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:

• VTK Online Activity Cards by GSUSA (2–3 per scout, printed and cut out beforehand).
• Three circular objects of different sizes (e.g., a hula hoop, bucket, and cup).
• VTK Boarding Passes by GSUSA (printed and cut out, one per pair of scouts)
• Tape (for scouts to share)
• Timer or clock
• 30 scenario cards (one for each potential smart device issue – see list in activity instructions)
• The 4 safety tips printed out and displayed on a board or as small reference cards for each team (see the listed safety tips in activity instructions)
• Pen and paper for the scorekeeper to track team points
• Two cell phones (one to go inside the Faraday cage, one to call it).
• For each group of 3–4 scouts:
  • One roll of heavy-duty aluminum foil.
  • Small cardboard box (large enough to hold a cell phone).
  • Hot glue gun with glue sticks or duct tape.
• VTK Code Word Cards by GSUSA (printed and cut out, one set per group of 6 scouts)
• Paper and pencil for each scout

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 – Wi-Fi

(Requirement 2 Earned)

Fun Activity: Wi-Fi Toss 

Time Expected*: 10 minutes

Activity 2 – Travel Documents

(Requirement 1 Earned)

Action Needed: Tearing Boarding Passes – only the boarding passes, not the bar codes.

Time Expected*: 5 minutes

• Note to Leaders – You can learn more about decomposition with a short video or a mini lesson

Activity 3 – Environment

(Requirement 5 Earned)

Fun Activity: Match and Secure – use the 30 second timer rule

Time Expected*: 25 minutes

Activity 4 – Electronics

(Requirement 4 Earned)

Fun Activity: Faraday Cage – Aluminum Foil

Time Expected*: 25 minutes

Activity 5 – Conversations

(Requirement 3 Earned)

Fun Activity: Game: Code Calling

Time Expected*: 15 minutes

Meeting End

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

This meeting is more likely to run over depending on how long the Faraday Cage takes to build. However, if there is additional time, scouts can play additional rounds of Code Calling until it’s time to go home.

Time Expected*: 5 minutes

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Total Time Expected*: 90 minutes

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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 pre-planned meeting plans by others – see the Senior Cybersecurity Safeguards page.
To choose your own activities – see the Senior Cybersecurity Safeguards Activity List.

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For More Fun Ideas and Plans

for Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador Scouts

This is a supportive community for Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador Girl Scout leaders. This group offers solutions to keep older scouts engaged in scouting amidst their busy lives. Share strategies, tackle challenges, and exchange ideas for fun, meaningful activities that resonate with teens and build lasting connections.

Find out how you can support The Badge Archive!

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• Return to the Senior Badge List.

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