All workshops take place at our Nature Center, located at 603 N. Appleton Rd. in Belvidere.
Payment must accompany registration and is non-refundable.
We reserve the right to cancel any workshop that has not met our minimum number of registrations, in that case, the registration fee will be refunded to the credit card on file.
Registration Opens at 12:01 am on November 1, 2023
Please make note of any prerequisites and other items needed for each workshop.
Scouts must provide their own blue merit badge card.

Textile
January 15, 2024
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
$15 Boone County Residents
$25 Non-residents
Register Here
Leatherwork
January 15, 2024
12:30 pm – 3:30 pm
$15 Boone County Residents
$25 Non-residents
Register Here
Fish & Wildlife Management
March 9, 2024
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
$15 Boone County Residents
$25 Non-residents
Prerequisites: Requirements #5 and #7 need to be completed by scout on their own. Evidence of completion is required.
Register Here
Plant Science
May 18, 2024
9:00 am – 3:00 pm
$15 Boone County Residents
$25 Non-residents
Prerequisite: Requirement “D” (from field botany option) needs to be completed by scout on their own. Evidence of completion is required.
Be prepared to go outside for part of the day.
Bring lunch and a water bottle.
Register Here
Environmental Science
August 17, 2024
9:00 am – 3:00 pm
$15 Boone County Residents
$25 Non-residents
There are no prerequisites.
Be prepared to go outside for part of the day.
Bring lunch and a water bottle.
Register HereMerit Badge List
We have a merit badge counselor on staff for the following badges:
- Backpacking
- Bird Study
- Camping
- Environmental Science
- Fish & Wildlife Management
- Forestry
- Hiking
- Insect Study
- Leatherwork
- Mammal Study
- Nature
- Orienteering
- Plant Science
- Reptile & Amphibian Study
- Soil & Water Conservation
- Sustainability
- Textile
- Wilderness Survival
Workshops can be scheduled by request for groups of at least eight guaranteed participants.
Our merit badge counselor is willing to meet with individual scouts to review completed requirements for any of the above badges if scheduled in advance.
Contact Tina Dawson tdawson@bccdil.org for more information.
Eagle Scout Project Opportunities
We have been the beneficiary of several amazing Eagle Scout projects and invite future Eagle Scouts to think of us when they are planning their projects.
Some things to consider:
- Projects must fit our mission to preserve natural areas for ecological, educational, and recreational benefits.
- Scouts should contact the BCCD at least 6 – 12 months in advance.
- Communication will be between scout and BCCD staff.
- BCCD staff is available for support and help with any road blocks.
- BCCD has a list of potential projects for scouts to consider.
- Projects vary in scope and purpose.
- They should benefit both our human and non-human residents.
Contact Mark Freedlund at mfreedlund@bccdil.org or (815)547-7935.