Merit Badge Programs

Course List

  • Youth groups and scouts: Self-guided adventures
    Register your youth group or scout troop for a self-guided adventure at The Morton Arboretum.

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

  • Geocaching Merit Badge
    Earn your merit badge at The Morton Arboretum and learn all about geocaching. Two Sundays, March 17, and April 14, 2019, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

  • Geology Merit Badge
    Explore the geology at The Morton Arboretum while earning your merit badge. Sunday, March 31, 2019, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

  • Environmental Science Merit Badge
    Do experiments indoors and out at The Morton Arboretum to earn your Environmental Science Merit Badge. Two Sundays, April 7 and April 28, 2019, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

  • Nature Merit Badge
    Explore The Morton Arboretum’s unique flora and fauna and discover why some species need to be protected. (CANCELED) Three days: Tuesday April 9 through Thursday, April 11, 2019, 6:00 to 8:30 p.m.

  • Plant Science Merit Badge
    Earn your Plant Science Merit Badge at The Morton Arboretum while discovering the wonderful world of botany. Three days: (CANCELED) Tuesday, April 23 through Thursday April 25, 2019, 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 at The Morton Arboretum. Saturday, April 27, 2019, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

  • Hiking Merit Badge
    Let miles of walking trails at The Morton Arboretum roll beneath your feet as you experience and discover the wonders of nature and earn your Hiking Merit Badge. Two Sundays, May 5, 2019, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and September 8, 2019, 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 18, 2019, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

  • Citizenship in the World Merit Badge
    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. (SOLD OUT) Two Tuesdays, May 21 and June 18, 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

  • Citizenship in the Nation Merit Badge
    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. (SOLD OUT) Two Wednesdays, May 22 and June 19, 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

  • Citizenship in the Community Merit Badge
    How much do you know about government where you live? Just as ecosystems within The Morton Arboretum are a complex web, you live in a complex web of government units. (SOLD OUT) Two Sundays, February 3 and March 3, 2019, 1:00 to 3:30 p.m., or Two Thursdays, May 23 and June 20, 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.