Follow Your Nose... And Eyes And Ears

Discover the many ways to explore your five senses through nature. Students build observation and identification skills through a hands-on Gardens tour. Textured and scented plants are highlighted in a mystery activity connecting recognition skills with sense of touch. Students plant an edible flower to bring the lesson home. Next Generation Learning Standard: LS2: Ecosystems: Interactions, energy, and dynamics

Plants are like People?

Did you know- plants are just like us? Discover a plant’s basic needs, parts and life cycle stages through Gardens games and hands-on activities. Learn how the environment thrives with their help. Students will meet and plant a “Plant Pal” to take home. Next Generation Learning Standard: LS1: From molecules to organisms: Structures and processes

Wonders in the Woods

How many stories can be found in the forest? Hear how trees work on a lake trail walk studying leaves, bark, other parts and functions. Stop, look and listen to a stump’s unique rings and learn the tale it tells from the inside out. Students craft a paper “tree cookie” to represent the importance of their own life stories. Next Generation Learning Standard: LS1: From molecules to organisms: Structures and processes

It's Not Easy Being Green

Using qualities of fragrance, texture and taste, plants directly affect their surroundings. Students follow their noses to investigate the symbiotic relationship of plants and the world around them discovering how, with key adaptations, plants are able to thrive in all types of habitats. Students plant a companion plant to bring the lesson home. Next Generation Learning Standard: LS1: From molecules to organisms: Structures and processes

Welcome to the PollenNation

The Gardens are abuzz with excitement in the growing season! Study the science of attraction as it relates to physical adaptations of flora and fauna. Students spy pollinators like birds, bees, and butterflies in action and take flight in a Gardens Pollination race. A bee buzzer craft completes the lesson. Next Generation Learning Standard: LS2: Ecosystems: Interactions, energy, and dynamics. LS3: Heredity: Inheritance and variation of traits

Fine Feathered Friends

Trek through Old Westbury Gardens like a true bird-watcher and discover various species that make their home on site. Observe and decide why some birds choose to migrate and how resident birds survive the cold winter. Students will finish the program with a take home activity celebrating birds. Next Generation Learning Standard: LS2: Ecosystems: Interactions, energy, and dynamics

Nature Upcycled

Water, light, soil– all in constant revolution, renewing and regenerating around us. Learn how Earth naturally balances and regulates our interdependent outdoor environment. Students debate humanity’s role in sustainability and craft an upcycled art piece to take home. Next Generation Learning Standard: LS2: Ecosystems: Interactions, energy, and dynamics

NEW Life Long Ago: Childhood on the Gold Coast

Curious about life as a kid in the 1900s? Discover the rules, toys, and daily routines of children from one of America’s wealthiest families. Play classic games and explore toy history with fun, hands-on activities. This tour highlights local Gold Coast history and how industrialization shaped family life and society.

A Bird’s Eye View

Unleash your inner ornithologist as you test your bird identification skills in the Gardens. Learn how birds play a vital role in our environment through pest control and seed scattering. Discuss the differences between native and non-native species and how they interact in the habitat. Conclude the program with a hands-on craft celebrating birds. Next Generation Learning Standard: LS2: Ecosystems: Interactions, energy, and dynamics

Cycles in Nature

Nothing goes to waste in nature. Explore the different types of energy cycles that are in constant motion and how people’s role in environmental sustainability affects these cycles. “Upcycled” materials will help create unique student projects that reflect the wonder of nature’s recycling capabilities. Next Generation Learning Standard: LS1: From molecules to organisms: Structures and processes; LS2: Ecosystems: Interactions, energy, and dynamics

Citizen Science- Entomology

Citizen scientists unite to study backyard bugs at the Gardens. Learn the basics of insect identification, life cycles and behavioral effects of beneficial and invasive species. Take part in an on-site count, collecting, comparing and analyzing seasonal data. A bee buzzer craft completes the lesson. Next Generation Learning Standard: LS2: Ecosystems: Interactions, energy, and dynamics

NEW Inventions and Imagination

Discover how the Industrial Revolution transformed America into what it is today! Learn how Old Westbury House changed from a quiet farm into a busy estate, and explore the daily life of the Phipps family. Take a closer look at the amazing new technology from the early 1900s that shaped the world. Play fun history and technology games, compare the lives of working-class people with those of the wealthy, and see how much life has changed—and what’s still similar—between then and now!

Gold Coast Gardens Tour

Bring The Great Gatsby to life with an Old Westbury Gardens tour of Carnegie steel heir J.S. Phipps’ former estate. Guided local history tours are presented by seasoned educators and focus on literary comparisons between the reality of Gold Coast life and the classic work of F. Scott Fitzgerald. Students explore 200 preserved acres including beautiful formal gardens in bloom, Peggie Phipps' childhood playhouse cottage and sprawling open space landscapes. This is an all outdoor tour. Westbury House is not accessible to group tours at this time.

