Scout Programs
The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum provides fun and engaging learning experiences for scouts. Individual scouts and troops can visit in-person to earn a patch or merit badge. The Museum also has suggested patch challenges for additional fun.
Programs
A variety of options are available for scout troop visits to the Museum depending on the size of the group, age of the scouts, and day of the visit.
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Museum Tours
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Scout troops may self-guide through the Museum or request a guided tour. Visits can be arranged any day of the week during Museum hours, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Guided tours may be arranged for troops with ten or more scouts, pending availability.
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Participate in an Educational Program
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Scouts are encouraged to participate in an educational program as part of their visit. Interactive youth and family programs take place in the Taylor Swift Education Center most weekends. Scout troops (minimum of 10 youth participants) are also able to book a private program. Program offerings include songwriting, art-making, and music-making programs.
- Guided Highlights Tour: Learn about the history of country music by exploring the Museum’s architectural details, music, films, visual art, and historic artifacts through a guided tour. All ages.
- Listening Technology Over Time: Explore the gamut of listening technologies—from the record player to the MP3 player—in this collaborative, interactive program. Scouts are challenged to think critically as they make observations, compare and contrast, and eventually discover how and why these technologies have changed over time. Recommended for ages 8-13.
- Songwriting 101: Learn songwriting fundamentals, including the basics of song form, rhyme scheme, and meter, and secrets behind the creative process. Working with guidance from a professional songwriter, scouts will analyze a song, then write original lyrics and advise on musical components. All ages.
- Dazzling Designs: Scouts focus on stage costumes, accessories, and instrument designs from the Museum’s collection and learn about different eras in American and country music history. Scouts are also encouraged to reflect on their own expressions through color, pattern, and symbolism. Recommended for ages 6-10.
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Additional Tour Opportunities
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Tours are available upon request, pending availability. A minimum of ten people is required for group discount admission.
- Hatch Show Print: Explore Hatch Show Print and learn all about the iconic poster shop. Guides share the letterpress printing process from initial sketches to the final pass through the press. The program culminates in an original, limited-edition poster hand-inked and printed by scouts. Recommended ages 10-18.
- Historic RCA Studio B: Conducted at Historic RCA Studio B, this program shares the history of the studio and the songs recorded there by artists like Dolly Parton, Elvis Presley, and Charlie Pride. Recommended ages 10-18.
Preparing Your Troop
We recommend talking with your troop in advance of your trip about the following topics:
Discuss what museums are like and the function they serve. What museums are in your community? What museums have your scouts visited? What did your scouts learn on these visits?
You may want to cover appropriate dress (it can be cold in museums!), walking through the galleries, what to do if the museum is busy, and staying together with your group. Explain that flash photography, videotaping, food, and drink are not allowed in the galleries to protect the artifacts and exhibit materials.
If your troop is working toward achieving a patch or merit badge, discuss a plan in advance. Encourage scouts to bring a pencil, notebook, or sketchpad to record the fun and interesting things they will see and hear during their visit. Scouts are welcome to take photos (no flash) and post to social media about their visit. Tag the Museum’s Instagram at @countrymusichof.
- The Taylor Swift Education Center on the third floor features hands-on workshops for youth and family audiences and offers activities like scavenger hunts and gallery guides. Check the calendar for scheduled art or music programs that may be happening during your visit.
- The third-floor main exhibit,Sing Me Back Home, features interactive learning stations, videos, and listening experiences throughout the gallery. Coloring and activity sheets are available at the table across from the Precious Jewel
- On the second floor, theAmerican Currents: State of the Music highlights the latest chapter in country music and features artifacts and stories from contemporary artists. Additionally, troops are encouraged to visit the Taylor Swift Education Center | Interactive Recording Experience and step inside one of four recording booths and choose from four iconic songs to record in real-time.
- If you have questions during your visit, please ask a staff member, volunteer, security guard, or any person wearing a Museum logo; all of these people are happy to help.
- We strive to make the Museum inclusive The Museum is a KultureCity-certified Sensory Inclusive® location and provides sensory bags and other simple modifications to help create an accepting and inclusive environment for everyone.
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Scout Patch
The Museum has a scout patch! These can be added to your order for $1.00 each or purchased at the Museum’s information desk on the first floor.
Troop leaders can determine how the patch is earned based on the needs of their troop and can create their own patch challenge or use the ideas provided below.
Optional Museum-Visit Patch Challenges:
- Participate in an educational program
- Complete a scavenger hunt
- Schedule a guided tour of Hatch Show Print
- Schedule a guided tour of Historic RCA Studio B
- Record a song in the Taylor Swift Education Center | Interactive Recording Experience
