Complete "Earth Rocks"
A Connecticut Geology Program for Boy Scouts at Dinosaur State Park
Webelos Workshops are scheduled on specific Saturdays each Spring and Fall. There are no workshops scheduled at this time. Contact the Park Office for future dates. When making your reservation, complete and submit the Registration form and Roster form.
Check In: 8:30 a.m.
Program: 9:15 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
The Webelos Workshop provides an opportunity for scouts to complete the requirements of the Earth Rocks Activities in a unique geologic setting. The program consists of a series of activities at several stations located in the Dinosaur State Park Exhibit Center. These hands-on activities will include starting a collection of Connecticut rocks (samples provided), learning how and where these specimens formed, meeting with a geologist, doing hardness tests, and participating in a Connecticut mineral scavenger hunt in the Discovery Room . Scouts will also view a film about volcanoes and hear a "Track Talk" about the dinosaur tracks and rocks found in the park. Groups are encouraged to allow additional time to explore the exhibit center and nature trails on their own. The program will be held rain or shine.
TIME: Doors open for check-in at 8:30 a.m. The Program begins PROMPTLY at 9:15 a.m. and continues until 12:30 p.m. The schedule includes time for either an optional live animal demonstration or free time in the exhibit center or at bookshop.
COSTS: The fee for scouts is $7. All others will pay the regular cost of museum admission ($6 for ages 13 and older, $2 for ages 6 - 12, and free for 5 and under) when they arrive on the day of the workshop. A variety of embroidered patches will be available for an additional $3 per patch.
REGISTRATION: Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Programs fill quickly so mail your registration and payment as soon as possible. Space is limited to 60 scouts. Print out the registration form and the roster form to complete your registration. We CANNOT accommodate walk-ins because we must prepare materials for each scout.
PAYMENT: Please complete the Registration form along with the Roster and return them to Dinosaur State Park, 400 West St. Rocky Hill, CT 06067. Payment is due the day of the event. We accept checks, credit cards and/or cash. Checks should be made payable to Treasurer, State of Connecticut.
CHANGES and CANCELLATIONS: Please call the park office (860)529-5816 to let us know if you have changes prior to the event.
LUNCH: Please bring your own lunch, since no food is available for sale at the park. There is a large outdoor picnic area and pavilion, but no indoor facilities are available for lunch. Workshop will be held rain or shine. You may choose to have lunch on your own time after 12:30 p.m., and use the lunch period as free time instead. There are numerous restaurants in close proximity to the park.
OTHER ACTIVITIES: The park includes a picnic area, more than 2 miles of hiking trails, a track-casting area (May - October), and a mining sluice (April - October).
PLEASE NOTE
*SMOKING, FOOD AND BEVERAGES ARE NOT PERMITTED IN THE EXHIBIT CENTER.
*The use of cameras and flash IS permitted in the Exhibit Center.
*Clothing and footwear should be appropriate for the weather if using nature trails.
BOOKSHOP: Leaders may wish to allow time after touring the Exhibit Center for groups to visit the Friends of Dinosaur Park Bookshop. All profits from the Bookshop are used to support Park programs. Adults are requested to help young students to choose their purchases and make sure they have enough money for the items, plus 6 percent sales tax. Please remind the children in your group to approach the register once until everyone has had a chance to make a purchase. After making their purchase, students should be directed to remain with the rest of the group, outside if possible. Large groups should plan their time accordingly and break into small, chaperoned groups to visit the Bookshop.
Beginning March 20, Bookshop hours are Tuesdays through Sunday, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cash, checks, MASTERCARD, VISA or DISCOVER are accepted in the bookshop. Time: Allow at least 1/2 hour, more time if the group is large.
NATURE TRAILS There are approximately two miles of nature trails at the Park through a variety of habitats: a 300-foot-long boardwalk which crosses the swamp to a wooded area, a traprock ridge, and meadow areas. Please stay on the gravel paths. Here, as in all natural areas, plants, rocks and animals should be left undisturbed for all to observe and enjoy. Children must be supervised at all times. No food, drinks or pets are permitted on the nature trails. Time: Allow fifteen minutes to one hour.
TRACK CASTING The Casting Area is open from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., May 1 through October 31, when the park is open. An outdoor (unsheltered) area is available for making casts of real dinosaur tracks. This is a fun but sometimes messy activity. Visitors must bring their own materials: 10 pounds of plaster-of-Paris, 1/4 cup cooking oil, a 5-gallon plastic bucket, cloth rags and paper towels. Leaders should be prepared to direct their groups in this project by following posted instructions. We request that all groups make just one cast.
*Casting should be done after visiting the Exhibit Center. If you wish to return after casting, all plaster and sand must be removed from hands, feet and clothes while in the track-casting area before entering the Exhibit Center.
*Please do not bring casting materials or completed casts into the Exhibit Center.
*Please sweep off the track and put away casting materials when you are done. Time: Allow 1/2 hour to 45 minutes to make the cast. Please remain with the cast until dry. Please Note: It is extremely difficult to make a cast properly during rainy weather. If it is raining, we recommend that your group forgo this activity.
MINING FOR GEMS AND FOSSILS An outdoor mining sluice is availble for "mining" gems and fosssils. Purchase bags of mining rough from the bookshop (an additional fee applies: $5.50 - $9 per bag). The sluice can accommodate approximately 6 sudents at one time, and "mining" each bag takes about 10 minutes. Bags may be shared by up to 3 - 4 people. The sluice is open from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., May 1 through October 31, except during rainy weather.
PICNICKING No food is available for purchase at the Park. Picnic tables (unsheltered) are available outside for use by all groups and visitors. Mandatory recycling has been implemented in Connecticut State Parks. Please place bottles and cans in the labeled receptacle. Please dispose of all litter properly. The park cannot provide indoor lunchroom facilities under any circumstances.
DIRECTIONS AND HOURS Take Exit 23 (West Street, Rocky Hill) off Interstate 91. The Park is located one mile east of the exit. Beginning October 11, 2016, Exhibit Center hours are Thursday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The park is closed Mondays.
PARKING Free parking is available. Groups arriving in buses should be dropped off at arrival and picked up when leaving, at the Bus Shelter. Free bus parking is provided in a designated area (from the Bus Shelter, proceed straight, then left, to the far corner of the parking lot).
Thank you for your cooperation.
To contact the Park Office, call (860) 529-5816 or send an email: info@dinosaurstatepark.org.