Scout Experiences | Learn & Explore

Girl Scout Overnights

Bunk for a Badge

Cost: $50 per scout, $30 per adult

The Bunk for a Badge program is specifically designed for Girl Scout Juniors and Brownies! Your scouts will have fun earning a badge while spending the night at the Zoo.

Join us on one of our thematic evenings. Brownies choose between Pets and Senses. Juniors choose between Animal Habitat, Detective and Flowers. The first troop to book the night selects the badge and only one badge program can be run per evening.

Only registered scouts, their leaders and parents are permitted for this program. Arrival time is 6pm. The next morning after breakfast, groups can stay and explore the Zoo all day.

Pets (Brownies)
Senses (Brownies)
Animal Habitat (Juniors)
Detective (Juniors)
Flowers (Juniors)

Do you know what it takes to care for a pet?

Whether you have a pet or not you will learn all about what you need to care for an animal as well as see how the Zoo cares for their animals. Through crafts, behind-the-scenes tours and other activities at the Zoo you will create your own pet care manual while earning your Brownie Pets badge.

Ever wondered why we have five senses?

We use them every day, but in this badge, your girl scouts will put their senses to the ultimate test! Don’t worry; we have items that will help you develop super senses for the evening. Your scouts will smell your way through “food” items, just like some ocean animals do. We will play a game with your ears, and strap on some “new” eyes to see the world differently. We will even take a look at our Deserts Dome to see how the animals use their senses.

It’s a celebration so put your party shoes on and come to a ‘wildlife party’ at the Zoo.

You will learn about animals and their habitats while getting ready for the party. There will be games to play and crafts to make as well as a scavenger hunt all in celebration of animal habitats.

When a long-haired snipe escapes at the Indianapolis Zoo, it is up to a group of Girl Scouts to help get it back.

Using clues, decoding messages from friendly orangutans, and making tracks, Girl Scout Juniors follow and eventually recover this fictitious animal.

They smell great, make amazing gifts and can cheer up any room!

But flowers are more than just a plant with good looks. Come and dig up more secrets about flowers in this badge. Go on a flower hunt, create a scented item to take home and find out your own flower superhero strength! We will even see some animals that flowers depend on in order to survive. By the end of our evening, your scouts will know just why flowers are a part of many cultures around the world.

Overnights for Scout groups, Clubs, and More

Summer Safaris

Cost: $50 per child, $30 per adult

Have you ever wanted to take an evening trek through the wild? At the Indianapolis Zoo, you can! During our Summer Safaris, you will discover the animals of Africa and beyond on this overnight adventure. This summer safari takes place at the Zoo where you will explore animals big and small. You'll take an after-hours hike in the African Plains and go behind the scenes in the Zoo Commissary while being guided by one of our knowledgeable educators. Available select dates in June, July, and Aug.

Important Requirements for Participation

Participants must be at least 6 years old to participate in any Indianapolis Zoo overnight program.
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.
Please note that our overnights have minimum attendance requirements (35 for Nocturnal Adventure and Summer Safari and 25 for Bunk for a Badge programs). If you have a smaller group, please consider signing up for a date with another group.
Group overnights require a deposit of $100 due at time of registration with the remaining balance due 30 days prior to your overnight.

Additional Overnight Information

Your program fees include Zoo and White River Gardens admission, parking fees, all activities, spending the night at the Zoo and a catered breakfast buffet.
Generally, your group will be joined by others. The maximum number of participants for a Bunk for a Badge is 45. The maximum number of participants for a Summer Safari is 75.
Please note that our overnights also have minimal attendance requirements, and the Zoo reserves the right to cancel due to participation numbers that do not meet our minimums. We will notify you at least two weeks in advance if we need to cancel.
Overnight guests sleep on the floor in one of our indoor event spaces. Air mattresses are welcome. Bathroom facilities are available but no showers.
Below is a sample itinerary during an Overnight Adventure. Specific activities and schedule for each overnight vary depending upon the program selected. For Bunk for a Badge overnights, girls perform activities to earn a badge. For all overnights, the first group to register gets to select the topic. Please note that the Zoo reserves the right to change any programming as necessary, including anything listed above. Also, please understand that we are not equipped to mix and match the activities.

DAY ONE

Arrive	6:00pm
Welcome & Orientation	6:30-7pm
Activity #1	7:15-7:45pm
Activity #2	8-8:30pm
Activity #3	8:45-9:15pm
Snack	9:30-10pm
Lights Out	10:15pm

Wake Up Call	7am
Breakfast	7:30am
Zoo Field Trip on Your Own	8:30am