Please Note: Girl Scouts of Greater South Texas tries to keep the information in this packet updated, but we recommend that you call each location ahead as you plan your visits. Please send an email to program@gsgst.org if you notice that any of the information is out-of-date or inaccurate.
REQUIREMENTS FOR SCOUTING AROUND LAREDO Complete the starred activity (**) and three additional activities to complete the patch. 1. HERITAGE TROLLEY TOUR OF HISTORIC LAREDO Starts at Republic of the Rio Grande Museum 1005 Zaragoza St. Phone: (956) 727-0977 Website: http://www.webbheritage.org/trolleytour.htm By appointment only Tuesday thru Saturday: 9:00am-2:00pm Children: $7.00 Adults: $10.00 Minimum of 10 people required. Groups of more than twenty may be eligible for a group discount. Take the trolley tour of historic Laredo. This Trolley tour will take you by several of the sites listed as requirements for this patch. **2. REPUBLIC OF THE RIO GRANDE MUSEUM 1005 Zaragoza St. Phone: (956) 727-0977 Tuesday thru Saturday: 9:00am-4:00pm Closed Sunday and Monday Children: Free Adults: $2.00 Tuesday admission is free. Guided tour of Rio Grande Museum, Border Heritage Museum, and Casa Ortiz available for 10 or more people for Children: Free, Adults: $10.00 Take a tour of the museum. 1. How many flags have flown over Laredo, Texas? 2. When did the Republic of the Rio Grande come to being? How long did it last? 3. IMAGINARIUM OF SOUTH TEXAS 5300 San Dario, Ste. 505 Laredo, TX 78041 Phone: (956) 728-0404 Website: http://www.imaginariumstx.org Summer Hours 2 GSGST 01/09
Children: $3.00 Adults: $2.00 4. SAN AGUSTIN PLAZA Monday thru Thursday: 2:00pm-7:00pm Friday thru Saturday: 10:00am-9:00pm Sunday: 12noon-6pm Regular Hours Wednesday & Thursday: 10:00am-7:00pm Friday & Saturday: 10:00am-9:00pm Sunday: 12noon-6:00pm CLOSED Monday & Tuesday Hours change occasionally due to special events. Please contact museum ahead of visit to confirm hours. Tour the permanent and temporary exhibits. 200 San Agustin Ave. Plaza is always open to public. Read the historical markers and around the plaza. Visit the gazebo and the Cathedral of San Agustin, the second highest structure in Laredo. 1. What is significant about the location of the plaza? 2. When was the Cathedral of San Agustin built? 5. LAREDO CENTER FOR THE ARTS 500 San Agustin Ave. Phone: (956) 725-1715 Website: http://www.laredoartcenter.org/ Summer Hours Tuesday thru Saturday: 11:00am-6:00pm CLOSED Sunday & Monday Regular Hours Tuesday thru Friday: 9:00am-6:00pm Saturday: 10:00am-5:00pm CLOSED Sunday & Monday Donations are accepted. To arrange a tour or demonstration, call the Education Department at the number above. 3 GSGST 01/09
Read the Texas Historical Marker on the North side of the building about the City Hall and Market House, and then tour the Center for the Arts and view the exhibits. Look for signs of the building s original use. 1. What caused the economic boom in Laredo in the early 1880s? 2. How were the City Hall & Market House originally used? How else was the building used since then? 6. WEBB COUNTY COURTHOUSE 1000 Houston St. Phone: (956) 523-4000 Website: http://www.webbcounty.com Monday thru Friday: 8:00am-12noon and 1:00pm-5:00pm CLOSED Saturday & Sunday Read the sign on the building to find out what year the Courthouse was built and who designed it. If the Commissioner s Court is not currently being used, ask to let the girls see the inside and sit in the courtroom. 7. WEBB COUNTY HERITAGE FOUNDATION 500 Flores Ave. Phone: (956) 727-0977 Website: http://www.webbheritage.org/ Monday thru Friday: 8:30am-5:00pm CLOSED Saturday & Sunday Troops MUST call ahead to reserve a time to tour the building. Read the Texas Historical Marker about Laredo s Washington Birthday Celebration in front of the building. Then speak to the employees at the Heritage Foundation about how they preserve the history of Laredo. 1. When did the first Laredo s Washington s Birthday Celebration take place? 2. What can people learn from the photographs kept in the Webb County Heritage Foundation s archives? 8. LAMAR BRUNI VERGARA ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE CENTER Laredo Community College Main Campus W. End Washington St. Laredo, TX 78045 Phone: (956) 764-5701 4 GSGST 01/09
