chocolate scat fundraiser
All proceeds of this fun and somewhat disgusting annual endeavor go toward Crow’s Nest Preserve summer camp scholarships.
sometimes awesome things come in gross packages.
Nothing says the holidays like chocolate scat! The elves* at Natural Lands are hard at work hand-crafting edible excrement that mimics the poo of native animal species.
Choose from a full-sized scat sampler or buy single-scat stocking stuffers. All boxes include educational labels on how to identify different kinds of scat.
* The elves are teens who’ve aged out of our summer camps and afterschool programs.
The Scat Sampler: The sampler includes scat from a variety of animals found in Pennsylvania, including raccoon, red fox, beaver, black bear, Canada Goose, snapping turtle, porcupine, river otter, and skunk. $25/box
Stocking Stuffers: These single-scat boxes make great small gifts. Available in raccoon, black bear, or red fox. $5/box
*In this case, the elves are teenager volunteers who have attended education programs at Crow’s Nest Preserve for many years and are now looking for ways to give something back. All proceeds go toward Crow’s Nest Preserve summer camp scholarships.
Scat orders can be picked up at three different Natural Lands properties: Crow’s Nest Preserve, ChesLen Preserve, and Stoneleigh: a natural garden. SORRY, WE CANNOT SHIP SCAT! (It just doesn’t ship well… it gets all scattered. Get it? Scattered.)
Sorry! We are now sold out. Be sure to sign up for our e-newsletter to get notified next year.
Questions? Email Molly Smyrl (msmyrl “at” natlands “dot” org).
scat ingredients
RACCOON
marshmallows, chocolate chips, butter, sesame seeds, craisins, crisped rice
PORCUPINE
powdered sugar, cocoa powder, dry milk powder, light corn syrup, butter, vanilla extract
SNAPPING TURTLE
chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, corn syrup, green food coloring, oats, cornflakes
Photo: Mae Axlerod
RED FOX (summer scat)
chocolate chips, light corn syrup, sesame seeds
RED FOX (winter scat)
chocolate chips, light corn syrup, shredded wheat
STRIPED SKUNK
marshmallows, chocolate chips, butter, chocolate sprinkles, Jolly Rancher candies
RIVER OTTER
rolled oats, crisped rice, honey, brown sugar, chocolate chips, butter
BLACK BEAR
flour, sugar, cocoa powder, vegetable oil, salt, sesame seeds, craisins
BEAVER
corn flakes, honey, brown sugar, chocolate chips, butter
CANADA GOOSE
marshmallows, peanut butter chips, chocolate chips, butter, green food coloring, powdered sugar
scat FAQs
It all started when Crow’s Nest Preserve educator Molly Smyrl wanted to trick kids into thinking she had eaten poop she found along the trail. The result was hilarious, and the idea grew from there.
Sorry! We are now sold out. Be sure to sign up for our e-newsletter to get notified next year.
Yes! Our elves only make as many boxes as are ordered, so you must pre-order.
No, the Edible Scat Fundraiser is limited to the period between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
You can pay by credit card at the time of your order or bring cash or a check (made payable to “Natural Lands”) with you to pick-up.
Sunday, December 14, 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM, Stoneleigh: a natural garden, Villanova, PA
Sunday, December 14, 3:30 – 5:00 PM, Crow’s Nest Preserve, Elverson, PA
Sunday, December 21, 2:00 – 4:00 PM, ChesLen Preserve, Coatesville, PA
Sadly, Orvis is closing a number of stores, including the Downingtown and Plymouth Meeting locations that served as pickup points for us in the past.
Please email us (msmyrl “at” natlands “dot” org) and we will try to work something out. In general, we are pretty flexible about pick-up times if you can come to Crow’s Nest Preserve to pick your scat up. If you need to pick-up from another location, it takes a little more planning.
Sorry, but no. Even if you paid for shipping, still no.
Adding in the logistics of shipping in addition to making and packaging the scat is beyond our capacity at this time. Perhaps someday we’ll be able to offer shipping, but for the foreseeable future the local market for edible scat keeps us plenty busy.
We were surprised at first, too. But everyone seems to know someone to whom they would give a box of poop.
watch how we make the scat
volunteer
Give a few hours at an organized volunteer event, sign-up with friends, or make an ongoing commitment through one of our special training programs.
outdoor education
Children who love nature grow up to be adults who protect it. our education programs—held at Crow’s Nest Preserve—get kiddos outside as much as possible.
why protecting land matters
Every acre we save cleans and cools the air we breathe, soaks up floodwaters, provides wildlife with habitat, filters the water we drink, and brings humans improved health and joy.