for Cadets | July 1
- Girl Scout Cadets will investigate the Zoo after hours and learn about what goes on at night. Scouts will take an evening hike in our Deserts area and explore nature’s nocturnal side.
Exploring Nature for Brownies | July 8
- Girl Scout Brownies will explore nature and learn how to be an outdoor adventurer – at night! Scouts will buddy up for a nature-themed scavenger hunt, go behind the scenes in our dolphin kitchen, and learn how we care for animals.

Patch Programs (recommended for ages 9-14 years)

Participants of these programs will earn a special Indianapolis Zoo Girl Scout Patch.

Ocean Discovery | June 17 or July 15
- Take an after-hours voyage to the underwater world of Oceans! Scouts will learn about the world’s oceans and the species that call them home. Visit the dolphin kitchen and learn how the Zoo cares for one of the ocean’s most iconic mammals, too!
Wildlife Conservation | June 28 or July 16
- How does the Zoo help wildlife around the world? Scouts will take a tour behind the scenes after hours to see how the Zoo cares for animals and learn steps they can take to conserve nature, too!

Nocturnal Adventures for Youth Groups

These Nocturnal Adventures are designed specifically for groups of youth such as church groups, 4-H groups, scout groups and more! You will have an adventure when you stay overnight at the Zoo! Cost: $70 per person (includes all evening activities, evening snack, breakfast, private animal encounter and admission to the Zoo the following day). One paid adult participant required per 10 youth. If you have a smaller group, you may sign up for a date to combine with another group.

Summer Safari | June 4 or July 2

Discover the animals of Africa and beyond on this overnight adventure. Take an after-hours educational hike in the Plains area and go behind the scenes in the Zoo Commissary to learn how animal diets are prepared. Perfect for any scouting troop or other youth group.

More Information about Scout and Youth Group Nocturnal Adventures

Program Details

Parking: Vehicles may unload luggage at the admission entrance of the Zoo. Vehicles staying overnight should park in the main Zoo lot.
Check-in begins at 6:30pm: Zoo staff will meet overnight groups at the admission entrance to the Zoo. Participants should have all their overnight luggage with them. Zoo staff will direct groups where to put luggage. Luggage will not be taken to the evening activities, so be sure to keep anything you will need before bedtime with you. Each participant is responsible for getting their own luggage to the sleeping area.
Evening activities: All program activities begin around 7:15pm.
Sleeping arrangements: Your group will sleep in one of the designated sleeping areas, such as the Dolphin Gallery or the Hix Institute. The Zoo reserves the right to move your group’s sleeping area. At the end of the night’s activities, Zoo staff will review sleeping arrangements and safety procedures and answer any questions. Education staff will stay overnight. Zoo Security staff are on site 24 hours a day. Lights out is around 10:15 pm.
Morning: A wake-up call is issued at 7am. Groups will pack up before breakfast. A breakfast buffet will be served starting at 7:30am. Following breakfast, luggage should be stored in vehicles until the end of the visit.
Animal encounter: Zoo staff will guide groups to a private animal encounter area. Afterward, program participants are free to explore the Zoo on their own.

Program Requirements

Participants must be at least 6 years old.
All participants must have a signed waiver of liability before beginning the program. Participants under the age of 18 must have their waiver signed by a parent or legal guardian.
All school and scout groups must provide a certificate of liability insurance.
Every attempt will be made to accommodate groups of all sizes, but minimum and maximum attendance levels are necessary to guarantee the quality of our programs.
- Each session has a minimum attendance of 35 individuals (adults and youth).
- If you have a smaller group, you may sign up for a date to combine with another group.
- If a date has not reached its minimum 30 days prior to the date of the event, the overnight may be cancelled. We will contact you to assist you with a refund or moving your group to an available date.
Refunds/cancellations: A 21-day cancellation notification is required to issue a full refund, minus an administrative fee equal to 10% of the total order cost. We offer no refunds—partial or full—if your group cancels less than 21 days before the overnight date.