Website: http://www.laredo.cc.tx.us Monday thru Thursday: 8:00am-6:00pm Friday: 8:00am-12noon CLOSED Saturday & Sunday Children: $2.00 Adults: $4.00 Senior Citizens: $2.00 Call ahead for special guided classes, which have additional costs. Take a tour of the science center and see animals native to South Texas. Outside, see vegetation native to South Texas. Walk the Paso del Indio Nature Trail adjacent to the science center. 9. FORT MCINTOSH AT LAREDO COMMUNITY COLLEGE 10. JARVIS PLAZA Laredo Community College Main Campus W. End Washington St. Laredo, TX 78045 Phone: (956) 764-5701 Website: http://www.laredo.cc.tx.us The campus is always open to the public. Read the Historical Marker and signs to learn what took place at Fort McIntosh and how it was used. Tour the campus and identify buildings that were part of the original fort and what purpose they served. Compare Fort McIntosh buildings with a building on campus that was built recently. Discuss the differences between them. 1300 Matamoros St. The city plaza is always open. Read the monuments in the plaza and the Texas Historical Marker. 1. Who was Samuel Jarvis? How was he important to Laredo? 2. Who else is memorialized in the park? How are those people important to Laredo? 5 GSGST 01/09
ANSWERS TO SCOUTING AROUND LAREDO QUESTIONS **2. REPUBLIC OF THE RIO GRANDE MUSEUM 4. SAN AGUSTIN PLAZA 1. How many flags have flown over Laredo, Texas? A. Seven: Spain, France, Mexico, Republic of the Rio Grande, Republic of Texas, Confederate States of America, United States of America 2. When did the Republic of the Rio Grande come into being, and how long did it last? A. The Republic was formed in 1824. It lasted 284 days. 1. What is the significance of the location of the plaza? A. The city of Laredo was founded in this location. 2. When was the Cathedral of San Agustin built? A. The first church was built in 1778. Construction on the current church began in 1866 and was completed in 1872. 5. LAREDO CENTER FOR THE ARTS 1. What caused the economic boom in Laredo in the early 1880s? A. The U.S. and Mexico built railroads that went to Laredo. 2. How were the City Hall & Mark House originally used? How else have they been used since then? A. Originally the city officials were housed in the building, along with an auditorium. There was also space for outdoor merchants to sell their merchandise indoors. The building has also been used as office space, a skating rink, library, high school, and arena. 7. WEBB COUNTY HERITAGE FOUNDATION 10. JARVIS PLAZA 1. When did the first Laredo s Washington s Birthday Celebration take place? A. February 21, 1898 2. What can people learn from the photographs kept in the Webb County Heritage Foundation s archives? A. This question is open for discussion with employees of the foundation. 1. Who was Samuel Jarvis? How was he important to Laredo? A. Samuel Jarvis fought in the Mexican Wars, and then moved his family to Laredo. He was county surveyor and mayor and was instrumental in developing the city. 2. Who else is memorialized in the park? How are those people important to Laredo? A. Korean war veterans are memorialized in the park. They are important because they have fought for our country. 6 GSGST 01/09
SCOUTING AROUND LAREDO REPORT FORM TROOP #: Leader s Name: Address: City, State, Zip: Date Completed: Number of girls completing patch program: Give a brief report of the girl s reaction to the activities: What activity the girls like least? What activity did the girls like the most? Other comments: NUMBER OF CENTER PATCHES NEEDED NUMBER OF ROCKER PATCHES NEEDED ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE CENTER PATCH AND ROCKERS ARE $1.50 PLUS TAX (.0825) EACH ADD 10% FOR POSTAGE AND HANDLING ($.50 MIN - $7.50 MAX) FOR OFFICE USE ONLY: Report filed: Number of patches: Amount Enclosed: Patches Mailed: Receipt Number: 7 GSGST 01/09