Proud Partner with the Girl Scouts
The National Butterfly Center is thrilled to present the following programs for Girl Scouts, only.
What could be better than earning badges at the National Butterfly Center, where you never know what you will see! Explore and enjoy wild butterflies, birds of prey, endangered and protected species, and the South Texas specialties that are free to roam, here, where every visit is a unique experience, and each program is designed to provide close encounters with our natural wonders.
QUESTIONS? Call 956.583.5400, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
We look forward to seeing you!
2024-2025 Events
M3: Monarchs Need Milkweed & Me
Limit: 100 Girl Scouts
Date: Saturday, October 12, 2024
Time: 9 AM – 12 PM
Join us, as the Monarchs begin to arrive for fall migration, for the National Butterfly Center’s proprietary MONARCH CONSERVATION PROGRAM, exclusively for Girl Scouts. Earn our monarch fun patch, in addition to the ART IN THE OUTDOORS & NATURALIST array of badges for Daisies – Ambassadors!
Badges earned will be:
- Daisies: Eco-Learner, Outdoor Art Maker & Monarch Fun Patch
- Brownies: Outdoor Art Creator, Art and Design, Bugs & Monarch Fun Patch
- Juniors: Outdoor Art Explorer, Gardener, Art in Design, Flowers & Monarch Fun Patch
- Cadettes: Outdoor Art Apprentice, Trees & Monarch Fun Patch
- Seniors: Outdoor Art Expert, Sky & Monarch Fun Patch
- Ambassadors: Eco-Advocate, Public Policy, Outdoor Art Master & Monarch Fun Patch
We’re honored to equip the next generation of conservationists by teaching them how Monarchs Need Milkweed & Me at this very special event. Come learn what you can do to help the state insect of Texas recover from a historic decline in numbers.
Fees are listed per level and person. Registration includes your badges, fun patch, supplies, instructional programs from 9AM - 12PM, plus all-day park admission. There is no charge for 2 leaders/troop; parents and siblings pay applicable park admission, only. All participants are invited to pack a lunch and picnic under the palapa.
Space is extremely limited for this awesome experience, and this event will sell out quickly. Please register online now!
- Daisy (2 badges + patch): $30 ea.
- Brownie (3 badges + patch): $35 ea.
- Junior (4 badges + patch): $40 ea.
- Cadette (2 badges + patch): $30 ea.
- Senior (2 badges + patch): $30 ea.
- Ambassador (3 badges + patch): $35 ea.
For more information call 956.583.5400. 
Spike’s Birthday
Limit: 80 Girl Scouts
Date: Saturday, December 14, 2024
Time: 9 AM – 12 PM
Come celebrate SPIKE’S 21st BIRTHDAY PARTY, where you will receive our TORTOISE CONSERVATION fun patch and earn Animals, Math in Nature I and Math in Nature III, and STEM Career Exploration badges for Daisies – Seniors! Our African-Spurred Tortoise, is a giant model of his cousin the Texas Tortoise; friendly and fun, he’s also a huge part of our environmental education programs.
Badges earned will be:
- Daisies: Animal Observer, Shapes in Nature, Design with Nature, STEM Career Exploration, & Tortoise Conservation Patch
- Brownies: Pets, Shapes in Nature, Design with Nature, STEM Career Exploration, & Tortoise Conservation Patch
- Juniors: Animal Habitats, Shapes in Nature, Design with Nature, STEM Career Exploration & Tortoise Conservation Patch
- Cadettes: Animal Helpers, STEM Career Exploration & Tortoise Conservation Patch
- Seniors: Voice for Animals, STEM Career Exploration & Tortoise Conservation Patch
- Ambassadors: STEM Career Exploration & Tortoise Conservation Patch
This festive event includes a special fruitcake, singing, arts & crafts, “Beauty and the Beast” photos with Spike, and what may be the world’s slowest parade. Please bring an apple, long leaf lettuce, or strawberries for our scaled herbivore.
