Outing Ideas
Camping
Isaac Davis Camporee
The Isaac Davis Camporee is held in Acton on Patriot's Day Weekend. Camaraderie, camping, stories, songs, skits, hiking, fun, etc.
Scout (and other) Camps
Camp Carpenter in Manchester, NH (Daniel Webster Council)
E. Paul Robsham Scout Reservation (Camp Resolute) in Bolton, MA
Nobscot Scout Reservation in Sudbury, MA
Lone Tree Reservation in Kingston, NH (Spirit of Adventure Council)
Camp Sayre in Milton, MA (Spirit of Adventure Council)
T.L. Storer Scout Camp in Barnstead, NH (Spirit of Adventure Council)
Parker Mountain Scout Camp in Barnstead, NH (Spirit of Adventure Council)
David R. Collier Scout Reservation in Gardner, MA (Nashua Valley Council)
Crafts
Magic Brush
Magic Brush is a place where scouts can make, paint, and glaze their own pottery and ceramics.
Home Depot
Home Depot offers kid's workshops in Nashua and Tewksbury (search their web site for "Kids Workshops"). Webelos can work towards their Craftsman activity badge. It is also possible to buy kits to work on at a den meeting (search their web site for "Ready-To-Assemble Kits").
Roudenbush
Roudenbush offers scout badge packages in pottery and other crafts.
Clayworks of Westford
A Westford pottery studio offering scout badge packages in pottery. Photos from a Webelos outing are here.
Time to Clay
Time to Clay in Nashua is a creative pottery art studio where scouts can paint their own pottery, create with clay, and fuse glass.
Fire Your Desire
An Acton ceramics studio where scouts can paint ceramics.
Tandy Leather Factory
The Tandy Leather Factory in Chelmsford has leathercraft kits for purchase, as well as classes.
Brickapalooza
Brickapalooza in Westford offers LEGO Themed education with classes ranging from general building to public speaking and mechanical engineering.
Hikes, Bikes, & Paddles
Westford Conservation Trust
Westford Conservation Trust has maps and descriptions of numerous Westford trails.
Mt. Wachusett
From the summit of Mt. Wachusett, a clear day reveals views of Mt. Monadnock in New Hampshire, the Berkshires to the west, and the Boston skyline to the east. The 3,000-acre Wachusett Mountain State Reservation surrounds the summit and offers a wealth of natural and recreational resources. Special programs for scouts are offered.
Bruce Freeman Rail Trail
The Bruce Freeman Rail Trail follows a 6.8 mile route through parts of Lowell, Chelmsford, Westford, and Acton (and hopefully eventually on to Framingham).
Mt. Watatic
Mt. Watatic is an almost ideal family hike only about an hour west. A three mile round tip hike to the summit of an 1800 foot mountain. On a clear day a person can see the entire expanse of the state of Massachusetts, from Boston in the east to Mt. Greylock in the west.
Purgatory Chasm
Purgatory Chasm is a unique natural landmark in Sutton, Purgatory Chasm runs for a quarter of a mile between granite walls rising as high as 70 feet. Trails lead to a wide variety of rock formations, with such romantic names as The Corn Crib, The Coffin, The Pulpit, Lovers' Leap and Fat Man's Misery. See this site also.
Dunstable Rural Land Trust
Dunstable Rural Land Trust has trails through 600 acres of open space parcels in Dunstable.
Hiking Trails in Neighboring Towns
Many towns near Westford have nice trails described in web sites: Bolton, Boxborough, Carlisle, Chelmsford, Concord, Dunstable, Harvard, Littleton, and Stow.
South Bridge Boat House
South Bridge Boat House rents canoes or kayaks (or bring your own) for exploring the Assabet, Sudbury and Concord Rivers in Concord. Only a 1.5 mile paddle to the Old North Bridge. See photos from a den trip.
Nashua River
Nashoba Paddlers rents canoes or kayaks (or bring your own) for exploring the Nashua River in Groton. They also offer an environmental education option.
Ward Reservation
Ward Reservation is a 695 acre reservation in Andover including 420-foot Holt Hill, the highest point in Essex County, and a rare quaking bog.
