Activity Description: Youths create a decorated jar to collect self-kindness notes during the week. Every time they notice a moment of comparison or self-doubt, they write something nice about themselves and add it to the jar.
Fulfills Step 2 of GSUSA Junior Uniquely Us badge requirements.
Info Needed: Scouts recognize that everyone has unique strengths.
Items Needed:
- Clean, empty jar (one per scout)
- Art supplies to decorate jars (markers, stickers, ribbon, tape, etc.)
- Slips of paper (blank or printed)
- Pens or pencils
Instructions (Estimated Total Time: 15–40 minutes):
- Decorate the Jar (10–15 minutes)
- Each scout decorates their jar using the supplies provided.
- Jars can include uplifting symbols, kind words, or fun patterns.
- (Optional) Scouts can add a label like “My Kindness Jar” or “Positive Me Notes.”
- Explain the Practice (5–7 minutes)
- Scouts will take their jars home and watch for moments when they compare themselves to others.
- Each time this happens, they’ll pause and write something kind or true about themselves on a slip of paper.
- Examples: “I’m a good helper,” “I can be silly and kind,” “My brain is strong.”
- Use the Jar During the Week (On Your Own Time)
- Scouts place each slip in their jar after they write it.
- They may add one note each day or only when needed.
- (Optional at next meeting) Reflect and Share (10–13 minutes)
- After a week, scouts open their jar and read their notes.
- (Optional) Invite scouts to share one favorite message with the group or keep it private.
- Celebrate that noticing kindness builds self-confidence and helps avoid the comparison trap.
The Badge Archive 