Beautiful Botany Tour

In this Living Environment and Science centered tour students will explore the formal gardens. learning how plants evolved and became part of a complex ecosystem, as well as how humans have intervened in modifying plants for aesthetic and regional purposes. Students will participate in a planting project to take home with them to study plant growth.

Landscape Design and Architecture Tour

In this Art centered tour students will explore the architecture of Old Westbury House and the formal gardens. Students will learn about architecture history and the architect George Crawley, who designed both the house and landscaping of Old Westbury Gardens. See how craftsmanship, art history, and design can influence your art. This tour is great for High School Photography and Art classes looking for references and inspiration.

Daily Life in a Gold Coast Mansion

This Social Studies centered tour examines how the Industrial Revolution changed economic structures, societal roles, and technology, in this house and service wing tour. Learn how Old Westbury House went from a rural farm to a bustling estate, and how the Phipps family lived day to day. Then take a look behind the scenes and be introduced to the intensive labor required to create the lifestyle experienced by the Phipps and their guests. You’ll tour the many rooms that were only seen by servants to create the formal dining experiences of the social peers of the Phipps’s in the early 20th century.

Outdoor Art Maker

Explore the inspiring and artistic qualities of nature. Scouts learn the art of observation with “Leave No Trace” principles, complete a mystery natural sound game, and craft an outdoor inspired art piece. An all outdoor on-site Gardens art hunt is included with a found object “flat lay” photo activity. Learn and Earn: Daisy Outdoor Artmaker badge

Eco Learner

Foster a sense of stewardship for our changing planet. Scouts prepare for a green day out with an “Essentials” race. A guided Gardens walk looks closer at the nature beneath your feet and a trash or treasure activity teaches eco-mindfulness. Scouts plant a native sunflower to take home. An all outdoor on-site walk and nature circle activity are included. Learn and Earn: Daisy Eco Learner badge

Daisy Shapes in Nature

Brush up on STEAM skills exploring the many shapes in the natural world. Join a Gardens search for shapes and patterns that make "ordinary" objects like bee hives, spider webs, and flowers extraordinary for survival. Investigate a working pattern in a hands-on string craft designed to challenge scouts even further. An original adaptation drawing is included. Learn and Earn: Daisy Shapes in Nature badge

Spring Daisy Flower Tour

Meet Daisy’s spring flower friends in the Gardens. Planting, growth requirements, and the importance of bees are discovered while the “bee waggle dance” is practiced. Scouts will plant their own Plant Pal to take home. An all outdoor on-site flower friend hunt is included. Learn and Earn: Watering Can award, Daisy Responsible for What I Say and Do and Use Resources Wisely petals

Outdoor Art Creator

Get inspired by nature and its beauty in our seasonal Gardens! An outdoor detective walk leads scouts on a creative journey for their feet- in a nature dance game, for their hands- with a clay nature necklace craft, and for their tastebuds- in a mini herb garden take-home planting. A macro drawing activity is included. Learn and Earn: Brownie Outdoor Art Creator badge

Outdoor Adventurer

Are you ready for an adventure? Five senses are the guide when exploring the outdoors in a whole new way. Sniff and tell to create a personal scent diary and, later, buddy up for outdoor relay team challenge. Scouts plant a wildlife-friendly Zinnia flower to take home. An all outdoor on-site walk and camp knots lesson are included. Learn and Earn: Brownie Outdoor Adventurer badge

Brownie Shapes in Nature

Shape up your STEAM skills and add to the fun as we discover hidden shapes in our environment. Scavenge the Gardens searching for different categories within nature and, later, capture those elements in a word cloud. Use your findings to work individually designing a leaf tessellation and then together as a troop to craft and play giant spiderweb hopscotch. An all outdoor on-site walk and take-home Citizen Science bird watch activity are included. Learn and Earn: Brownie Shapes in Nature badge

Bugs

Join a bug hunt! Stroll the Gardens identifying local species through bug basics like body types and habitats. Beneficial bugs for pollination, pest control and environmental survival will be discovered in action. An all outdoor on-site bee buzzer craft activity is included. Learn and Earn: Brownie Bugs badge*

• Available May through mid-October

Senses

Scouts experience nature through the five senses. A mystery fragrance guess game, natural sound match, and outdoor texture hunt keeps scouts engaged. The science of taste is discussed and a rainbow of colored blooms will be observed in our flower beds. An all outdoor on-site sensory Gardens checklist activity is included. Learn and Earn: Brownie Senses badge