Halibut Point
The weather-beaten bluffs of Halibut Point in Rockport comprise a low rocky coastal shelf covered in bayberry, greenbriar, and shadbush. During storms, waves crash over the rocky shore. Tidal pools harbor snails, hermit crabs, and sea stars.
Great Brook Farm
Great Brook Farm in Carlisle. Twenty miles of hiking trails, tours of the active dairy farm and barn, snowshoeing and groomed cross-country skiing (and rentals), Kimball's ice cream. Also has milking tours.
Nashua River Rail Trail
The Nashua River Rail Trail is a former railroad right of way that travels 11 miles through the towns of Ayer, Groton, Pepperell and Dunstable. The trail travels along a varied landscape, offers numerous scenic overlooks, opportunities to see wildlife and has several resting stops.
Lowell-Dracut-Tyngsboro State Forest
The Lowell-Dracut-Tyngsboro State Forest has numerous hiking trails through a diverse landscape.
Zoar Outdoor
Zoar Outdoor in Charlemont, Massachusetts offers whitewater kayaking instruction and zipline canopy tours for scouts as young as ten years old. Also has overnight camping.
Salem Woods
Salem Woods comprises 160 acres of diverse uplands, freshwater marshes, open fields, and running water. It is home to more than 150 species of birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. A Salem Woods Trail Guide is available.
Medal & Patch Hikes
There are several Medal & Patch Hikes of historical interest for which cool patches and medals can be earned.
Scouts New England Hiking Trails
The Scouts New England Hiking Trails web site has links to many good trails around New England.
Kayaking and Sailing Lessons
See also the Natural World section below.
History
Lowell National Historical Park
The Lowell National Historical Park commemorates the early story of America's Industrial Revolution. The Park offers visitors an in-depth look into the past that brought the 19th century textile industry to tap the waterpower of the Merrimack River while also revealing cultural connections to the present and visions for the future.
Minuteman National Historical Park
The Minuteman National Historical Park brings to life the opening battle of the Revolution as visitors explore the battlefields and witness the American revolutionary spirit through the writings of the Concord authors. Special educational programs, re-enactments, musket firing, the Old Manse, and the Old North Bridge.
Barrett-Byum Homestead
At the Barrett-Byum Homestead in Chelmsford visitors of all ages learn about Chelmsford's rich history and culture by touring period rooms and exhibits, delving into family or local history, and participating in educational programs and social activities. Check the Chelsmford Historical Society calendar for open houses, fairs, and other special events.
Old Sturbridge Village
Old Sturbridge Village is a “must-see” destination to experience early New England life from 1790-1840. One of the country’s largest living history museums, it has a large staff of historians in costume, 59 historic buildings on 200 acres, three authentic water-powered mills and two covered bridges. Visitors can ride in a stagecoach, view antiques, heirloom gardens, meet the farm animals, and take part in hands-on crafts year-round. There is a large variety of special scout programs, ranging from woodworking with old tools to cooking over an open hearth.
Plimoth Plantation
Plimoth Plantation offers an opportunity to learn about the colonial life including the world of the Pilgrims, their food, games, crafts and clothing. Included on the Plantation site is a recreation of an Wampanoag village. The Wampanoag was the tribe which shared their customs and the first Thanksgiving with the English settlers. You can experience a traditional dinner, crafts, toys and pots. Special scout programs, including overnights. See photos from a pack overnight.
Mystic Seaport
Mystic Seaport is the country's leading maritime museum. It has three Mystic Seaport adventures - the bustling 19th-century village of tall ships and historic buildings, exhibit galleries brimming with the culture of seafaring lives, and a unique shipyard where the nearly lost art of wooden shipbuilding endures. Has scout overnights.
Gore Place House Museum
Gore Place House Museum is a Federal period historic house and estate in Waltham which includes a small farm with sheep, goats and poultry. The elegantly furnished mansion has been called “the Monticello of the North”. Over 200 acres to enjoy for outdoor activities. Snowshoe rentals are available - explore the 48-acre grounds on snowshoes!
