The Badge Archive

Activity Description: Scouts complete a series of animal-themed movement challenges in an obstacle course using printed cards and everyday items.

• Fulfills Step 2 of GSUSA Daisy Animal Observer badge requirements.
• Fulfills Step 2 of GSUSA Daisy Fun With Movement badge requirements.
• Leaders – please be aware of double dipping and make your own informed choice.

Info Needed for Animal Observer: Explore how animals move, hide, and communicate by mimicking behaviors through observation-based games.

Info Needed for Fun With Movement: Learn how physical activity can be fun and creative, especially with plenty of space to move. They play a movement-based game by following animal-inspired instructions, practicing body control, creativity, and listening skills.

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Items Needed:

• Printed Animal Obstacle Cards (see below)
• Masking tape or paper to mark movement paths
• Chairs or tables for crawling stations
• Paper plates or cones for hopping zones
• (Optional) Animal footprint markers
• (Optional) Stickers or stamps for station completion

Before the Meeting:

• Prepare the obstacle course layout using printed cards and simple props. (5–10 min)
  • Place cards at each station with a movement prompt and animal illustration.
  • Use tape, paper, or chairs to mark paths and zones.
  • Arrange stations in a loop or circuit around the room.

Instructions (Estimated Total Time: 25–30 min):

1. Introduce scouts to the course and explain how to rotate through stations. (3–7 min)
2. Guide scouts through the obstacle course. (15–20 min)
   • Scouts complete each station by following the movement prompt.
   • Encourage scouts to try each action and move safely.
   • (Optional) Use stickers or stamps to mark completed stations.
3. Reflect on the movements and favorite animals. (3–5 min)
   • Ask scouts which movement was the silliest, hardest, or most fun.
   • (Optional) Let scouts invent their own animal movement and share it.

Suggested Animal Stations

(Use 6–8 stations for a 20–30 min rotation)

Station Name	Movement	Setup	Printable Card Prompt
Frog Pond	Hop across lily pads	Paper plates as lily pads	“Hop like a frog from pad to pad!”
Bear Crawl Cave	Crawl under a “cave”	Chairs with string or table tunnel	“Crawl like a bear through the cave!”
Butterfly Glide	Arm flapping + tiptoe walk	Open space	“Flap your wings and glide like a butterfly!”
Crab Walk Coast	Crab walk around cones	Masking tape path or cones	“Scuttle sideways like a crab!”
Snake Slither Trail	Wiggle across a line	Tape a winding path on the floor	“Slither like a snake along the trail!”
Kangaroo Jump Zone	Big jumps forward	Use tape to mark jump spots	“Jump like a kangaroo to the finish!”
Elephant Parade	March with stomping feet	Follow paw prints	“Stomp and swing your trunk like an elephant!”
Cheetah Dash	Quick run in place or short sprint	Use a hallway or corner	“Run fast like a cheetah—then freeze!”
Penguin Waddle Path	Waddle with feet close together	Tape a zigzag path or use cones	“Waddle like a penguin through the icy path!”
Flamingo Balance Nest	Stand on one foot and hold pose	Use balance spots or paper nests	“Balance like a flamingo in your cozy nest!”
Giraffe Stretch Grove	Reach arms high and walk tall	Open space or taped “tree” spots	“Stretch tall like a giraffe reaching for leaves!”
Monkey Swing Circuit	Arm circles + side steps	Use string vines or pretend branches	“Swing your arms and move like a monkey!”
Turtle Trek Tunnel	Slow crawl with a “shell” on back	Blankets or mats for crawling	“Crawl slowly like a turtle with your shell!”
Horse Gallop Lane	Galloping steps across a path	Use tape lanes or cones	“Gallop like a horse down the trail!”
Owl Spin Perch	Gentle spin + perch pose	Marked circle or perch spot	“Spin and perch like a wise owl!”
Seal Slide Shore	Belly scoot or knee slide	Mats or soft surface	“Slide like a seal across the shore!”

This Activity is a Part of the Following Meeting Plan(s)

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