Scout Patch Program

The Scout Patch Program is Winner of the Florida Festival and Events Association for 2006!
Best Community Partnership!

In Conjunction with the BROWARD COUNTY GIRL SCOUTS, 16th Century, Inc  proudly offers the "FLORIDA RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL PATCH PROGRAM"

This GSAC approved program is the only one of its kind in the nation. The goal of this interactive program is to teach the scouts about a time when life didn’t include electricity or grocery stores, let alone cell phones, computers or Nike sneakers. As part of our commitment to our community, scouts & leaders who participate are admitted FREE (minimum 6 scouts) to our Festival, making it affordable to all. Our program draws hundreds of scouts from all over Florida and as far as New York.

Once inside the gates, the scouts spend the next 4 – 5 hours immersing themselves in the daily life of the 16th Century. They start out with one mandatory activity. They must visit the various encampments in the village which will have a sign identifying them as part of the scout patch program and observe what daily life was like during the Renaissance period.  At these encampments the scouts will be presented with demonstrations (many of them will be hands on) of activities such as blacksmithing, weaving, and games of the period.  The villagers will also take great delight in regaling the scouts about life in the Renaissance and what it was like to be a lowly peasant or a wealthy spice trader or merchant and will even explain how the life of the nobility wasn't always easy!  We invite the scouts to take notes and ask questions and we hope they will acquire an appreciation for the rich history of this era.

Next, they have a choice of at least four optional activities, chosen from a list of numerous stage shows and demonstrations. These offer a glimpse into how people entertained themselves prior to television or radio. The activities include; watching mounted live steel jousting, playing board and card games favored by the nobility of that time, or courtly dancing accompanied by the village musicians. Some of the activities, such as the birds of prey demonstration or the apothecary re-enactment, display skills that were essential to daily survival in this era. They are also encouraged to do an age appropriate craft, such as creating a treasure chest, a stained glass candle or a pirate hat. Once the scouts have completed the required activities, they are free to enjoy the rest of the day as our guests.

At the end of the day, they leave with their Florida Renaissance Festival Scout Patch and their workbook full of ideas and instructions for ongoing education about this fascinating period. In the end, they’ve learned much and had wondrous fun in the process. As one patch-laden scout recently informed us, “It’s the coolest patch program ever!!”