America's Stonehenge
America's Stonehenge in Salem, New Hampshire is "a maze of man-made chambers, walls and ceremonial meeting places, most likely the oldest man-made construction in the United States (over 4000 years old)." Also has alpacas, a kids dig, and other activities. Over 105 acres to enjoy for outdoor activities including snowshoeing (even "candlelight" snowshoeing). Snowshoe rentals are available.
Museums
American Textile History Museum
American Textile History Museum offers a range of opportunities specifically designed to fulfill Cub Scout requirements, ranging from Tigers to Webelos. Also allow time to visit the Learning Center and tour the permanent exhibit for a complete day.
Museum of Science
Museum of Science in Boston is great for visiting or for overnights. They also have a variety of programs designed specifically for scouts.
United States Naval Shipbuilding Museum
Visit or overnight at the United States Naval Shipbuilding Museum in Quincy, including the heavy cruiser USS Salem.
Battleship Cove
Visit or overnight at Battleship Cove in Fall River on the USS Massachusetts or one of the other 5 sister ships. See photos from a pack overnight.
Westford Museum
The Westford Museum houses a wonderful collection of artifacts typical of small towns.
Discovery Museums
The Discovery Museum in Acton has exhibits and programs helping to cover science and engineering topics.
Children's Museum of Portsmouth
The Children's Museum of Portsmouth has scout overnights.
Fruitlands
The 210-acre Fruitlands landscape includes the site of the 1843 Fruitlands experiment led by Bronson Alcott, the first Shaker Museum in the world, a Native American museum, a fine art gallery of Hudson River landscapes, 19th century portraits, changing exhibits, and trails through woodlands and meadows. Several educational programs are offered, including one on native american life.
Harvard Museum of Natural History
The Harvard Museum of Natural History in Cambridge actually combines three museums: the Museum of Comparative Zoology, the Harvard University Herbaria, and the Mineralogical and Geological Museum. They offer a variety of programs, both guided and self-guided.
Natural World
The Butterfly Place
The Butterfly Place is a 3,100 sq. ft. glass atrium building in Westford containing up to 500 butterflies representing as many as 50 different species from around the world.
EcoTarium
The EcoTarium is a unique indoor-outdoor museum in Worcester, Mass. Set in an urban oasis, the EcoTarium offers a chance to walk through the treetops, take a thrilling multimedia journey through the galaxy at a digital planetarium, meet wildlife, stroll nature trails, ride a narrow-gauge railroad, and get hands-on with family-friendly exhibits. Offers special scout programs including overnights.
New England Aquarium
Besides the well-known exhibits, the New England Aquarium offers behind the scene tours, squid dissection programs, and overnights.
Beaver Brook
Beaver Brook in Hollis, New Hampshire has over 200 acres of land for hiking, biking, horseback riding, bird watching, and many other activities. The Beaver Brook Association offers a variety of seasonal programs and outdoor programs ranging from forestry to owls to orienteering.
Whale Watches
Experience the thrill of watching whales surfacing, feeding, and breaching in the important feeding areas of Stellwagen Bank, just off the Massachusetts coast. Among the many tour operators are Captain Bill and Yankee Fleet, both out of Gloucester, and the New England Aquarium in Boston.
Stone Zoo
The Stone Zoo in Stoneham is fun to visit and also offers special scout programs, including overnights.
Davis Farmland
Davis Farmland is great fun, plus offers a chance to learn about endangered domesticated animals. Also has overnights.
Charmingfare Farm
Charmingfare Farm has farm animals, a wildlife exhibit, hay rides, and more.
Nashua National Fish Hatchery
The Nashua National Fish Hatchery supports Atlantic salmon, American shad and other aquatic species restoration efforts in the Merrimack River and other rivers. In 2007, the station produced 1.8 million salmon eggs and 800,000 shad fry. Provides free guided tours, lectures, and multimedia presentations.
Mass Audubon Sanctuaries
Many of the Massachusetts Audubon sanctuaries offer special programs just for scouts. Here is a complete listing.
Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary
Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary offers a chance to explore a real working farm and a wildlife sanctuary all in one day. Also offers on-and-off site programs specifically designed to meet the needs and interests of scouts.