Outdoor Art Explorer

Explore nature inspired outdoor art concepts within the current maker movement. Get impressed with a clay nature necklace craft and practice your micro and macro photo skills in our flower beds. Chat art teamwork with a floral designer in a 100% woman owned small business and learn about community based guerilla gardening. An all outdoor on-site walk and a troop led “round” song activity are included. Learn and Earn: Junior Outdoor Art Explorer badge

• Individual or "troop camera" required for this badge

Junior Shapes in Nature

Count on your STEAM skills to get outdoors and find the most beautiful shapes in the Gardens. From symmetrical elements to fractals and Fibonacci sequences, the orderly organization of nature is astounding. Scouts complete a backwards bilateral symmetry drawing, seek out natural sequences in our landscape, and circle back around with concentric designs. An all outdoor on-site walk and Fibonacci flower activity are included. Learn and Earn: Junior Shapes in Nature badge

Drawing

Get outside to breathe the “plein air”! Immerse yourself in the outdoors to observe and gain artist’s perspective amongst seasonal flowers. Practice the art of the sketch with a botanical and a reflective drawing. An all outdoor on-site landscape drawing and portfolio activity is included. Learn and Earn: Junior Drawing badge

Gardener

Explore the world of gardening at Old Westbury Gardens! Scouts get hands-on with a personal soil experiment, learn about hardy plants while discovering surprising OWG gardens, and challenge career stereotypes along the way. An all outdoor on-site hardy plant scavenger hunt activity is included. Learn and Earn: Junior Gardener badge

Flowers

Canvas the Gardens in an all outdoor tour discussing flower basics like annuals, perennials, bulbs, growth conditions and the importance of flowers in daily life. A variety of seasonal flowers are highlighted with a focus on sensory flowers and their value in horticultural therapy. Secret flower message/ floriography activity is included. Learn and Earn: Junior Flowers badge

Animal Habitats

Soak in the season with the beauty of the outdoors while identifying native wildlife species like birds, fox, rabbits, and more along our Lake Trail. Endangered habitat preservation and the importance of people’s role in environmental sustainability is emphasized, particularly in relation to local LI species. Environmental researcher and food chain competition game activities are included.
Learn and Earn: Junior Animal Habitats badge

Playing the Past

Time travel to early 1900's Long Island for a fully immersive experience of the life and times of Peggie Phipps and the Phipps family. This outdoor tour challenges scouts to see the world through Peggie’s eyes and ears hearing stories of family traditions, playing a multitude of games of the past and other historic fun. Paper doll fashion design activity in included.
Learn and Earn: Junior Playing the Past badge

Outdoor Art Apprentice

Gain artistic perspective while venturing out to gather found materials for original art in the Gardens. Discover land artist Andy Goldsworthy and practice observation with pattern and texture photography. Collect natural items to build an ephemeral wildlife habitat and test its endurance against the elements. Scouts craft a take-home clay jewelry bowl from their findings. An all outdoor on-site walk and nature play list game are included. Learn and Earn: Cadette Outdoor Art Apprentice badge

• Individual or "troop camera" required for this badge

Trees

Trees connect every aspect of our everyday lives. Discover key characteristics to identify local trees. Complete a tree product guess game and learn the basics of tree biology and dendrochronology. An all outdoor on-site tree identification activity is included. Learn and Earn: Cadette Trees badge

Animal Helpers

Discover helpful animal heroes and their connection to people and the environment. Scouts complete a mix and match animal jobs game, discuss emotional assistance animals as well as the pros and cons of training them, and conduct a rapid fire pet owner interview. An all outdoor on-site “Take Paws” interdependence activity is included. Learn and Earn: Cadette Animal Helpers badge

Outdoor Art Expert

Look to the land as a resource for outdoor art inspiration. Take a Gardens sculpture stroll to see artwork in a natural setting and practice perspective capturing photos along the way. Study the Rose Garden with its maze-like style and try your hand at designing an original parterre garden for meditation. Scouts create an upcycled treasure/ not trash paper mosaic piece. An all outdoor on-site walk and round song activity are included. Learn and Earn: Senior Outdoor Art Expert badge

• Individual or "troop camera" required for this badge

Traveler

Get inspired to visit your dream destination! Scouts plan and prepare with virtual language lessons, create a personalized travel board, and find ways to be budget minded. A staycation activity helps troops envision their own town with a visitor’s eye. Scouts must bring their own device to complete an all outdoor on-site team photo tour activity is included. Learn and Earn: Senior Traveler badge

Ready, Set, Grow!

