Ellanor C. Lawrence Park

CONTACT INFORMATION: Walney Visitor Center Open hours: Mon & Wed-Fri 9-5 p.m., Saturday-Sunday 12-5 p.m. Closed Tuesdays. The park's trails, picnic tables and grounds are open dawn to dusk.
703-631-0013 TTY 711
Walney Visitor Center: 5040 Walney Road; Woodlands Stewardship Education Center: 5301 Walney Road
Chantilly, Virginia
Kylie Lee
Manager

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Ellanor C. Lawrence Park Scouting Adventures

parktakes online

Sign Up

To sign up online you need a Parktakes account and a credit card. No account yet? Create your account today! or call 703-222-4664.

By Request Scouting Program Pricing

  • $10 per person for hour program
  • $15 per person for 90 minute program
  • $20 per person for 2 hour program.

Merit Badge Fees

Fees are listed under each badge’s registration page

Merit Badge Fees

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Ellanor C. Lawrence Park offers scout programs that can be scheduled through Parktakes Online or by request.
Programs will cover as many badge requirements as time allows.

Scheduling

  • Programs are available after school, in evenings, and on weekends.
  • Programs must be scheduled at least two weeks in advance.
  • Troop/Group must pay for a minimum of eight scouts. Small troops may be combined with other groups attending the same program.
  • Troop/Group must pay for minimum scouts one week prior to the program.
  • Merit badge programs must be requested at least four weeks in advance.
  • The availability of merit badge programs by request depends on counselor availability.

To book a program or inquire about costs, please email Lara.Dolata@fairfaxcounty.gov or call (703)-631-0013.

Explore Scouting Opportunities

CUB SCOUTS

Tigers

Length: 1 hour

Requirements Covered: All

Length: 1.5 hours

Requirements Covered:  All

Wolves

Length: 1.5 hours

Requirements Covered: 1-4 and 6

(Contact site for program details)

Length: 1.5 hour

Requirements Covered: All

Bears

Length: 1 hour

Requirements Covered: 1 and 3b

Webelos

Length: 1.5 hour

Requirements Covered: All

Length: 1.5 hours

Requirements Covered: All

Girl Scouts

Daisy

Length: 1.5 hours, Patch included

Length: 1 hour

Requirements Covered: All

Length: 1 hour

Requirements Covered: All

Length: 1 hour

Requirements Covered: All

Length: 1 hour

Requirements Covered: All

Brownies

Length: 1.5 hours

Requirements Covered: All

Length: 1.5 hours

Requirements Covered: All

Length: 1.5 hours, Patch included

Length: 1.5 hours

Requirements Covered: All requirements except Bring a Snack

(Contact site for program details)

Length: 2 hours

Requirements Covered: All

Length: 1.5 hours

Requirements Covered: 1, 2, 3, 5 (all except #4)

Juniors

Length: 1.5 hours

Requirements Covered: All

Length: 2 hours

Requirements Covered: All

Length: 2 hours

Requirements Covered: All

Length: 2 hours

Requirements Covered: All

Length: 2 hours

Requirements Covered: All

Length: 1.5 hours

Requirements Covered: All except #5

Cadettes

Length: 2 hours

Requirements Covered: All

Length: 2 hours

Requirements Covered:  1, 2, 4, 5  

Length: 2 hours

Requirements Covered: All

Length: 2 hours

Requirements Covered: All

Seniors

Length: 2 hours

Requirements Covered: All

Scouts BSA Merit Badge Programs

Scouts should review the official merit badge requirements before class. Requirements may change, so always check Scouting America or Scoutbook for the latest version.

Important Information for Scouts and Families

Most merit badges are not designed to be completed in one session. Some requirements must be completed before class, and some may require additional work after class before a blue card can be signed.

Please Bring

  • Authorized blue card (Application for Merit Badge). The park does not provide blue cards.
  • Recommended Merit Badge Workbook
  • Completed prework
  • Pen or Pencil
  • Water bottle
  • Snack or lunch, depending on the length of the program
  • Weather-appropriate clothing
  • Closed-toe shoes for outdoor programs

Scouts should be prepared to discuss and present completed prework during class.

Parents and guardians are encouraged to stay. Programs follow Scouts BSA youth protection policies, and all instructors are approved merit badge counselors.


Merit Badge Programs and Requirements

This program is approximately four hours long.

Requirements Covered

The program covers requirements 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8b,10,11 and 12 of the Bird Study Merit Badge.

Required Before Class

Complete the following requirements before attending:

  • Requirement 2: Show that you are familiar with the terms used to describe birds by doing the following:
    • (a) Sketch or trace a perched bird and then label 15 different parts of the bird.
    • (b) Sketch or trace an extended wing and label six types of wing feathers.
  • Requirement 9: Do one of the following. For the item you choose, describe what birds you hope to attract, and why. Describe the necessary maintenance required with the item that you choose.
    • (a) Build a bird feeder and put it in an appropriate place in your yard or another location.
    • (b) Build a birdbath and put it in an appropriate place.
    • (c) Build a backyard sanctuary for birds by planting trees and shrubs for food and cover.
    • (d) Build a nest box for a species of your choice using plans approved by your counselor.
    • (e) Describe the elements of a backyard bird habitat for a given area and draw a plan for one, including lists of birds you hope to attract, appropriate plantings for food, cover, and nesting.
  • Requirement 13: Identify three career opportunities that would use skills and knowledge in Bird Study. Pick one and research the training, education, certification requirements, experience, and expenses associated with entering the field. Research the prospects for employment, starting salary, advancement opportunities and career goals associated with this career. Discuss what you learned with your counselor and whether you might be interested in this career.