Stony Brook Wildlife Sanctuary
The Stony Brook Wildlife Sanctuary in Norfolk, an extensive boardwalk system allows you to follow along the edge of Teal Marsh for a great view of turtles, fish, muskrats, and great blue herons. Special programs are offered for scouts, including one for Bear scouts and ones for Webelos to earn their Naturalist and Forester activity badges.
Moose Hill Wildlife Sanctuary
The Moose Hill Wildlife Sanctuary is Mass Audubon’s oldest sanctuary and one of the largest with nearly 2,000 acres. The 25-mile trail system brings you through diverse habitats— explore the red maple swamp via the boardwalk, observe amphibians at a vernal pool, or watch swallows catching insects in the meadows. Special programs are offered for scouts including overnights, nocturnal hikes, maple sugaring weekend, etc. (see list of badges).
Broad Meadow Brook Conservation Center and Wildlife Sanctuary
The Broad Meadow Brook Conservation Center and Wildlife Sanctuary in Worcester has over 400 acres of woods, fields, streams, and marsh to explore. Look for 78 different species of butterflies, prowl for owls, or learn to snowshoe. Special programs are offered for scouts, including ones for Webelos to earn their Naturalist, Geologist, and Forester activity badges. Also offers overnights.
Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary
The Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary in Princeton is a wildlife sanctuary and educational center. Twelve miles of trails include such highlights as a 80-acre beaver pond and a 1300 foot summit offering excellent hawk watching in the fall. Special programs are offered for scouts. Also offers overnights and snowshoe rentals.
Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary
The Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary has nine miles of walking trails guide you through a variety of field, woodland, and wetland habitats. Special programs are offered for scouts of all ranks.
Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary
The Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, Mass Audubon’s largest sanctuary, offers more than 10 miles of interconnecting trails that invite you to explore the forests, meadows, and wetlands. Canoe along eight miles of the Ipswich River that run through the sanctuary and camp on Perkins Island, located a half-mile up the river. Special programs are offered for scouts of all ranks, including ones for Webelos to earn their Naturalist and Forester activity badges. Overnights are also possible.
Nashaway Trackers
The Nashaway Trackers teach people to read the footprints and other signs that our wild neighbors leave behind as they go about their daily and nightly business. They offer tracking walks and slide shows for scout groups. Learn to track wildlife in their Family Tracking Program.
Walnut Hill Nature and Tracking Center
The Walnut Hill Nature and Tracking Center offers a variety of animal tracking programs, especially in the Winter.
Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary
The Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary's forest, meadows, marsh, and wetlands in Easthampton are great places to explore at any time of year. Special scout programs are offered, including overnights.
Roger Williams Park Zoo
The Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence is one of the best zoos in the region. They have special scouting programs and also overnights.
South Shore Natural Science Center
The South Shore Natural Science Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating the public about the natural and cultural environments of the South Shore. The South Shore Natural Science Center is located on 30 acres surrounded by 200 acres of town conservation/recreation land consisting of meadows, woodland, and a pond. They welcome visitors year round. The South Shore Natural Science Center has day programs and overnights for scouts of all ages. Go here for photos of one of our overnights.
Amoskeag Fishways
The Amoskeag Fishways is an award-winning environmental education center located in Manchester, NH on the beautiful Merrimack River. In May and June, visitors can experience the unique opportunity to view migrating salmon, shad, herring and sea lamprey in the underwater viewing windows. Has a very wide variety of programs for kids (fish, birds, river ecology, electricity, native peoples, etc.). Go here for photos of a visit to the fish ladder. Also, please see the information sheet for more details about the dam, the ladder, and the fish.
Northfield Mountain
Northfield Mountain is a huge pumped storage hydroelectric facility operated by FirstLight Power Resources, which offers tours of the facility as well as a wide variety of outdoor programs. Northfield Mountain offers cross country skiing, hiking, and mountain biking on 26 miles of trails; camping, canoeing, kayaking and upriver canoe shuttles at their Barton Cove recreation area; interpretive riverboat cruises and charters on the 60-seat Quinnetukut II; public environmental and recreation programs at the Visitor Center; and school environmental and recreational programs on-site. Other offerings include a public picnic area and a 70-seat, rentable pavilion area at Riverview, camping for boaters at Munn’s Ferry, and fishways (PDF: 211KB) for free spring viewing of thousands of migrating fish.
