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.
What is this badge about?
Fingerprinting, code breaking, observation games, and solve mysteries using evidence.
Choose your own activities!
Activity List(Not Available Yet)
Our Summary* of requirements:
- Play an observation video/game (shake up a room) OR note three things you observe everyday for one week.
- Write a code (morse, pigpen, transposition, alphabet, symbol, OR invisible ink) and solve a code.
- Make a fingerprint and identify the fingerprint pattern.
- Compare evidence (handwriting, fabrics, OR soil) OR learn how DNA works.
- Solve and make clues (clue hunt, OR “on the scene”) OR solve 3 online mysteries (FBI kids, OR Planet Science).
* – This summary is based off the GSUSA booklet activity choices.
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What is a good Troop Meeting Plan besides the VTK?
- Archived Copy of Mtg1 and Mtg2 from GSRV (River Valley) – Original: Mtg 1 and Mtg 2
Special Mention: Mysteries to solve for Step 5 –
- Camp Trefoil Mystery for Step 5 by Troop 32064 from GSNCN
- Mad Scientist Escape Room for Step 5 by Troop 18440 from GSRV
- Cookie Mystery by Cristin Creates
- Buy 2025 WTD Escape Room at Teachers Pay Teachers by The Badge Archive
- Buy Printable Cadette Step 5 at Teachers Pay Teachers by Growing Girl Scout Helpers
Click to Expand → All Known Meeting Plans and Resource Links
Meeting Plans
- Booklet Info from Scouts Honor Wiki
- Meeting Plan at Earn Junior Girl Scout Badges Blog
- Archived Copy of Mtg1 and Mtg2 from GSRV (River Valley) – Original: Mtg 1 and Mtg 2
- Slideshow PDF from GSEP – Archived Copy of PDF
- Slideshow Google Doc from GSNWGL – Archived Copy of PPT
- Slideshow PDF (Part 1 and Part 2) from GSWNY – Archived Copy of PDF2 (none of PDF1)
- Buy Badge Boxes from Jerseyshore GS
- Buy Activity Booklet from Leader Connecting Leaders
Other Resources
- (Not Available Yet)
See the Activity List – choose your own activities! - Info webpage at Girl Scout Wiki
- Selective Attention Test by Daniel Simons
- Camp Trefoil Mystery for Step 5 by Troop 32064 from GSNCN
- Mad Scientist Escape Room for Step 5 by Troop 18440 from GSRV
- Case of the Missing Cookies Intro and Google Form by GSCB
- Cookie Mystery by Cristin Creates
- Decoder Ring by Dabbles and Babbles
- Different Codes by Waterford.org
- Video for morse code necklace and finger printing from ScrapsKC
- Booklet Info from Scouts Honor Wiki
- View Booklet Online
What is a good way to earn the badge at home?
- At Home Plan from GSTOP – Archived Copy of PDF
Click to Expand → All Known At Home Plans
At Home Plans
- Instructions (1-3 of 3 posts) from GSCO Blog
- Activity packet from GSNEO
- At Home Plan from GSTOP – Archived Copy of PDF
- Video Walkthrough from Better Science Teaching
- 5 Video Walkthrough from GSLP
- Google Classroom (request by email/phone number) under “Virtual Badges for Juniors” from GSHS
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GSUSA Information and Details
Five steps are needed to complete this badge:
- Practice the power of observation
- Communicate in code
- Fingerprint for fun
- Try out detective science
- Follow the clues to solve a real mystery!
Click to Expand → GSUSA Official Resources
- Buy the GSUSA Leader Guide Booklet (View Online)
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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: Observation (One-Minute Video, Shake Up a Room, OR Take Notice), AND Codes (Classic Codes, Create a Code, OR Invisible Inks)
- Mtg 2: Fingerprints (3 Sets, ID Card, OR Police Department), Evidence (3 Kinds, DNA, or Handwriting), AND Mystery (Clue Hunt, On the Scene, OR 3 Online Mysteries)
- Detective Mtg 2 Activity Choices by GSUSA
- VTK Morse Code Key by GSUSA
- VTK Fingerprint Patterns by GSUSA
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Is there a matching badge for Multi-Level Troops?
Learn about the Investigation Themed Multi-level GSUSA 2011 badges.
Where does this go on the Uniform?
This is a Skill Based Badge – 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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- Return to the Junior Badge List.
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The Badge Archive 