Girl Scout Campout in the Garden

Girl Scouts will swap their meeting rooms for sleeping bags when the Huntsville Botanical Garden hosts its special overnight camping experience designed exclusively for troops. This September sleepover combines the fun of traditional camping with unique badge-earning opportunities across multiple Girl Scout levels, from Daisies through Cadettes and beyond. Scouts will explore the Garden after dark on a guided night hike, gathering around the campfire for s'mores before settling into tents beneath the stars. The program includes hot meals — dinner and breakfast — so families only need to bring camping gear and enthusiasm. The campout runs from 3:30 PM on Saturday, September 12, through 8:30 AM on Sunday, September 13, at the Garden's Bob Wallace Avenue location. Registration costs $25 per person (scout or adult), with discounted group rates available. Each troop must bring two adults for every ten scouts, or one adult for every five younger girls. The schedule staggers dinner times by age level to accommodate different badge activities throughout the evening, with lights-out at 9:30 PM for all ages. Pack bug spray, flashlights, refillable water bottles, tents, sleeping bags, pillows, and lawn chairs for this outdoor adventure. While the evening includes badge work tailored to each level, families should note that badges themselves aren't provided, and some requirements may need completion before or after the campout. Girl Scouts ages 5-14 will find age-appropriate activities built into the schedule, making this an ideal introduction to overnight camping for younger scouts or a more advanced outdoor experience for older girls.