Take a Journey through Old Westbury Gardens grounds to search for and explore various types of gardens! Learn necessary skills and requirements for planting and growing a successful garden while engaging in The Life of a Tree game. Dig deep into food origins and learn to recognize differences between whole and processed foods through search and share activities. Scouts plant their own plant pal to take home and care for!

My Tiger Jungle

Use your senses to discover the sights and sounds of nature on Old Westbury Gardens’ grounds! Observe and record real-life plants, flowers, and animals on a 1-foot hike and play a bird ID guessing game to find out more about local species. Learn the importance of plants in our environment and, later, plant your own pot to take home and care for!

Tigers in the Wild

Learn hiking safety through interactive mystery search and share games that practice the Cub Scout Six Essentials, the Outdoor Code, and Leave No Trace principles. Hike Old Westbury Gardens’ grounds using newly acquired safety skills to complete a nature scavenger hunt to reveal local plants, trees, and wildlife. Solve fun nature riddles along the way!

Grow Something!

Scouts will be immersed in the world of plants while exploring Old Westbury Gardens' grounds! Learn the basics of plant growth requirements and, later, plant your own seeds to take home, care for, and monitor. Play a growth zone match game to discover local growing zones and how a plant's location affects its requirements. A find the plant challenge helps scouts learn more about local plants in their own neighborhood.

Paws on the Path

Explore hiking safety with engaging activities that will expand understanding of the Cub Scout Six Essentials, Outdoor Code, Leave No Trace principles, and the buddy system. Apply your safety skills while on a 1 mile hike through Old Westbury Gardens’ grounds to discover sights you’ve never seen before! Learn the basics of wildlife identification and see what new species you meet along the way.

Fur, Feathers & Ferns

Discover the many habitats at Old Westbury Gardens and learn their importance to the environment through a habitat breakdown game! Walk a mile through the Gardens to hunt for and identify clues that animals and plants thrive there. Explore ways to protect our balanced ecosystem and then plant an herb or vegetable of your own to take home and care for. 

Into the Woods

Explore the Gardens’ countless trees! While walking through the grounds, use an ID guide to identify common trees and learn to differentiate between deciduous species and conifers. Scouts investigate a trees’ parts, age, and inner workings by taking a closer look and observing a real-life “tree cookie”. Discover how trees and plants help the environment, create a plan to care for and grow a plant, and put that plan into action by planting a take home plant of your own!

Into the Wild

Explore Old Westbury Gardens many ecosystems on a stroll to search for, observe and record wildlife activity. Watch for and identify birds in the habitat. Use a bird flyway map to locate species migration flight paths and discover how humans can impact the balance of nature and its habitats. Use your new knowledge to build a miniature habitat terrarium to take home and care for!

Tree Talk Outreach Program

The Tree Talk Outreach Program immerses students in the fascinating world of trees, exploring the diverse species found in their backyards and school grounds. Students will be introduced to dendrochronology—the science of dating tree rings—to understand how trees grow and record their histories.

Our “tree cookies” bring the forest into the classroom, providing a tangible connection to these concepts. Through hands-on activities and games, students will learn to identify tree species by examining leaves, seeds, and bark, and discover why some trees lose their leaves in the fall while others do not.

By the end of the program, students will have a deeper understanding of the vital role trees play in our environment and how they can help protect these natural giants. Each student will also create a personalized “tree cookie” charting their own years of growth.

Gardening Outreach Program

The Old Westbury Gardens Gardening Outreach Program is a hands-on exploration of the remarkable life cycle of plants. From humble seeds to blooming flowers, students will witness the diverse world of plants and their seeds, learn about the balance of soil types and plant nutrients, discover the varying watering needs of plants, and even get up close and personal with some of the garden's most intriguing flora!

Gardening care basics will teach students to nurture their leafy charges and tend to soil, nutrients, and water with loving care. Students will depart the program not only with a green thumb but with a profound respect for the natural world, ready to embrace their role as stewards of the environment and carry the lessons learned forward, ensuring a greener, more sustainable future.

At the end of the program, each student will participate in planting their own plant to take home with them.

Pollinator Outreach Program

The Pollinator Outreach Program is a journey into the world of pollinators, the unsung heroes of Old Westbury Gardens and the planet as a whole. Uncover the vital role that these fascinating creatures play in our ecosystems. From the magical metamorphosis of butterflies to the ingenious colonization practices of bees, and even the mysterious world of night pollinators, including bats and moths, you'll discover the incredible diversity and interconnectedness of pollinators.

Engage in activities that illustrate how these creatures communicate, transform, and perceive the world through the lens of pollination. Students will learn valuable tips on how to promote and protect pollinating species in their own neighborhood. At the end of the program, each student will participate in making a bee buzzer craft.