NATURE
Scouts analyze an animal skull | 
Scouts watering plantsl | 
An Environmental Science Merit
Badge class.
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The Wiatava Nature Center is located right in the middle of Lost Valley, to serve Scouts from both camps. The Nature Center is full of resources to help Scouts learn about nature and how we interact with it. Merit Badges offered at the Nature Center include:
- Astronomy
- Environmental Science
- Fish and Wildlife Management
- Forestry
- Geology
- Mammal Study
- Nature
- Reptile and Amphibian Study
- Soil and Water Conservation
- Weather
Astronomy - The Merit Badge class is taught at the Wiatava Nature Center, with overnighters at The Bemies Observatory. During the Astronomy Overnighter, Scouts will do their observations for Requirement 9 (Scouts must attend one overnighter). The Overnighters will be offered Tuesday and Thursday nights and will meet at the Nature Center at 8:30 PM. Overnighters are limited to Merit Badge participants only.
The Bemies Observatory is one of the best equipped observatories available to Scouts. It includes two large telescopes and a number of binoculars to aid in observing the nighttime sky. Lost Valley's wilderness location and proximity to Mt. Palomar Observatory offers some of the best observing skies in Southern California. We recommend bringing a red light flashlight or headlamp to help during the observation time.
'See Director' Merit Badge Classes: The 'See Director' Merit Badges at the Nature Center are self-paced courses with a Nature Staff member guiding Scouts through the Merit Badge. It is best for Scouts that wish to participate in 'See Director' Merit Badges to meet with the Director early in the week to set up their schedule for the particular Merit Badge. Some Merit Badges may take a full week to complete.
Chaparral Country: An explanation of the Lost Valley ecosystem.
Birding Lost Valley: A description of the birds of Lost Valley
The Rocks and Minerals of Lost Valley: A description of the geology of Lost Valley