Scouting at The Schiele​

The Schiele Loves Scouts!

Museum founder Bud Schiele was passionate about scouting. He worked as a scout executive, unifying and expanding troops in the North Carolina Piedmont in 1924. Bud and his wife, Lily, worked tirelessly to open “Camp Bud Schiele,” a Boy Scout camp on the shores of Lake Lanier before they turned their attention toward a natural history museum.

Outside of special events and regular admission, open to all, The Schiele provides overnight Camp-In experiences and Badge Nights for Scouting America and Girl Scout troops and groups.

Scouting groups of at least 15 can also reserve special field trips and enjoy group rates.

sleeping bags set up in NC Hall by the piedmont and cave display
Girl Scouts gather around a spider specimen
Mother and son pose in Cats Untamed by the bobcat

Thank you for your interest in Scouting at The Schiele events!
This year’s Camp-Ins and STEM Badge Nights will be open for registration on Tuesday, October 13.
Please have your participant count ready and be prepared to pay for your group when registration opens. Events fill quickly, and registration is first come, first served.

Camp IN at The Schiele Museum

Overnight camp-ins are perfect for giving scouts a unique camp experience with no worries about outdoor safety or weather. Campers can complete badge or pin requirements while experiencing interactive programs and activities that focus on nature, science, culture, and FUN.

The logo of Camp-In at the Schiele Museum.

Overnight Camp-Ins
All camp-ins begin at 6:30 PM, Friday, and end at 9:00 AM, Saturday.

November 6 – 7, 2026 (Cub Scouts)

January 15 – 16, 2027 (Scouts BSA, Cub Scouts)

March 19 – 20, 2027 (Girl Scouts)

$50 per person

Spread your sleeping bags in the museum exhibit galleries and sleep surrounded by wild animals, dinosaurs, or Native American Indian chiefs! Scouts will have opportunities to complete some badge requirements, go on a flashlight scavenger hunt, see a planetarium show, and enjoy hands-on activities and programs.

Camp-In includes an evening snack, breakfast, and a museum patch for each participant. Participants are welcome to visit the museum on the Saturday after Camp-in during open hours at no additional cost.

Badge Night logo featuring science symbols

STEM Badge Nights
Friday, 6:00 – 11:00 PM

February 5, 2027 (Girl Scouts)

April 9, 2027 (Scouts BSA, Cub Scouts)

$50 per person

Don’t miss a night at the museum with your troop to explore exhibits after hours! Closed to the public, but open just for scouts, the museum will be full of opportunities to complete badge requirements while having fun. Enjoy a planetarium show, hands-on activities and programs, a flashlight scavenger hunt, and a guided tour of the new Elizabeth Williams Robinson Hall of Dinosaurs.

STEM Badge Night includes dinner, a museum patch for each participant, and MORE opportunities to complete some badge requirements. Participants are welcome to visit the museum during open hours on the Saturday following Badge Night at no additional cost.

REGISTRATION AND PAYMENT INFORMATION:

Registration for 2026-2027 Scouting at The Schiele events will open on Tuesday, October 13, 2026 at 8 AM. Registration and payment options have been streamlined to make planning easier! Simply choose your event, click the registration link, and pay online for the number of campers and chaperones that will be participating. Once payment is made, your group will be confirmed immediately. Have your participant count ready and be prepared to pay for your group when registration opens on October 13.

Be the first to get information about the 2026-2027 Scouting season! Join our interest list for email notifications.

Scouting at The Schiele Interest Form