Nov 21-22: Houston Museum of Natural Science
Houston Museum of Natural Science
5555 Hermann Park Dr
Houston, TX 77030
Travel & Transportation
Location: Houston Museum of Natural Science (HMNS) — 5555 Hermann Park Dr, Houston, TX 77030.
Arrival Time/Program Start: 6:00pm on Saturday, November 21, 2026.
Travel Time: Allow 3½ to 4+ hours for travel each way. Please keep an eye on Houston traffic and plan accordingly to arrive on time.
Transportation: Families arrange their own transportation. We strongly encourage coordinating carpools with other Cub Scout families in your den or across the Pack!
Arrival & Parking Reminders
Parking: Parking is included in the HMNS attached parking garage. Do not park in the Park Plaza professional building on Caroline Drive (the museum cannot reimburse parking there). You will not need to pay upon entry; parking passes will be handed out during morning breakfast on Sunday so you can exit hassle-free. Your parking pass is valid for the whole day, so you are welcome to extend your museum visit after the event!
Arrival/Gathering Spot: When gathering in the museum prior to the event start, look for the "Welcome Overnight Participants" sign and keep walkways clear. Bring all overnight gear inside upon arrival.
SCHEDULE
The museum will be closed and locked to the public the entire time we’re there. We will not have in-and-out privileges or access to our vehicles during the sleepover, except to leave for emergencies.
SAT, 21-NOV-2026
6:00pm-6:20pm Arrive at HMNS, park in parking garage, head to HMNS entrance (bring personal gear and paperwork)
6:20pm-6:30pm Opening ceremony & announcements
6:30pm-7:00pm Orientation and Pizza Dinner - Morian Lecture Hall
7:00pm-8:30pm Scavenger Hunt and Fossil Sort activities
8:30pm-9:00pm Evening snack
9:00pm-9:30pm Set up sleeping gear in Wiess Energy Hall (exact sleeping location may change)
9:30pm-10:00pm “Passport to the Universe” Planetarium show
10:00pm-10:45pm Get ready for bed
10:45pm Lights out (*see note below)
SUN, 22-NOV-2026
7:30am Wakeup call
7:30am-8:45am Wake up, pack up gear, and breakfast in Moran Lecture Hall
9:00am Group event ends and we are free to explore the museum!
*The program schedule for museum and zoo sleepovers always go late because the venue’s organizers want all of the kids to be dead tired at lights out. As the parent of a younger Cub this can be quite a shock and challenge—but don’t let it scare you. Cub Scout families have been happily surviving these sleepovers for many years. Please come with an attitude of flexibility.
FOOD & DRINKS
Dinner: Pizza (cheese and pepperoni) served with a fresh salad.
Breakfast: Continental style including breakfast bars, fresh fruit, bagels, and coffee for adults.
Allergies & Dietary Needs: The museum can accommodate gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, and vegan requests if provided in advance. If your child or family member has a severe or unique allergy, please note it during sign-up so we can verify accommodations or advise on storing personal food safely.
COST & HOW TO SIGN UP
The activity fee for this sleepover is $105 per person (children and adults). The fee covers the overnight program, food (dinner, snack, and breakfast), parking, late-night/early-morning access, evening programming, and full museum admission for Sunday, November 22.
Minimum age to participate is kindergarten.
Sign up deadline is Wednesday, November 4th.
Headcount is capped at 100 people, so don’t wait to sign up. If we run out of space, we will start a waitlist. Sign up at our Pack online store:
No refunds after November 4th unless the spots can be filled from the waitlist.
Policies
Non-Scout siblings: Non-Scout siblings are welcome to attend Cub Scout overnights as long as they meet the age restrictions of the venue.
Adult partner: Every youth must be accompanied by at least one parent/guardian on all Cub Scout overnights. Under certain conditions, a Cub may come with another Pack 421 family or an adult who is not the Cub's legal parent/guardian (e.g., a grandparent), but this needs to be cleared with Pack leaders far in advance (i.e., before paying or reserving a spot). Email Pack leaders if this applies to you.
Required Paperwork
1. Med Forms: Every participant (youth and adult) who attends a Cub Scout overnight must have a medical release and medical history on file in hardcopy with the Pack, dated and signed within the last 12 months. If your family does not attend the Fall campout at Bastrop State Park, please arrive with copies of Med Forms (Parts A, B1, and B2) for each member of their family who is going, and give the hardcopies to a Pack leader at check-in at HMNS.
2. Safeguarding Youth Training (SYT): Every adult who attends a Cub Scout overnight is expected to have taken the SYT online training and provide a printed copy of the completion certificate to the Pack every 12 months. Please bring a hard copy of your current SYT Completion Certificate with you to turn in your Med Forms.
3. Release & Consent Forms: Every single participant (both youth and adult chaperones) must have a signed HMNS Release & Consent form turned in at check-in. Anyone without a completed form will not be allowed to participate. Download the forms below and bring the filled-out hard copies to a Pack leader at check-in.
PACKING LIST
This overnight is indoor camping. Pack light. Make sure everything your family needs can be carried in one trip. It's a bit of a walk from the parking to where we will be sleeping. You may use a large cargo duffle with shoulder straps or a small wagon, if necessary.
Essential items:
Sleeping bag and pillow
Basic toiletries (e.g., toothbrush, toothpaste, comb)
Personal medications (adult partner should keep secure)
A positive attitude and sense of adventure
Recommended items:
Sleeping pad, air mattress, or cot
Change of clothes/pajamas for sleeping. Dress in comfortable layers (the museum can get chilly at night)
Flashlight (for chaperones escorting kids to restrooms after lights-out)
Slippers or sandals for nighttime restroom visits
Eye mask and ear plugs (highly recommended for light sleepers. Some exhibit lights stay on and background noise can occur)
Personal water bottle (optional, no sugary or caffeinated drinks for kids)
Personal insulated bottle with coffee or tea (optional, for adult only)
Do NOT bring:
Items of value
Electronics, speakers, etc.
Caffeinated beverages or sugary treats
Alcohol, cigarettes, or vapes
Tents or pop-ups
Pets
Other Things to Know
This event will proceed rain-or-shine.
There are no showers for guest use at HMNS.
No Outside Food or Delivery: No outside food, snacks, or delivery services (like DoorDash) are allowed during the overnight. Dinner and breakfast are provided by the museum.
No Food in Sleeping Areas: Absolutely no food or drinks (even wrapped snacks) are permitted in the sleeping areas.
Electronics Note: Wall outlets may not be conveniently located near sleeping spots, so a portable phone charger is strongly recommended for chaperones.
Tobacco Policy: No vaping, smoking, or tobacco of any kind is allowed inside the museum, and participants cannot leave the building to smoke/vape during the program.
Caffeine Note: The museum does not provide caffeinated drinks during the evening portion—adult chaperones are welcome to bring their own.
No Money / Valuables: Campers should not carry cash or unnecessary items (toys, jewelry, electronic games, laptops, aerosols, etc.). If families want to allow gift shop purchases when it opens at 9:00 AM on Sunday, we suggest parents hold onto any spending money.
T-shirts: Official HMNS overnight t-shirts will be sold the morning of the event for $15.00 (CASH ONLY).
Included with the overnight cost is next day admission to HMNS. You and your family are free to explore the museum during Sunday open hours for as long as you wish to visit. HMNS is open until 5:30pm on Sundays.