Roudenbush
Roudenbush offers "ponding" and "stream critters" outings.
Massabesic Audubon Center
Enjoy nature in winter at the Massabesic Audubon Center as you trek the trails on snowshoes (snowshoe rentals offered). Also has a variety of programs year round - snowshoeing clinics, life under the ice, natural medicine, tracking, etc.
Essex River Cruises
Essex River Cruises in Essex, MA offers boat trips through the pristine marine estuary of the essex River. Discover salt marshes, islands carved by glaciers, barrier beaches, sand dunes, winding rivers, rare birds and other wildlife, as you glide back in time. Dates: April through October.
Seacoast Science Center
The Seacoast Science Center in Rye, NH is a great setting for an environmental education field trip. Indoor and outdoor programs are available throughout the year.
Mass Wildlife
The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife offers a variety of outdoor events, an angler education program, and guest speakers available to offer programs on a variety of topics or projects ranging from fisheries, wildlife, endangered species, and more.
Zoo in Forest Park and Education Center
The Zoo in Forest Park in Springfield, MA offers a variety of scouting programs.
See also the Hike, Bikes, & Paddles section above.
Overnights
Broad Meadow Brook Conservation Center and Wildlife Sanctuary
Children's Museum of Portsmouth
Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary
South Shore Natural Science Center
United States Naval Shipbuilding Museum
Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary
Plays
Wheelock Family Theatre (Boston)
Lowell Memorial Auditorium (Lowell)
Concord Youth Theatre (Concord)
Acting Out Theater Company (Lawrence)
Peacock Players (Nashua)
Center Stage School of Performing Arts (Westford)
Drawbridge Puppets (Lunenburg). Also has workshops and behind-the-scenes tours.
Blanchard - Stony Brook Productions (Westford)
Science
North Shore Amateur Astronomy Club
The North Shore Amateur Astronomy Club is an astronomy club that conducts star parties at the request of organizations in the interest of public education. These events usually consist of a slide presentation, lecture and observing session though they will tailor each presentation to the particular needs of the requesting party.
Aldrich Astronomical Society
The Aldrich Astronomical Society offers special scout programs which can be tailor made to suit individual circumstances. They offer a very simple introductory program that will start scouts thinking about myths, story telling, constellations and will help them with identification of objects in the night sky from their own backyard!
New Hampshire Astronomical Society
The New Hampshire Astronomical Society is dedicated to furthering public awareness of Astronomy via public observing sessions, demonstrations, astronomical slide shows, discussions and talks. NHAS provides these services on request and free of charge to any organization, including schools, libraries, clubs, etc.
Christa McAuliffe Planetarium
The Christa McAuliffe Planetarium is a terrific planetarium which also offers many programs including overnights. Has rocketeer programs in which kids learn about rockets and then build and fire one off. Also has a variety of skywatching events.
Roudenbush
Roudenbush offers "top secret science" scouting programs.
Gilliland Observatory
The Gilliland Observatory at the Museum of Science is a wonderful resource. It is equipped with a computer-controlled, Celestron CGE 1100 Schmidt Cassegrain telescope and staffed by knowledgeable Museum employees. Weather permitting, the observatory is open every Friday, 8:30 - 10:00 p.m. in Boston and is great for visiting or for overnights.
See also the Natural World section above.
Service
Lowell Wish Project
The Lowell Wish Project offers a variety of service projects suitable for scouts.
Birthday Wishes
Birthday Wishes brings birthday parties to homeless children.
Sports
Roller Kingdom
Roller Kingdom in Tyngsboro offers roller skating, roller blading, and Laser Tag.
Nashoba Valley
Nashoba Valley offers skiing and tubing right in our own town!
