2011 – Animal Observer – Basic Plan

Basic Meeting Plans are designed to have minimal supplies and still hit the GSUSA Requirements. Most meetings can be done in a 90 minute time frame.

Meeting Outline

Items Needed:

Printouts of animal track cards and matching animal pictures, cut and ready to use.
Printout of the Animal Movement Dice Game
A dice for the Animal Movement Dice Game (or multiple if you plan to break up into small groups).
OPTION A: A live animal (pet will work!)
OPTION B: Enough devices for small groups to watch a San Diego Zoo Live Cam
Printout My Animal Notes
Pen/pencil for each scout

Full instructions for each activity are found on the connected links. This outline shows the recommended order of activities for a nice flow from one activity to the next.

Meeting Start

Always plan for 5-10 minutes to allow scouts to arrive and your troop’s opening routines.

Time Expected*:
10 minutes

Activity 1 – Look for animal signs either by looking for animal tracks outdoors OR looking up animal habitats.

(Requirement 1 Earned)

Time Expected*:
20 minutes

Game: Animal Track Match – Scouts match animal tracks to the correct animals and learn how each animal moves and lives.

Activity 2 – Mimic animals by either playing camouflage hide and seek OR animal charades.

(Requirement 2 Earned)

Time Expected*:
20 minutes

Game: Animal Dice – Scouts roll a die and move like different animals based on the number rolled.

Activity 3 – Pick an animal and observe them in person OR online to learn more about them.
GSUSA recommended to go on a field trip to observe an animal.

(Requirement 3 Earned)

Time Expected*:
20 minutes

OPTION A:
Observe Live Animals – Scouts observe a live animal and record what they notice using a simple worksheet.

OPTION B:
Watch Animals Online – Scouts watch a real animal online and record what they observe using a simple worksheet.

If you have extra time: Scouts can go back to play more rounds of the Animal Movement Dice Game or any Pick-Up Game until it’s time to go home.

Meeting End

Always plan for 5-10 minutes for clean up and Closing Routines

Time Expected*:
10 minutes

**Total Time Expected*:** 80 minutes

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For pre-planned meeting plans by others – see the Daisy Animal Observer page.
To choose your own activities – see the Activity List for Animal Observer.

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General Notes

The Basic Plans from The Badge Archive are designed to earn one official GSUSA badge per level per meeting to remain budget-friendly.
Some badges require two meetings to complete. This allows scouts to fully enjoy the activities while keeping costs low by only needing one GSUSA badge for every two meetings.
For troops that wish to give scouts a badge or patch for every meeting, a fun patch can be awarded during one of the two sessions. Scouts attending only one meeting can earn the fun patch, while those attending both will receive both the fun patch and the GSUSA badge.

*Time Expected*

The time estimates provided by The Badge Archive are based on the writer’s personal experience and are meant as a guideline.
Troops may take more or less time depending on their scouts’ abilities and interests. Plan your meetings accordingly to suit your troop’s unique needs.

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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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Return to the Daisy Badge List.

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Tia Kennard