This program is approximately five hours long.

Requirements Covered

The program covers requirements 3a, 4c, 5c, 6c, 8a, 9 and 10 of the Environmental Science Merit Badge.

Required Before Class

Complete the following requirements before attending:

  • Requirement 1: Describe the meaning of environmental science in your own words. Explain how you think we can use science to understand, conserve, and improve our environment.
  • Requirement 2: Do the following and discuss with your counselor:
    • (a) Choose an area approved by your counselor and observe (sight, sound, and smell) its ecosystem over a two-day period.
    • (b) Make notes about the living, nonliving (e.g. rocks) and formerly living components. Include information about interactions among the components, including the food chain, predators, native species, and invasive species and identify how human activities have affected the ecosystem.
  • Requirement 7: Pollution Prevention, Resource Recovery, and Conservation. Do the following and discuss with your counselor:
    • (a) Determine five ways to conserve resources or use resources more efficiently in your home, school, or camp. Practice at least two of these methods for at least one week.
  • Requirement 11: Identify three career opportunities that would use skills and knowledge in the environmental science field. Pick one and research the training, education, certification requirements, experience, and expenses associated with entering the field. Research the prospects for employment, starting salary, advancement opportunities and career goals associated with this career. Discuss what you learned with your counselor and whether you might be interested in this career.

This program is approximately two hours long.

Requirements Covered

The program covers requirements 1, 2, 4g, 5, and 6 of the Mammal Study Merit Badge.

Required Before Class

Complete the following requirements before attending:

  • Requirement 3 (c): From study and reading, write a simple life history of one nongame mammal that lives in your area. Tell how this mammal lived before its habitat was affected in any way by humans. Tell how it reproduces, what it eats, and its natural habitat. Describe its dependency upon plants and other animals (including humans), and how they depend upon it. Describe how humans have benefited from the mammal you have chosen and whether the mammal has benefited from association with humankind.
  • Requirement 7 (a): Explore careers related to this merit badge. Research one career to learn about the training and education needed, costs, job prospects, salary, job duties, and career advancement. Your research methods may include —with your parent or guardian's permission — an internet or library search, an interview with a professional in the field, or a visit to a location where people in this career work. Discuss with your counselor both your findings and what about this profession might make it an interesting career.

This program is approximately three hours long.

Requirements Covered

The program covers requirements 11, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,9b and10 of the Reptile and Amphibian Study Merit Badge.

Required Before Class

Complete the following requirements before attending:

  • Requirement 8: Do one of the following:
    • (a): Take custody of one or more reptiles or amphibians in a manner approved by your counselor. Maintain one or more reptiles or amphibians for at least a month. Record food accepted, eating methods, changes in coloration, shedding of skins, and general habits; or keep the eggs of a reptile from the time of laying until hatching; or keep the eggs of an amphibian from the time of laying until their transformation into tadpoles (frogs) or larvae (salamanders). Whichever you chose, keep records of and report to your counselor how you cared for your animal/eggs/larvae to include lighting, habitat, temperature and humidity maintenance and any veterinary care requirements. Unless you are the long-term owner, at the conclusion of this study, turn the animal(s) over to another responsible party approved by your counselor.
    • (b): Choose a reptile or amphibian that you can observe or foster at a local zoo, aquarium, nature center, local rescue, or other such exhibit (such as your classroom or school). Study the specimen weekly for a period of three months. At each visit, sketch the specimen in its captive habitat and note any changes in its coloration, shedding of skins, and general habits and behavior. Discuss with your counselor how the animal you observed was cared for to include its housing and habitat, how the lighting, temperature, and humidity were maintained, and any veterinary care requirements. Find out, either from information you locate on your own or by talking to the caretaker, what this species eats and what are its native habitat and home range, preferred climate, average life expectancy, and natural predators. Also, identify any human-caused threats to its population and any laws that protect the species and its habitat. After the observation period, share what you have learned with your counselor.
  • Requirement 9 (a): Identify at night three kinds of toads or frogs by their voices. Imitate the song of each for your counselor. Stalk each with a flashlight and discover how each sings and from where.

Questions?

For questions about badge requirements or follow-up work, please contact the Merit Badge Counselor at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park: Lara.Dolata@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Scout Projects

Each year, Ellanor C. Lawrence can accept a limited number of scout projects to complete Eagle, Bronze, Silver and Gold Award requirements. If you’d like to propose a project for the park, please email Victoria.MARTIN@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Girl Scouts removing non-native invasive bush honeysuckle

 

Programs / Activities

Birdwatching
Birthday Parties
Campfires
Classes and Camps
ECLP On Your Own
Events in the Park
Family Outdoor Exploration
Field Trips
Historic Tours
Outreach Programs
Plants and Wildlife
Scouts

Facilities / Rentals

Ellanor C. Lawrence HOME
Athletic Fields
ECLP's Natural History
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Picnic
Playground
Rental Facilities
Walney Visitor Center
Woodlands Stewardship Education Center

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