I was recently asked to give a presentation on some ideas for where in Austin new Tiger den leaders could take their den to meet the Tiger scout "Go See It" requirements.
There are so many awesome places to take a den of seven and eight year olds here in Austin, it was hard to pick my favorites, but here are some suggestions:
Next Page: Planning a Go See It
1: Making My Family Special
2: Where I live
3: Keeping Myself Healthy and Safe
4: How I Tell It
5: Let's Go Outdoors
If you have a great idea to add, please feel free to leave a comment below or to email Annemarie at bloggeradmin@austintop50.com
1 ●●● Making My Family Special
Go to a library, historical society, museum, old farm, or historical building, or visit an older person in your community. Discover how family life was the same and how it was different many years ago.
Bullock Texas State History Museum
1800 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 936-8746
Museum: $8 Youth, $12 adult, Movies are extra
One of Austin's newest museums, the Bullock opened in 2001. Learn everything you might want to know about Texas History, enjoy the special effects at the Texas Spirit Theater, or watch an IMAX production.
More details
Pioneer Farms
10621 Pioneer Farms Dr, Austin, TX 78754
(512) 837-1215
Admission: $6 Youth, $8 adults
Located in North Austin, the farm has five themed historic areas to explore: an 1840s Tonkawa Encampment, an 1860s German Immigrant Farm, an 1870s Texan Farm, an 1880s Cotton Planters Farm and an 1890s Sprinkle Corner rural village. They have many scheduled activities, so check out their calendar.
Sauer Beckmann Living History Farm
501 State Park Road 52, Stonewall, TX 78671
(830) 644-2455
No Admission Fee
Located about 50 miles west of Austin, Sauer Beckmann Farm is a living history farm located in the LBJ State Park. Costumed interpreters carry out the day-to-day activities of a turn-of-the-century Texas-German farm family.
Visit the Capitol
1100 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 463-0063
Admission: Free
Spend a morning or afternoon visiting the Capitol. Start at the Texas Capitol Visitors Center, a free museum that has a lot of interactive exhibits, to learn more about the history and building of our Capitol. Then head over to the Capitol for a free 45 minute tour. Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy on the Capitol grounds under the huge pecan trees.
LBJ Presidential Library and Museum
2313 Red River St, Austin, TX 78705
(512) 721-0200
Admission: Children: $3, Adults: $8
This museum, also located on the UT Campus, has recently been renovated. Interactive exhibits give a complete look at the life and times of this famous president!
Tour the University of Texas Tower
2247 Guadalupe St, Austin, TX 78712
(512) 475-6633
Admission: $6 per person
A 45 minute-long self-guided tour of the UT Tower escorted by UT student guides.
Patrons will ride an elevator to the 27th floor of the Tower, then take three short flights of stairs to the observation deck.
An auxiliary elevator is available to guests with restricted mobility.
More details
Day Trip to Brenham and Washington on the Brazos
23400 Park Road, Washington, TX 77880
(936) 878-2214
Admission: Entry is free;
Historical Complex Tour: Adults: $9, Youth: $6 Includes Independence hall, the Museum and Barrington Living History Farm
This is a two hour drive from Austin, but if you are looking for a really fun day trip to take your dean on, this can't be beat!
The Washington on the Brazos state park is devoted to informing visitors about the signing of the Texas Declaration of Independence. On site, there are a number of attractions, some are free, some are not. There is a visitor’s center, with a large walk-through display of Texas history.
Blue Bell Ice Cream Factory Tour
As a super big plus to heading out to Washington-on-the Brazos, the Blue Bell Ice Cream Factory is located right around the corner! After you finish with the park, take the kids for an hour long tour, finishing up with a scoop of ice cream.
Next Page: Where I live
2 ●●● Where I Live
Visit a police station or a fire station. Ask someone who works there how he or she helps people in your community.
Fire Department
The Austin Fire Department is very open and encouraging to the visit of scout dens. In order to schedule a visit, please contact the fire house directly. In order to schedule your tour, you will need to talk to the officer who will be on duty the day you wish to attend. Since the shifts are usually held on a three day rotation, try calling three, six, nine or 12 days before you wish to visit - that way you have a greater chance of getting the officer who will be on duty on the day you wish to visit.
