Scout Events
Tenafly Nature Center offers these events for participants of all ages to take part in no matter if they are involved in Scouts BSA or Girl Scouts.
Take a look at the current scout event offerings!
Step into the night and discover a world of wonder! Our Night Hike & Campfire program invites scouts to leave the flashlights behind and explore the forest by sight, sound, and imagination. Journey through the woods, sharpen your night vision, and listen to the symphony of nocturnal wildlife.
This two-hour adventure accommodates 30–60 scouts, leaders, and adult chaperones, making it perfect for group bonding and evening fun around the fire. Children must be accompanied by an adult. In the event of inclement weather, the program will move under cover, replacing the hike with a nocturnal animal encounter. Space is limited and pre-registration is required.
Scout families: You’ll need a code from your scout leader to register. Leaders can request the code by contacting the Education Team.
Non-scout families and members: Experience the magic of the nighttime woods at our seasonal family hikes around the solstice and equinox. Visit our Seasonal Programs page to learn more.
Click on the date you are interested in to register.
FaerieFest 2025 - Fables & Fungi
Join Tenafly Nature Center for FaerieFest, a creative competition challenging scout teams to design and build a faerie house inspired by the beauty and magic of nature!
This fun, creative activity maximizes teamwork while building connections with the community and nature. All teams will receive a FaerieFest fun patch for each participating scout. All faerie houses will be contributed to the TNC Faerie Trail and showcased for the community to enjoy!
This year’s competition will also challenge teams to both seek inspiration from fungus, and to create an original story to go along with their houses
There are four groups, divided by grade levels. Due to space limitations of the trail, space is limited in each category. Scouts are encouraged to work as a group.
Please enter your scouts in the group corresponding to their grade level.
- The Sprites – Kindergarten-1st grade
- The Pixies – 2nd-3rd grade
- The Fairies – 4th-5th grade
- The Dryads – 6th grade and up
The parking lot will be closed on the day of the event. Scouts and materials will need to be dropped off in the cul-de-sac and vehicles will need to be parked on Hudson Ave.
This event will be have two shifts with schedules as follows.
- The Sprites and The Dryads 10:00 am – 12:30 pm
- 10:00 am – 10:30 am: Arrival, Check in, and Set-up
- 10:45 am: Event Kickoff together in the Parking Lot
- 10:45 am – 12:00 pm: Judging
- 12:15 pm – 12:30 pm: Announcement of results in the parking lot and departure
- The Pixies and The Faeries 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm
- 1:00 pm – 1:30 pm: Arrival, Check in, and Set-up
- 1:45 pm: Event Kickoff together in the Parking Lot
- 1:45 pm – 3:00 pm: Judging
- 3:15 pm – 3:30 pm: Announcement of results in the parking lot and departure
- The Sprites and The Dryads 10:00 am – 12:30 pm
Registration opens January 6, 2025 and continues through May 9, 2025.
Sign up by clicking the appropriate age group in the table to the right and use code SCOUT.
If you have any questions, please contact the Education Team for more information.
- All faerie houses must be completed, in place, and ready to be judged by the scheduled time on the day of the competition. While finishing touches may be applied on the day of the event, the majority of construction should be completed in advance.
- Faerie houses must appear to be made out of natural materials. All man-made, structural components must be hidden.
- A detailed list of all materials used must be presented during judging. Please check the list of acceptable materials (listed in the Materials section below).
- During judging, scouts should be prepared to orally present their original story along with a written copy. Additionally, scouts will be asked to give a short description of the house, its design and construction process.
- Houses must be portable with maximum dimensions of 18”h x 18”w x 18”d and be built on a base. They will need to be transported from the entrance to the trail on foot.
- Houses must have a sign or be marked with the name of the house, the troop/den number and location.
Permissible materials
- Wood (including bark from fallen trees).
- Prefabricated bases (bird houses, etc.) are allowed, and should be fully decorated if used.
- Shells, pinecones, native seeds (like acorns), stones, sticks, and preserved flowers are encouraged for decoration.
- Rope or string, as well as cloth, cotton, and yarn.
- Craft, super glues and epoxy are allowed.
- Cardboard and paper is not recommended, but laminated cardboard (i.e. milk cartons or other coated cardboards) is allowed.
- Nails, screws, or metal wires, and if utilized, should be concealed unless they are part of the design.
Prohibited materials:
- School glue, hot glue, and tape is prohibited, as they break down quickly.
- Living organisms are not allowed.
- Plastics, glass, ceramic, nonnative seeds, glitter, and feathers are strictly forbidden.
Finishing Touches
- Paints must be non-toxic and should be of natural colors.
- A coat of varnish, like Mod Podge, is encouraged to extend the life of your faerie house.
- Please note, faerie houses will be cleaned up/picked up as they break down over time due to weather and seasonal changes. Sturdy construction is important for the lifespan of submissions!
An award will be given for the house that best exemplifies each category in each group. Additionally, a “Golden Faerie” award to the house which best represents all categories.
- Making Magic – The faerie house displays unique creativity and is filled with faerie magic.
- Fungus Friendly – The faerie house looks like a natural part of the forest and benefits the local ecosystem.
- Sturdy Structure – The faerie house is well-built and will hold up to the elements.
- Enchanted Excellence – The faerie house demonstrates the effort and hard work by the scouts involved.
- Treasured Tales – The faerie house builders have a fantastical tale of the house, its residents, or any other bit of creative lore.