The Badge Archive

A great starting point is to explore the Activity List. For those that want a set meeting plan, River Valley Council’s 2-meeting plan or the slideshow from GSNWGL, are both available on Comic Artist Page.

Don’t be intimidated by the drawing component. Scouts can create comics with stick figures, emoji faces, or simple designs. The focus should be on fun and storytelling rather than artistic perfection.

Ideas for “Comic Artist” Badge

Here’s a streamlined list of ideas to guide leaders in crafting a fun and fulfilling “Comic Artist” badge experience for their scouts:

• Visit Local Venues:
  Explore local comic book shops, art galleries, or museums. Some troops loved browsing comic shops or visiting Marvel displays in galleries. At times, venues like the Charles Schulz Museum or a nearby comic convention (comic con) offered workshops or unique activities tailored to scouts.
• Engage Community Experts:
  Invite a comic artist for a step-by-step drawing session. If finding a comic artist feels challenging, you might contact local colleges to see if students from art departments are available or explore artist workshops in your area. Reach out to local art schools, libraries, or community members for connections. Teen librarians or art workshop hosts are great resources for this.
• Integrate Technology:
  The Apple Store offers free classes where scouts use iPads and Apple Pencils to create comics. Schedule early, as spots fill up fast! You can also introduce YouTube tutorials, like Shoo Rayner’s video on stick figures, to help scouts feel comfortable with drawing.
• Hands-On Activities with a Twist:
  Use blank comic books (found online) for scouts to create their own stories, or encourage them to explore comics like Calvin and Hobbes, Wimpy Kid, and Big Nate for inspiration. Have them focus on storytelling rather than perfecting art—stick figures work wonderfully. Scouts can create single-panel comics like “Family Circus,” based on things they love about Girl Scouts.
• Field Trips and Enrichment:
  Scouts have enjoyed touring comic shops with knowledgeable staff, learning from resident artists, or even visiting comic cons that run badge-related sessions. Some troops incorporated drawing classes at local art studios or schools, where discounted rates were offered for scout groups.
• Tie the Badge into Journeys:
  Incorporate themes from the Media journey. For instance, one troop used the story of Franklin’s introduction in the “Peanuts” comic as a way to explore diversity and inclusion in storytelling. You can share an article like this one to inspire meaningful discussions. Share stories that inspire scouts while broadening their understanding of comics as an art form.
• Supplementary Resources:
  Use tools like the Usborne comic activity pad for tips on designing characters and speech bubbles. The Making Friends booklet offers downloadable prompts, and library comic collections can provide diverse styles and ideas for scouts.
• Tech-Enhanced Creativity
  If your scouts love technology, try incorporating digital tools. The Apple Store sometimes offers free classes where scouts can develop storylines and create comics using iPads and Apple Pencils. Scheduling ahead is essential, but the experience is highly engaging for tech-savvy scouts. Introduce scouts to YouTube tutorials that simplify comic creation, such as videos on drawing stick figures or using digital tools for coloring and scanning.

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Helping Scouts Overcome “I Can’t Draw”

If your scouts struggle with drawing, a resource like Shoo Rayner’s video on stick figure drawing can help them feel more confident (watch here). Once they master simple poses and perspectives, they’ll be ready to develop their stories. Remind them that comics don’t have to include funny punchlines; they’re simply storytelling in panels. Graphic novels can be a great example to inspire them.

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Hands-On Badge Activities

For more traditional approaches, try these methods:

• Divide scouts into pairs to work on badge steps outside of meetings, then have them lead activities for the troop. This builds teamwork and leadership skills while ensuring everyone contributes.
• Order blank comic books online and let scouts fill them with their stories, using badge prompts as inspiration. To add a research component, scouts can look up female comic book artists and explore various comic genres.

With these varied approaches, you can adapt the “Comic Artist” badge to suit your troop’s interests, whether they’re hands-on learners, tech enthusiasts, or budding storytellers. The key is to focus on fun, creativity, and the joy of storytelling through comics. Let their imaginations take the lead!

KISMIF

Remember: Keep It Simple, Make It Fun.

Keep the badge experience flexible and fun. Whether your scouts love diving into artistic techniques or enjoy exploring comic culture, the “Comic Artist” badge offers endless opportunities for creativity and growth. With these ideas, you’re ready to craft a program tailored to your troop’s unique interests and skills.