The Badge Archive

GSUSA – Teen Scout Voting

Choosing scout activities should be fun and engaging, but teens often pick badges based on what sounds exciting rather than what’s realistically achievable. Finding creative ways to help scouts dig deeper into badge requirements can ensure they select activities they’ll enjoy while successfully earning badges.

We checked with experienced leaders and got ideas from what they have tried on how to let teens vote for their activities. Keep in mind that some used badges to vote and some threw the badges out and just voted for activities.

Paper

Stamp Voting – Youth vote on their favorite options by walking around the room and marking choices with personalized stamps, stickers, or colored markers.

Sticky Note Voting – Youth vote on their favorite options by placing sticky notes on the choices they like.

Ballot Box – Youth vote privately by either writing their choice on a slip of paper or filling out a ballot form with a list of options.

Each troop will find its own way to vote, but try out some of the many different ways to vote.

Electronic

Kahoot Badge Polls

A Kahoot quiz with descriptions of different badges lets scouts vote in a game-style format. This is a fun alternative to traditional voting and ensures everyone gets a chance to learn about badge requirements before making their selections.

Independent Google Surveys

Using Google Forms, scouts can privately vote without peer influence. This method is great for fair decision-making, allowing leaders to gather unbiased preferences from the group.

Tips from Leaders

Hands-On Badge Exploration

Leaders provide summaries of badges, requirement booklets, and local badge workshop options for scouts to browse before voting. Though some scouts may get distracted by catalogs or unrelated materials, it’s a valuable opportunity to explore badge details more thoroughly.

Activity-Based Voting for Older Scouts

Instead of focusing on badges, some troops opt for activity voting, especially in multi-level groups. Scouts rank activity options, with only a limited number of veto votes to ensure fair participation. Leaders analyze the results, considering both majority picks and individual preferences to create a balanced troop schedule.

Personalized Badge Summaries

Instead of handing scouts long badge descriptions, leaders simplify the information, listing just the five core requirements and combining similar badges (e.g., Cybersecurity 1/2/3). This keeps the focus on what scouts will actually be doing, making selection easier.

Encouraging Thoughtful Choices

By using these methods, leaders can help scouts vote more effectively, balancing fun with doability. Whether using games, independent surveys, or movement-based voting, the goal is to make the selection process engaging, fair, and informed!

Voting Cards

For those troops that still wish to vote for badges, here is a resource for you. Each page features six badges or awards grouped by area of interest, making it easy to find what you need.

Cadette

Senior

Stay tune for Ambassador badges to be released!

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For More Fun Ideas and Plans

for Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador Scouts

Join the Girl Scout Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador Leader Help Facebook Group
(Not an official GSUSA Group)

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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Tia Kennard

One response to “GSUSA – Teen Scout Voting”

  1. GSUSA – Scout Led – The Badge Archive Avatar
    GSUSA – Scout Led – The Badge Archive

    […] For more ideas on how to hold a troop vote – see D/B/J Voting or Teen Voting. […]

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