The Badge Archive

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.

Items Needed:

• 7 blank index cards (or pieces of a paper cut into 4) per scout
• Troop coloring supplies (markers, crayons, or colored pencils)
• Optional: clipboards or writing surface
• Grocery Price Cards or List with generic vs. name-brand item sets (See Activity for details)
• Pencils or crayons
• Whiteboard or poster for scorekeeping (optional)
• Printed team worksheets (optional)
• Paper
• Pencil or crayon
• “Outdoor Fun Price List” – printed or written on a board (See Activity for details)
• Clothing shopping cards with item names and prices (See Activity for details)
• Space to sort and compare card sets
• (Optional, for adding more items) Extra blank cards and drawing materials
• (Optional) Play money or printed budget slips & pencils

Meeting Outline

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*: 5 minutes

Activity 1 – Learn the difference between wants and needs

(Requirement 2 Earned)

Fun Activity: Want and Need Flashcards

Time Expected*: 10 minutes

Activity 2 – Find out how much things cost and how money is used AND Find out how to be thrifty

(Requirements 1 and 4 Earned)

Fun Activity: Grocery Priced Right

Time Expected*: 30 minutes

Activity 3 – Plan a budget for a fun adventure

(Requirement 3 Earned)

Action Needed: Budget a Day Outside

Time Expected*: 20 minutes

Activity 4 – Make a budget for your character

(Requirement 5 Earned )

Fun Activity: Budget Outfit Builder

Time Expected*: 20 minutes

Meeting End

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

Scouts can keep thinking up new Outfits that fit a budget until it’s time to go home.

Time Expected*: 5 minutes

–

Total Time Expected*: 90 minutes

–

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.

–

For pre-planned meeting plans by others – see the Budget Builder Badge page.
To choose your own activities – see the Budget Builder Activity List

–

For More Fun Ideas and Plans

for Daisy, Brownie, and Junior Scouts

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!

–

• Return to the Brownie Badge List.

–