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Merit Badge Programs

Course List

  • Youth groups and scouts: Self-guided adventures
    Following state recommendations to help slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), this program has been cancelled. For refund and more information, visit the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Preparedness and Prevention webpage.

  • Youth group and scouts: Guided adventures
    Share unique discoveries with your youth group or scout troop during a guided adventure at The Morton Arboretum.

  • Geology Merit Badge
    Explore the geology at The Morton Arboretum while earning your merit badge. Use a topographic map to determine elevation. Sunday, February 7, 2021, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

  • Geocaching Merit Badge
    Earn your merit badge at The Morton Arboretum and learn all about geocaching. Learn all about using handheld GPS units, strengthen your map and compass skills, find geocaches at the Arboretum, and discover local geocaches. Two Sundays, March 21, and April 18, 2021, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

  • Environmental Science Merit Badge
    Conduct experiments indoors and out at The Morton Arboretum to earn your Environmental Science Merit Badge. Two Sundays, April 11 and May 23, 2021, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Please note: the second Sunday has changed to May 23 from May 9.

  • Virtual Citizenship in the World Merit Badge (Online)
    Learn what it takes to be a good citizen in the world. Compare the rights we have in the United States with the rights of two other countries. Two Tuesdays, April 13 and May 18, 2021, 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

  • Virtual Citizenship in the Nation Merit Badge (Online)
    How much do you know about your national government? In this merit badge class, held at The Morton Arboretum, explore the three branches of our national government. Two Wednesdays, April 14 and May 19, 2021, 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

  • Virtual Citizenship in the Community Merit Badge (Online)

    How much do you know about the government where you live? Just as ecosystems within The Morton Arboretum are a complex web, you live in a complex web of government units. Two Thursdays, April 15 and May 20, 2021,6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

  • Nature Merit Badge
    Explore The Morton Arboretum’s unique flora and fauna and discover why some species need to be protected. Learn how animals, plants, and soil are interconnected, while meeting the requirements of the Nature Merit Badge. Three days: Tuesday, April 18 through Thursday, April 16, 2021, 6:00 to 8:30 p.m.

  • Weather Merit Badge
    Earn your Weather Merit Badge as you explore meteorology and discuss how weather affects the economy and our daily lives. Saturday, April 24, 2021, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

  • Bird Study Merit Badge
    Study the characteristics, behavior, and significance of birds as you earn your merit badge at The Morton Arboretum. Saturday, May 22, 2021, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.