Scout Events & Programs
Join us for an evening of fun for scouts, prospective scouts, friends, and family! Scouts BSA members, Cub Scouts, and Girl Scouts will all have a great time during this all-new event. Not a scout? Come join us anyway! Local scouting representatives will be on hand to answer questions and to help you find a troop or pack near you if you are interested.
Spooky-ish Scout Family Fun Night at the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular:
Wednesday, October 18 from 4:30 – 7:00 pm
Join us for an evening of fun for scouts, prospective scouts, friends, and family! Scouts BSA members, Cub Scouts, and Girl Scouts will all have a great time during this special after-hours event. Not a scout? Join us anyway and visit the zoo after-hours for animal encounters, keeper chats and a Halloween dance party! Admission includes kid-friendly dinner buffet, access to Faces of the Rainforest, World of Adaptations, the Farmyard and other specially illuminated zoo exhibits! Attendees will also skip the line as they receive V.I.P. access to the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular!
Local scouting representatives will also be on hand to answer questions and to help you find a troop or pack near you if you are interested.
Tickets must be purchased in advance. Walk-in tickets will not be available. Visitors should expect travel delays, especially after 6pm. Please plan accordingly. Visitors are strongly encouraged to check-in between 4:30pm – 5:45pm for the quickest and easiest entry.
Looking for more opportunities for Girl Scouts and Scouts BSA? Take a look at our Snore and Roar Overnights program to experience the Zoo after dark! Or check out our Programs at the Zoo page where we have a wide variety of field trip programs tailored to each grade and age group. You can even have the zoo come to you with our Zoomobile Programs!”
Scout Night FAQs
The following exhibits will be open for this event: Faces of the Rainforest, FarmYard (including contact yard), World of Adaptations, and Marco Polo’s Adventure Trek. Animals will have access to their outdoor habitats but will have free choice to be inside or outside and not all animals may be visible at any given time. Some unlit portions of the zoo may close at dark for the safety of our attendees.
Most Scouts can earn recognition requirements by participating in a service project. Add that to your Scout Family Fun Night at JOLS by collecting items from our Zookeeper’s Enrichment Wishlist. These items will be used by our animal care team to keep our animals healthy and active as they investigate new smells and practice natural foraging behaviors! Just bring these with you to the event and leave them at the donation station at check-in.
Yes! Keep in mind that 1 paid adult will be required for every 4 children at the event. The person completing the registration will be responsible for ensuring each person receives one ticket to be scanned upon entry prior to the event. DO NOT JUST FORWARD ALL OF THE TICKETS IN AN EMAIL TO YOUR ENTIRE GROUP! This will cause a significant delay in checking in your group. Please print/cut the tickets and distribute to your group before queuing for the event. All group leaders/parents are responsible for their own participants and should remain together throughout the event. We strongly encourage parents to join their scouts as siblings are also welcome!
The keeper chat locations and times will be marked with signs throughout the event. These will be based on keeper and animal availability and cannot be published ahead of the event.
You can still come! Some of your friends may be scouts and if not, maybe they will be soon! Either way, this not so spooky event is a seasonal event is sure to delight!
Each participant will receive one meal ticket at check-in. This may be redeemed for a hot dog, chips and beverage at 401 Nourish Café. Meals will be available beginning at 5:30pm. We are unable to accommodate special dietary needs, requests or substitutions for this event, please bring alternative snacks.
There will be food, snacks, and Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular merchandise available to purchase after you complete the trail.
This special event begins admitting guests at 4:30pm, but attendees should note that the actual Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular Trail, does not open until 6:00pm. Guests may NOT leave the event space, until the show opens, and all guests will exit via the Jack-O-Lantern Trail.