Fees are listed per level and person. Registration includes your badges, fun patch, supplies, instructional programs from 9AM - 12PM, plus all-day park admission. There is no charge for 2 leaders/troop; parents and siblings pay applicable park admission, only. All participants are invited to pack a lunch and picnic under the palapa.
Space is extremely limited for this awesome experience, and this event will sell out quickly. Please register online, at least two weeks before the event.
- Daisy (4 badges + patch): $40 ea.
- Brownie (4 badges + patch): $40 ea.
- Junior (4 badges + patch): $40 ea.
- Cadette (2 badges + patch): $30 ea.
- Senior (1 badge + patch): $25 ea.
NOTE: Spike’s Birthday Party is open to the public, however, Girl Scout badge activities are for Girl Scouts only.
For more information call 956.583.5400.
Survivor: South Texas
Limit: 100 Girl Scouts
Date: Saturday, March 1, 2025
Time: 9 AM – 12 PM
Go INTO THE WILD for a new fun patch at the National Butterfly Center, where you will earn your FIRST AID badge for Brownies – Ambassadors, and a whole lot of skills for a confident life outside. From splints and stings, to snakes and sunstroke, there is plenty for girls (and grownups) to learn about outdoor safety and how to handle the hazards you may encounter during a lifetime of adventure.
Badges earned will be:
- Daisies: Trail Adventure & Into The Wild Patch
- Brownies: Trail Adventure, Hiker, First Aid, & Into The Wild Patch
- Juniors: Trail Adventure, First Aid, & Into the Wild Patch
- Cadettes: Trail Adventure, Trailblazing, First Aid, & Into The Wild Patch
- Seniors: Trail Adventure, Adventurer, First Aid
- Ambassadors: Trail Adventure, First Aid, & Into The Wild Patch
Fees are listed per level and person. Registration includes your badges, fun patch, supplies, instructional programs from 9AM - 12PM, plus all-day park admission. There is no charge for 2 leaders/troop; parents and siblings pay applicable park admission, only. All participants are invited to pack a lunch and picnic under the palapa.
Space is extremely limited for this awesome experience, and this event will sell out quickly. Please register online, at least two weeks before the event.
- Daisy (1 badge + patch): $25 ea.
- Brownie (3 badges + patch): $35 ea.
- Junior (2 badges + patch): $30 ea.
- Cadette (3 badges + patch): $35 ea.
- Senior (2 badges + patch): $30 ea.
- Ambassador (2 badges + patch): $30 ea.
For more information call 956.583.5400.
Sleepover Under the Stars
Limit: 50 Girl Scouts
Date: Saturday, April 5 & 6, 2025
Time: 6pm to 8am
Always a sell-out event, spend the night under the stars at the National Butterfly Center where Brownies – Seniors are invited to participate in our OVERNIGHT event. Camp is anchored by our Metamorphosis Teepee, where you may hold your own midnight council meeting, over hot chocolate and s'mores. Although Daisy troops are not invited to this event, younger siblings attending with their sister(s) earn Buddy Camper; Brownies also earn Outdoor Adventurer; Cadettes earn Night Owl; and Seniors earn Adventure Camper, in this special opportunity to gain skills and spend the night under the south Texas stars.
Badges earned will be:
- Daisy Sibling: Buddy Camper
- Brownie: Eco Friend, Outdoor Adventurer
- Junior: Camper, Eco Camper
- Cadette: Eco Trekker, Night Owl
- Senior: Adventure Camper
Fees are listed per level and person. Registration includes badge(s), s’mores & instructional programs from 6:00PM - 8:00AM.
Food and camping supplies not included.
We have a limited number of tents available for use on a first come, first served basis. Tents must be reserved with registration, by calling the Chrysalis Pavilion.
Space is extremely limited for this awesome experience, and this event will sell out quickly.
Please register online, at least two weeks before the event so we may endeavor to have badges available for you on the day of the event.
- Daisy SIBLING (1 badge): $25 ea.
- Brownie (2 badges): $40 ea.
- Junior (2 badges): $40 ea.
- Cadette (2 badges): $40 ea.
- Senior (1 badges): $30 ea.
For more information call 956.583.5400.
Join Us