Leaders prepare and lead the activities or secure services of a non-park specialist to present their program. We have almost 5 miles of hiking trails, dozens of picnic tables, an Open Play Field, and an Environmental Education Center with permanent exhibits on water, environmental issues, and Piedmont habitat types for you to use. No staff-led services or materials are included with this option.

This includes in-park use of reserved Discovery Boxes at no charge. Boxes include written activity instructions plus necessary equipment. Some boxes are simple enough to use with no advance preparation; other boxes are more complex and leaders may wish to study the boxes in advance by making an appointment with the Blue Jay staff. No staff-led program services are included in this option. Reservation of materials is required and can be used here in the park between the hours of 8 a.m.–4:45 p.m., Monday–Saturday.

Themed programs especially for Scout groups are available on selected Saturdays during the school year. Some programs are "requirement-oriented," while others are "background-oriented," enabling Scouts to continue work on their own. There is no fee for these programs but pre-registration is required.

Scout Saturdays will be available to register on July 1, 2023, for the 2023–2024 offerings. Mark your calendar to sign up for this coming year!

The link to our current offering for this years' Scout Saturdays 2023-2024

These programs are for scout groups with up to 15 scouts (not including scout leaders/chaperones).

To get more information, questions or book a Scout Saturday program call us at 919-870-4330 or email bluejaypoint@wake.gov.

Many of you are already familiar with the Blue Jay Overnight Lodge, an environmental education overnight facility. If you have a Lodge reservation for this school year, consider inviting an older or younger Scout group to partner with you (the Lodge sleeps 36). Not only does that share expenses, but mentoring is a very important part of Scouting philosophy. If you aren’t familiar with the Overnight Lodge, you can learn more about it HERE.

Remember: Reservations can be made on a rolling reservation basis up to a year in advance (e.g., February 2024 was open for reservation on February 1, 2023), so call early to get your desired date!

Winter Open House (every other year)

The Blue Jay Center for Environmental Education's Winter Open House will next take place on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024. During the Winter Open House, families, groups and individuals come to see our permanent exhibits and temporary displays, participate in hands-on opportunities and do fun crafts. We have openings for several older Scout groups to host "hands-on" tables and be event staff. Call 919-870-4330 or email Blue Jay Point to indicate your group's interest.

Songbird Celebration

Blue Jay's banner event, Songbird Celebration, will take place on Saturday, April 27, 2024. Songbird Celebration is a free festival that includes myriad classes, crafts, games and hikes, all related to birds. Scouts can participate in several ways. First, you can bring your group out for the day and take part in the educational festivities. Preregistration is required for some activities, but the craft tables and games are walkup. This choice is especially appropriate for younger Scout groups.

Second, you can volunteer your group's time to staff craft tables or to run school carnival-type, bird-related games. This is especially appropriate for older Scout groups (you could even design your own game or craft). Most of our older Scout groups enjoy arriving about 10 a.m. and departing about 4 p.m. having helped half the day and participated in crafts, classes and hikes for the other half of the day. Call 919-870-4330 or email Blue Jay Point to indicate your group's interest, and we'll contact you at a later date and arrange your group's personal itinerary for Songbird Celebration.

Big Sweep

This statewide shoreline litter pickup takes place annually in October on the 1st Saturday from 9 a.m.–noon (check Programs & Events, Major Events tab for more info/date). Your group's community service work would have the double benefit of protecting wildlife and Raleigh's drinking water supply. You will be provided with work gloves and trash bags. Scouts should wear long pants and closed-toe shoes. Sunscreen, bug spray and a hat are a plus. Call 919-870-4330 after August 1, 2024 to register your group for the October Big Sweep.

Your group can also participate in a Big Sweep-style litter pickup at Blue Jay at other times of the year at your convenience and when lake conditions allow. Register your group to spend an hour (or more!) cleaning up the Falls Lake shoreline adjacent to Blue Jay Point County Park. Email us!

Night Owls & Candle Magic (every other year)

The event that brings the night owls out to experience the magic of a stroll along our luminaria-lined trail as folks learn about the late fall seasonal activities of local owls. This event takes place the weekend before Thanksgiving, which will be Saturday, November 23, 2024. We have openings for several older Scout groups to host "hands-on" tables, trail guides and be event staff. Call 919-870-4330 or email Blue Jay Point to indicate your group's interest.

Eagle Scouts

Over the years, many Eagle Scout candidates have chosen to complete their Eagle Award Project at Blue Jay Point County Park. Occasionally, the park staff has specific projects that would satisfy the requirements. Scouts are encouraged to submit their own ideas. To find out more information regarding Eagle Scout opportunities, prospective Eagle Scouts should contact Adam Wood at 919-870-4322 or Adam.Wood@wake.gov.