Scout Days

Scroll to the bottom of this page for a list of planned Scout Days, or visit https://ticketing.easternstate.org/events to see which Scout Days are currently on sale.

You can also email [email protected] to be added to our mailing list for updates.

Tickets / online passes typically go on sale approximately 2 months prior to each event. Email us at [email protected] if you'd like to receive updates by email.

For the most current event information, visit https://ticketing.easternstate.org/events.

For In-Person Scout Day, each scout, youth, or adult in attendance must purchase a separate ticket. For Virtual Scout Day, each participating scout or youth must purchase a separate online pass.

Yes! While Scout Days are designed with Scouting America and Girl Scouts of the USA badge requirements in mind, this program was also designed to be fun, engaging, and educational for all youth. All are welcome to attend Scout Day!

Scout Day is recommended for children between the ages of 7-18.

In-Person Scout Day:

You can plan on being at Eastern State Penitentiary for about two hours. Timed entry windows begin at 10:00 am and end at 3:00 pm. The Scout Day program will conclude 4:30 pm. The historic site closes at 5:00 pm.

Virtual Scout Day:

This is a one-day program from 11:00 am to 2:15 pm ET. Learn more about the programming here. The day will be comprised of several sessions lasting 30-60 minutes each. There will be a 30-minute break for lunch midday.

In-Person Scout Day:

When you arrive at Eastern State, you’ll receive a packet that includes questions, reflections, and activities to complete as you move throughout the day.

First, you'll take our self-guided "The Voices of Eastern State" Audio Tour. An mp3 player and headphones will guide you through the penitentiary complex and give an overview of Eastern State's history.

Next, you'll...

• listen to three additional audio stops,
• explore our exhibits The Big Graph and Prisons Today,
• and engage with staff at three different activity stations.
  • Activity Station 1: Prison Architecture Matching Game — This two-part matching game will introduce participants to five different prison designs and encourage them to examine the role architecture plays in our prison system.
  • Activity Station 2: Eastern State Rocks! — Eastern State Penitentiary is famous for its massive stone walls and towering cellblocks. In this hands-on activity, participants will learn about the geology of Eastern State’s most common building materials.
  • Activity Station 3: Eastern State Lego Contest — Eastern State’s radial plan influenced prison architecture around the world. Using a 37-piece Lego kit, participants will compete in a time trial to build a simple Eastern State replica.

At the end of the day, participating members of Scouting America should bring their packet to an Eastern State merit badge counselor who will approve the packet and provide a Blue Card, which scouts can turn in to their troop leader. Members of Girl Scouts of the USA should self-report their completed packet to their troop leader.

Virtual Scout Day:

Below is the schedule for virtual Scout Days. All times listed in ET.

• 11:00 am – 11:45 am - Let the Doors Be of Iron: A Virtual Tour of Eastern State Penitentiary
• 11:45 am – 12:15 pm - ”A Model for the World”: The Ethics and Influence of Prison Architecture
• 12:15 pm – 12:45 pm - Lunch Break
• 12:45 pm – 1:45 pm - Building a Prison, Saving a Landmark
• 1:45 pm – 2:15 pm - Architecture and Historic Preservation Career Panel

Yes! For In-Person Scout Day, each scout, youth, or adult in attendance must purchase a separate ticket. For Virtual Scout Day, each participating scout or youth must purchase a separate online pass.

GSUSA Scouts:

GSUSA scouts can use the confirmation email to self-report completion of the requirements for the STEM Career Exploration badge to their troop leader.

To finish the Think Like an Engineer Journey, scouts must also complete three hands-on design challenges independently. Examples of appropriate hands-on challenges based on scout level can be found here. It is the responsibility of the scout to complete and report these activities to their troop leader. 

Scouting America Scouts:

Scouting America scouts will receive a prefilled blue card with their confirmation email; however, they must complete requirements 1a and 4 on their own to qualify for their Architecture Merit Badge:

• Requirement 1a: Tour your community and list the different types of buildings you see. Try to identify buildings that can be associated with a specific period of history or style of architecture. Make a sketch of the building you most admire.
• Requirement 4: Measure a room such as one where you live or where your troop meets. Make an accurately scaled drawing of the room’s floor plan showing walls, doors, closets, windows, and any built-in furniture or cabinets. Neatly label your drawing with the following: your name, the date, what room you drew, and the scale of the drawing. (Drawing scale: 1⁄4 inch = 1 foot)

These requirements can be completed before or after Virtual Scout Day at Eastern State. It is the responsibility of the scout to review their building sketch and scale drawing with their troop leader before submitting their blue card for the Architecture Merit Badge. The blue card will have requirements 1a and 4 prefilled for convenience.

Yes! As long as scouts attend all sessions, and complete any additional requirements listed above, they will receive full credit for completing their respective badge or journey.

All Scout Day tickets or passes are valid for a specific date and time. All sales are final. There are no refunds or exchanges, including for unused or partially used tickets.

In-Person Scout Day runs rain or shine.

We strive to make the penitentiary and our site, programs, and exhibits accessible to all visitors. Click here to learn more about accessibility at ESPHS.

If you have additional questions, please email us at [email protected] for assistance.