Please note: these phone numbers are for scheduling tours only. If you have an emergency, PLEASE contact 911 and do not call the numbers below!
| Station 1 EMS | 401 East 5th St | 974-0001 |
| Station 2 BC 1 | 506 W. MLK Blvd | 974-0002 |
| Station 3 | 201 W. 30th St | 478-2001 |
| Station 4 | 1000 Blanco St | 974-0004 |
| Station 5 EMS | 1201 Webberville Rd | 974-0005 |
| Station 6 | 1705 S. Congress Ave | 974-0006 |
| Station 7 | 201 Chicon | 477-6939 |
| Station 8 EMS BC 3 | 8989 Research Blvd | 974-0008 |
| Station 9 | 4301 Speedway | 453-3406 |
| Station 10 | 3009 Windsor Rd | 478-2013 |
| Station 11 | 1605 Kinney Ave | 974-0011 |
| Station 12 | 2109 Hancock Dr | 453-4149 |
| Station 14 BC 6 | 4305 Airport Blvd | 974-0014 |
| Station 15 | 829 Airport Blvd | 385-0928 |
| Station 16 | 7000 Reese Ln | 453-7954 |
| Station 17 BC 4 | 4128 S. 1st St | 974-0017 |
| Station 18 EMS | 6311 Berkman | 928-0311 |
| Station 19 EMS | 5211 Balcones Dr | 452-5484 |
| Station 20 EMS | 6601 Manchaca Rd | 974-0020 |
| Station 21 | 4201 Spicewood Springs | 345-5763 |
| Station 22 EMS | 5309 E. Riverside Dr | 974-0022 |
| Station 23 EMS | 1330 E. Rundberg Ln | 836-7246 |
| Station 24 | 5811 Nuckles Crossing Rd | 974-0024 |
| Station 25 EMS | 5228 Duval Rd | 346-4144 |
| Station 26 | 6702 Wentworth | 926-9399 |
| Station 27 EMS | 5401 McCarty Ln | 892-3590 |
| Station 28h | 2410 W. Parmer Ln | 974-0028 |
| Station 29 | 3704 Deer Ln | 974-0029 |
| Station 30 EMS | 1021 W. Braker Ln | 832-5657 |
| Station 31 | 5507 FM 2222 | 338-4899 |
| Station 32 | 2804 Montebello Rd | 328-3204 |
| Station 33 | 9409 Bluegrass Dr | 343-6386 |
| Station 34 EMS | 10041 Lake Creek Pkwy | 974-0034 |
| Station 35 BC 5 | 5500 Burleson Rd | 974-0035 |
| Station 36 EMS | 400 Ralph Ablanedo | 974-0036 |
| Station 37 | 8660 State Hwy 71 West | 288-1576 |
| Station 38 EMS | 10111 Anderson Mill Rd | 974-0038 |
| Station 39 EMS | 7701 River Place Blvd | 974-0039 |
| Station 40 EMS | 12711 Harrisglenn Dr | 974-0040 |
| Station 41 EMS | 11205 Harris Branch Pkwy | 974-0041 |
| Station 42 EMS | 2434 Cardinal Loop | 974-0042 |
| Station 43 EMS | 11401 Escarpment Blvd | 974-0043 |
| Station 44 EMS BC 2 | 11612 Four Iron Dr | 974-0044 |
| Station 45 | 9421 Spectrum | 974-0045 |
Police Station
I contacted the central Austin Police Department and she informed me that they don't give tours of their main facility. Apparently it is just a bunch of cubicles, and wouldn't really hold the interest of cub scouts :o)
However, APD does have District Representatives that work as a liason between the police department and the community. She suggested calling your local APD District Representatives. Some of them may be able to give a tour of their local precinct, and some may be willing to come out to your den to give a talk. Below are the main contact numbers for each of the District Representatives:
Please note: these phone numbers are for scheduling tours only. If you have an emergency, PLEASE contact 911 and do not call the numbers below!
Central West: (512) 974-5340
North Central: (512) 974-5722
Downtown: (512)-974-3822
Northwest: (512)-974-5598
Northeast: (512)-974-5598
Central East: (512) 974-8106
South Central: (512) 974-5902
Southwest: (512) 974-8100
Southeast: (512)-974-8100
3 ●●● Keeping Myself Healthy and Safe
Learn the rules of a game or sport. Then, go watch an amateur or professional game or sporting event.
High school football games
Cost $7 - $8 per person
A great way to meet this requirement is to have your den go to a local football game. There is nothing like the energy of high school football, the cost is inexpensive, and there are lots of games to choose from... there is sure to be one near to where your den meets!
There are lots of different football games to pick from. Below is the 2014 Austin High Schedule, just as an example!
9/19 7:30pm Austin High vs Westlake at Austin High School
9/25 7:30pm Austin High vs Bowie at Bowie High School
10/03 7:30pm Austin High vs Akins at Austin High School
10/10 7:30pm Austin High vs Hays at Hays High in Buda
10/17 7:30pm Austin High vs Lake Travis at Austin High School
Aussies Sand Volleyball
306 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 480-0952
If you are looking for a less "traditional" sport, maybe you could try volleyball! I must admit, I haven't been to a game here, but a friend of mine recently told me she went here to watch a game. Admission is free, though you'll probably want to pick up something to eat while watching.
