Scouting at Mount Vernon

George Washington was a powerful leader and innovative entrepreneur – and left a legacy of character and leadership that all scouts can gain inspiration from! Mount Vernon offers a variety of opportunities for boy and girl scouts to explore the past and increase their understanding of America’s first and greatest president!

Scouting Days – November 1, 2012 – February 15, 2013
All children that are Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and Camp Fire Club members, in uniform or wearing an official pin, are admitted FREE to the estate. Two leaders from each group will receive a discounted admission rate of $8. Additional adults accompanying scouts will be charged the regular $17 admission fee.  

During this time period the Pioneer Farm will not be staffed, however, we invite your troops to tour the Mansion, lay a wreath at the General’s Tomb (must be reserved in advance by contacting our Reservations Office at 703-799-8688 or groups@mountvernon.org), and explore our state-of-the-art galleries and theaters in the Donald W. Reynolds Museum and Education Center.

Mount Vernon Resources

• Mount Vernon Scouting Booklet
  Use the Mount Vernon Scouting Booklet to guide your group around the Estate and learn more about George Washington.
• Adventure Map
  Use the Adventure Map to engage younger scouts in a fun scavenger hunt around Mount Vernon – and earn a small prize for figuring out all the clues! This map can also be used to fulfill Tiger Cub requirement 1G (Making my Family Special – Go See It) [Also available in the Ford Orientation Center].

Mount Vernon Patches and Pins

The following patches and pins can be purchased at the Shops at Mount Vernon. Activity instructions are included in the free Scouting Booklet:

• Mount Vernon Historic Trail Patch
  Earn this merit patch by exploring an educational trail that winds its way through the entire Mount Vernon estate. This journey includes stops at the Mansion, outbuildings, Slave Quarters, and the General's Tomb. The Mount Vernon Scouting Booklet (available above and at the Ford Orientation Center) challenges scouts with questions and stops along the route - finish the trail and become an expert on George Washington!

• George Washington: Pioneer Farmer Patch
  Scouts learn about the challenges and innovations crucial to George Washington’s success in agriculture through a visit to Mount Vernon’s Pioneer Farm site to earn this patch. Visit livestock, learn about crop rotation, and see a working reconstruction of Washington's 16-sided wheat-treading barn! The Pioneer Farm is staffed with costumed interpreters from April – October.

• Mount Vernon Surveying Patch
  Follow the steps that young George Washington took as he learned how to survey the Virginia frontier and map his estate. Survey the five-sided plot marked by low wooden posts on the South Lawn (near the Dung Repository) to earn this patch. (Troops must bring their own surveying equipment and facilitate the activity on their own)

• George Washington Reading Pin
  Read a biography from the official Mount Vernon Scout reading list to earn this handsome pin.

• George Washington Tomb Pin
  Pay tribute to George Washington by conducting a memorable wreathlaying ceremony at his tomb. Please see Mount Vernon's Wreathlaying Ceremony Policy for details.

• Mount Vernon Surveying Pin
  Earn this activity pin by completing an advanced surveying exercise at Mount Vernon. (Troops must bring their own surveying equipment and facilitate the activity on their own)

For ticketing questions please contact Mount Vernon’s Reservations Office at 703-799-8688 or groups@mountvernon.org.

For scheduling and programming questions: Ask Mount Vernon.