Pat's Peak
Pat's Peak offers skiing and tubing relatively nearby (Henniker, NH). Check their web site for information on their scout weekend - two days of skiing, snowboarding, snowtubing & lodge overnights usually the second weekend in March.
Vertical Dreams
Vertical Dreams is an indoor rock climbing gym in Manchester, NH. Has group functions, including during off hours (perhaps overnights?).
Boston Rock Gym
Boston Rock Gym is an indoor rock climbing gym in Woburn, MA. Has group functions, including during off hours and overnights.
Central Rock Gym
Central Rock Gym is an indoor rock climbing gym in Worcester , MA. Has group functions, including during off hours and overnights.
Nashoba Brook Orienteering
The Nashoba Brook Orienteering Course in Acton is an excellent area to get started with orienteering.
More Orienteering
Check out the maps and event schedule on the web site of The New England Orienteering Club. Also check out the Up North Orienteers. Finally, Beaver Brook in Hollis, New Hampshire offers orienteering training.
Geocaching
Geocaching is a high-tech treasure hunting game played throughout the world by adventure seekers equipped with GPS devices. There are almost a hundred geocaches within five miles of Westford. Check out the official geocaching web site or GeoScouting for more information.
Letterboxing
Letterboxing is an intriguing mix of treasure hunting, art, navigation, and exploring interesting, scenic, and sometimes remote places. There are dozens of letterboxes in surrounding towns. Check out the Letterboxing North America web site for more information.
Tyngsboro Sports Center
The Tyngsboro Sports Center of indoor sport activities. They also offer outings and overnights tailored for individual groups. "Spend time on the turf field playing games using our facilitators to assist in making it a flawless event. After a great time on the field, go into our event rooms for pizza, chicken fingers or other great food options, drink and tokens for our arcade. A terrific way to get them together for some exercise, fun and laughs. Our outings may be done at night, playing into the wee hours, play a movie on our big screen and allow everyone to just 'sleep-in'.".
Tepee Archery
Tepee Archery in Acton offers special archery events for scouts.
Also search this page for "skiing" and "snowshoeing".
Other
Westford Water Department
The Westford Water Department offers very interesting tours of their newest water treatment and monitoring facility. This is a great chance for scouts to learn where much of the town's drinking water comes from.
WCAP Radio Station
Visit WCAP Radio Station in Lowell. Webelos can work toward their Communicator activity badge there.
Metrowest Newspaper
Take an excellent tour of the editorial offices of Metrowest Newspaper in Framingham, the plant where the Metrowest Daily News and over twenty local papers are printed. This is a great opportunity for scouts to learn what goes into writing and printing a newspaper.
Westford Eagle
Visit the newsroom of the Westford Eagle.
Soule Homestead Education Center
Soule Homestead Education Center is a non-profit working farm and agro-ecology education center in Middleboro teaching humane sustainable agriculture, environmental science and rural crafts. Offer programs for scouts.
Guard Up!
Guard Up! Family Swordsmanship in Burlington, MA offers classes and programs in Fencing, Japanese Swordsmanship (Kendo), and Historical Weapons. They also run Wizards & Warriors day and overnight camps.
Cranberry Bog Tours
Cranberry Bog Tours offers tours of a cranberry harvest, a spectacular sight.
Learning Express of Acton
Learning Express of Acton supports the Baseball Card Clubhouse program. This program allows Wolf and Bear dens to hold meetings at Learning Express and to work towards the completion of collection-related awards.
Cub Scout Pack 91 Things to See & Do
Pack 91 in Worcester has a great list of things to do, many reasonably close to us.
CoCo Keys Water Park
CoCo Keys Water Park is an indoor water park in Fitchburg, MA that has special scouting programs.
Free Airplane Rides
EAA Chapter 196 has a Young Eagles program offering free airplane rides to children between the ages of 8 and 17, usually on the second Saturday between 9 a.m. and noon (weather permitting). This takes place at Minute Man Air Field in Stow.
Woodbound Inn
Woodbound Inn in Rindge, New Hampshire has been the scene of many winter overnights for the pack. It is on the shores of Lake Contoocook in the heart of the Monadnock region.