The Badge Archive

2011 – Animal Habitats

(Part of Junior Outdoor Journey Set)

(Note: Per GSUSA’s 2025 Award Log: “These awards are retiring on 10/1/26”. This will still remain as a badge.)

Yes – 2011 Is the current GSUSA badge

Released in 2011 and is considered part of the 2011 Girl’s Guide. The Junior page has information on when all badges were released.

Can be earned as a single badge or as part of the Junior Outdoor Journey set. (Journeys retire in Oct 2026.)

What is this badge about?

Observe wild animals, create a model animal home or draw a habitat, learn of endangered habitats, and help a habitat.

Choose your own activities!

  • Activity List  (Not Available Yet)

Our Summary* of requirements:

  1. Watch (live or on video) wild animal(s) and learn how the live, sleep, eat, AND communicate.
  2. Pick one habitat environment and learn about the animals in it (adaptation, food, OR shelter) OR take a lot of animal pictures and try sorting them into groups (how they look, care for their young, move, etc.) and see if it matches how scientists group animals.
  3. Learn what shelter animals take in their habitat and draw, sketch, build a model, OR write a story about it.
  4. Learn about endangered habitats (Artic Circle, Gulf Coast, OR Amazon), the animals in them, and how people are trying to help.
  5. Help (bring awareness, clean) a habitat (woods, stream, beach, OR park) OR Create a shelter (toad, bat, bird, bee house, OR butterfly/bee garden).

* – This summary is based off the GSUSA booklet activity choices.

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What is a good Troop Meeting Plan besides the VTK?

Click to Expand → All Known Meeting Plans and Resource Links

Meeting Plans

Other Resources

What is a good way to earn the badge at home?

Click to Expand → All Known At Home Plans

At Home Plans

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GSUSA Information and Details

Five steps are needed to complete this badge:

  1. Find out about wild animals
  2. Investigate an animal habitat
  3. Create an animal house
  4. Explore endangered habitats
  5. Help protect animal habitats
Official badge from Girl Scout Shop online
Click to Expand → GSUSA Official Resources

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  • GSUSA Volunteer Toolkit (VTK) free plan for 2 Meetings – No links available. This is only accessible through MyGS log-in on Council’s website for troop leaders
    • Mtg 1: Explore Animals (Create a Show, Explore Animals Near You, or Visit a Zoo/Animal Sanctuary), AND Explore Habitats (Visit a Zoo/Animal Sanctuary, Explore Habitat Near You, or Play Animal-Habitat Matching Game)
    • Mtg 2: Shelter Activity (Baby-Animal Home Story, Make Animal Home, or Design a Shelter), Endangered Habitats (Artic Circle, Gulf Coast, or Amazon) and Help Habitats (Habitat Awareness Party, Clean Up Habitat, or Backyard Shelter)
  • Leave No Trace by GSUSA
  • Leave No Trace (Illustrated) by GSUSA
  • Animal Habitats Mtg 2 Activity Choices by GSUSA
  • VTK Animal Habitats Worksheet by GSUSA
  • VTK Make a Jell-O Nest by GSUSA

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Is there a matching badge for Multi-Level Troops?

Learn about the Animal Themed Multi-level GSUSA 2011 badges.

Where does this go on the Uniform?

This is can be considered a Journey Badge – Click Here to see diagrams and details on where to place it. This can also be a Skill Based Badge when the Outdoor Journey is not planned – Click Here to see diagrams and details on where to place it.

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For More Fun Ideas and Plans

for Daisy, Brownie, and Junior Scouts

Join the Girl Scout Daisy, Brownie, and Junior Leader Help Facebook Group
(Not an official GSUSA Group)

This is a supportive Facebook community for Daisy, Brownie, and Junior Girl Scout leaders. Whether you’re seeking advice, fresh ideas, or meeting plans, you’re in the right place! Let’s inspire each other, share our experiences, and make every troop meeting a memorable adventure.

Find out how you can support The Badge Archive!

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Tia Kennard