Youth Group Events

Youth groups, including out-of-school programs, community programs, and religious or secular programs serving children are invited to visit the National Building Museum during our scout days or family festivals, or to attend a family program. A visit to the Museum teaches children about architecture, building, urban planning, engineering, how to recognize and solve design problems, and how to "read" the buildings around them.

Event	Event Type	Date	Time	Cost	Registration?
National Cherry Blossom Festival	Family Festival	Saturday, March 27, 2010	Family Day: 10:00 AM-3:30 PM Opening Ceremony: 4:00-5:00 PM	FREE	Walk-in
Girl Scout Day Session 1 Girl Scout Day Session 2	Scout Activity Day	Saturday, April 17, 2010	Session 1: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM Session 2: 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM	Price for Scouts $12, FREE for Adults	Online prepaid registration required. Walk-in registration based on availability.
Festival of the Building Arts	Family Festival	Saturday, October 10, 2009	10:00 AM-4:30 PM	FREE	Online registration required. Check in at Scout Table.
Cub Scout Day	Scout Activity Day	Next date TBD	Session 1: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM Session 2: 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM	Price for Scouts $12, FREE for Adults	Online prepaid registration required. Walk-in registration based on availability.
Model Airplane Workshop: Construct your own rubber-band-propelled model airplane with the DC Maxecuters, then try a test flight in the Great Hall.	Family Program	Next date TBD	9:00 - 11:00 AM	Fee for Non-member Scouts Fee for Member Scouts FREE for Adults	Online prepaid registration required. For ages 8 and up and Webelos Cub Scouts
Discover Engineering Family Day	Family Festival	February 2011	10:00 AM-4:30 PM	FREE	Online registration required. Check in at Scout Table.
Arches and Trusses	Custom Discovery Cart	Scheduled on request	Scheduled on request	$50 for 10-50 participants	Submit online request form.
Bridging the Gap	Custom Discovery Cart	Scheduled on request	Scheduled on request	$50 for 10-50 participants	Submit online request form.

An Explanation of "Event Types"

A young girl receives instruction on hammering at the Miller & Long nail driving competition held during the Festival of the Building Arts.

© Peter Cutts

Scout Activity Days are designed specifically for Daisy, Brownie, and Junior Girl Scouts or Tiger, Wolf, Bear, and Webelos Cub Scouts. Members of organized youth groups are welcome to attend as well. Attendance is limited to 300 children per session, plus their parents and group leaders. Each day includes a morning and an afternoon session. Online prepaid registration for any children over the age of 6 is required by the Thursday prior to the event. Adults are FREE. Walk-in day-of registration is based on availability. More information and the activities offered during 2010's Scout Days will be available soon.

Family Festivals are FREE for all and filled with hands-on activities and demonstrations. Festivals are designed for families (not specifically for scouts or youth groups) and are most appropriate for ages 5-13. Please note that attendance at festivals is often several thousand people. Registration is not required.

Family Programs are two-hour workshops led by Museum staff or special guests. Workshops are usually limited to 30 child participants and focus on creating or building one project. These programs are open to all area families, including scout groups. For additional family programs, please visit the Families & Kids section. Please keep in mind each workshop's age restrictions.

Custom Discovery Carts are 30 minute hands-on activities led by Museum docents. Discover your inner engineer with these private programs designed for youth groups, elementary school classes, and scouts! Most appropriate for ages 5 and up. Fees apply. For a more complete description of the two different cart activities visit the Custom Tours section.

Questions? Contact the Associate School and Youth Groups Coordinator by email at youthgroups@nbm.org or call 202.272.2448, ext. 3450.