FIELD TRIP PROGRAMS AND SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS

Scouting, 4-H and Youth Group Programs

 
Genealogy Studies

Students learn the value and use of primary resources, such as census records, vital statistics, birth and death certificates and a host of other materials.  This workshop includes a short PowerPoint presentation that explains what exactly genealogy is, where to start looking for information, what types of information they can find, and where they can find it.  In addition, students are led in a discussion of researching blended families and non-relatives and the uses of genealogy in studying history.

 
Fun Patch for all scout groups:

The McLean County Museum of History has created its own fun patch, Scouting Out History, for troops to earn just for visiting the Museum and completing one of our guided field trip programs.

 Girl Scout Badge Projects- for Brownie and Junior troops, two hour and thirty minute sessions, most supplies provided.  Projects are designed to fulfill all badge requirements

 Careers

Juniors will create a career collage incorporating current hobbies with potential career choices, select and discuss want ads to identify skills needed for employment in their field of interest and role play as the interviewer and the employee, share a list of five ways computers are used at work, and brainstorm about common problems faced by workers and ways to sole them.  Bring a want ad and list of computer usage for each girl.

 Local Lore

Juniors earn this badge by visiting the Museum’s galleries and learning about important people of the county’s past, taking an architectural tour of downtown Bloomington and creating their own poster describing a past and future period in the community’s history.  Bring one 22” x 28” white poster board for each girl.

 Toy Maker

Juniors earn this badge by learning about toys through history, toy safety, making their own yarn dolls and designing an educational game.  Bring one skein of yarn for each girl.

 Yarn and Fabric Arts

Junior scouts will earn this badge by touring the Museum to learn about historic quilts, their meanings and purposes and how to identify them.  They will learn to sew embroidery stitches, tie knots for sewing and other purposes, and make their own blocks for an album quilt.  Bring one packet of embroidery floss for each girl.

 Careers

Brownies will learn about women pioneers of McLean County and the jobs they did, write an autobiography and connect their interests with images of a future career, play Career Charades and create a list of jobs of the future that don’t exist today.  Bring magazines that have pictures of people doing jobs to cut up.

 Listening to the Past

Brownies visit the Museum to learn about stories in our community’s past, take a walking tour of downtown Bloomington’s historic architecture, play a historic game called The Post, study famous women of the county and put on a skit about one of those women.

 Puppets, Dolls and Plays

Brownies earn their badges by learning about toys through history, making a paper bag puppet, making a puppet stage and putting on an original play about toy safety.  Bring a large box for the puppet state and one paper lunch bag for each girl.

 Stitch it Together

Brownies make a button collage, embroidery sampler of stitches, a wallpaper quilt block and use their new sewing skills to make a book out of their handiwork. Bring at least six buttons per girl, any shape or size.  Also, bring one skein of embroidery floss per girl.

 Girl Scouts:  Have another badge in mind?

Boy Scouts: Want to start a badge program here?  Call us to find out how we can fill your needs.

 Tours are available on some Tuesday evenings and Saturdays.  Special arrangements are made for other nights during the week. Call for details, 309-827-0428

Other Group Programs
Contact the Museum Education Department by phone at 309-827-0428 ,or by email at education@mchistory.org, and Museum Staff will work with you to create customized resources or experiences that meet your educational needs.