Central Texas Speedway
24801 Interstate 35, Kyle, TX 78640
(512) 268-1114
Car Racing is considered a sport. Our family went to the Central Texas Speedway this summer, and had a really great time. The Speedway was very good at explaining the rules of auto racing (about which we knew nothing) and during intermission, all of the drivers bring their cars onto the track, and spectators are allowed to mingle.
Texas Stars Ice Hockey
Cedar Park Center
2100 Avenue of the Stars, Cedar Park, TX 78613
Cost: $20 - $80 per person
Sunday Oct 5th at 3pm
Saturday Oct 11th at7pm
Saturday Oct 18th at 7pm
Saturday Oct 25th at 7pm
4 ●●● How I Tell It
Visit a television station, radio station, or newspaper office. Find out how people there communicate with others.
KUT Studio Tour
300 W Dean Keeton St, Austin, TX 78712
(512)471-1631
Have a group of scouts who would like to visit KUT to fulfill a badge requirement? There is a 8-scout limit due to space restrictions, and we require at least one adult chaperone to accompany the children on the tour. Due to the high number of scout tour requests, a reservation is required.
Austin American Statesman Tour
305 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 445-3500
The Statesman offers free public tours of its building, but reservations are required and participants must be at least 8 years old.
Please note that the Statesman's building is currently in the middle of a renovation project and tours will not be available until later in 2014.
KXAN Studio Tour
908 W Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 476-3636
5 ●●● Let's Go Outdoors
Take a hike with your den.
Dinosaur Tracks in Leander
About a half mile west from the 183 bridge that crosses the South Fork of the San Gabriel River is a truly amazing sight! Approximately 12 (maybe 11) dinosaur footprints are embedded in the rock of the river bed.
There is something amazing about looking down and seeing a trail of dinosaur footprints that are over 100 million years old!
At this site there are no fences, no signs, nothing but a trail of prints on a dry riverbed.
Trail head details
Twin Falls and Sculpture Falls
This hike is minutes from downtown, and yet hiking along the Barton Creek Greenbelt, you feel like you are in the middle of nowhere!
Right now, the creek is mostly dry :o( but when it rains, it quickly fills up and provides a great swimming hole. However, even without the creek, it is still a nice hike!
Twin Falls is located about a half mile from the trail head, along a well-tended and downward heading trail.
About a mile past Twin Falls is Sculpture Falls. You will pass high limestone cliffs riddled with caves, huge, old live oaks, and a variety of wildlife!
More details
Mayfield Preserve
Many people are familiar with Mayfield park and its wonderful peacocks and manicured grounds. A definite place to visit and see.
But what many haven't discovered are the great hiking trails located at the back of the park!
There are two trails that lead off from the park.
The western trail leads down to a sliver of Lake Austin.The eastern trail leads to a small creek, with teeny tiny frogs small fish and more. The trail then leads over the creek to an upper area with small caves that are perfect for climbing into and around.
Hamilton Pool to Pedernales River
Hamilton Pool is a Travis County park located about a half hour southwest of Austin.
While Hamilton Pool is mostly known for its wonderful swimming hole, there is also a really nice hike on premise!
So, after hiking down the quarter mile down to the pool, check out the .6 mile hike out to the Pedernales River.
The hike takes you from the verdant pool area through more typical Texas landscape and then out onto the Pedernales River.
Bull Creek Greenbelt
The Bull Creek Greenbelt is a gem of a hike, located near 2222 and 360. The 3.5 mile hike has lots of small waterfalls, gorgeous wildflowers and all sorts of critters.
A short hike along the creek will take you to a less populated area, where dogs frequently roam free. With the drought the water isn't flowing as much, there is still water flowing through the creek.
Trailhead: Park in the parking lot for Bull Creek Park and head down to the creek. Cross the creek to get to the south side and you will see the trail start up. You can also hike along the creek bed, but you will have to haul yourself up some steep rocks to get past the waterfall above and back onto the trail. To continue on to the northern part of the hike, head back down to the creek after the second falls and continue under the Mopac bridge.
Goat Cave Karst Preserve
The Goat Cave Karst Preserve hike is very short (about .15 miles) but has three points of interest.
The first point of interest, located only steps down the path, is the Wade Sinkhole.
This is a four foot hole eroded out of the rock. Bring your flashlights and climb into the hole to check out the cave below the ledge!
The second point of interest is a bit further down the path - called Hideout. This one is only open to exploration by wildlife (and scouts don't count!)
The final cave, Goat Cave, is entirely blocked off by a chain link fence. You cannot even see the entrance to the cave. The cave opens into a 25 foot drop, so the fence is four our protection. But it does limit the interest!
The trailhead is located along the side of Deer Lane (off of Brodie).There is no special parking lot, so just park on the side of the road!
While this isn't really a historical building (it was built within the last ten years), it is a whole lot of fun to visit, and can bring up some really interesting conversations about what family life was like a ... long... time ago :o)
