The Badge Archive

It can be hard to get the attention of scouts, especially when they are very active and want to move. Each troop/den/pack/group will respond better to their own attention getter. Try a few out and see which ones work for you:

• Hand Up – Raise your hand up high. When the scouts see it, they also raise their hand. Do not speak until everyone has their hand raised and is no longer speaking.
  • Option 1 – Time to see how long it takes and if they beat their previous record
  • Option 2 – If they are broken up into groups, mention which group all had their hands up first to congratulate them. Scouts will compete to see if their group gets mentioned the next time you use this technique
  • Option 3 – Use multiple movements and expect them to silently mirror you. Start with hands on your head, place a finger on the tip of your nose, put both hands in the air, place them on your shoulder, etc. Keep switching until the whole troop is copying the actions and quiet.
  • Option 4 – Link the raised hand to “Give me 5” – where the 5 fingers represent the 5 things they need to do: 1) Stop talking, 2) Back against the chair, 3) Feet on the floor, 4) Hands on lap/desk, 5) Eyes on the leader
  • Option 5 – State “May I have your attention please?” when you raise your hand. Then start counting. The goal is for everyone to have their hands raised and silent by the time you reach 3, but sometimes you might be counting longer. The quiet ones will usually enforce the silence to keep the leader from going over 3.
  • Option 6 – Use a symbol (like a peace sign, or the scout hand sign).
• Clap/Snap In – Clap or snap in a pattern and have scouts repeat it back. As more scouts join in, the clap spreads across the room, ending their conversations and forcing them to put down what they are doing to join in.
  • Option 1 – Start with claps and switch to snaps
  • Option 2 – Select a student to lead the clap/snap in
  • Option 3 – Design a unique patter that is just for your troop
• Countdown – Start a countdown from 10 and all scouts join in as they notice. When the troop reaches zero, all are silent.
  • Option 1 – You can use it as a phrase like “With me in 5. With me in 4. With me in 3. With me in 2. With me in 1.”
• Call and Response – Decide on a troop phrase the leader speaks and a phrase the scouts reply. It can simply be something like the leader saying, “Who are we?” and the scouts replying “Troop #!” or sillier like “Who ya?” and replying “Boo ya!”.
  • Option 1 – Use a traditional call and response from another culture that uses them. (Like Oleo from Ghana or Che Che Kule from West Africa)
  • Option 2 – Use a regional call and response. (like “Who dat?” replying “We dat!” from St. Louis)
  • Option 3 – Use it to motivate them. (like “Never” replying “Give up!” or “Work hard” replying “Do right!”)
  • Option 4 – Scouts make up their own, submitting a list that the troop then votes on. (List of 50 ideas here.)
  • Option 5 – Have a set of cards with different call and responses. Draw one at random each time you need them. Scouts will need to remember which response would go with which card – so practice them from time to time, like you would a camp song.
  • Option 6 – Use a local sports team chant (like Kansas can use “Rock Chalk” and expect a “Jayhawk” response.)
  • Option 7 – Use a compound word (like leader says “Star” and scouts say “fish”, or leader says “apple” and scouts say “sauce”)
  • Option 8 – Use a song (like “Hakuna” replying “Matata”)
  • Option 9 – Use a phrase from a movie or tv show (like from Finding Nemo “shark bait” replying “Brew ha-ha!”)
• Timer/Song – If you have a set time for an activity, start a timer or play an instrumental song that lasts the time given. When the timer goes off or the song ends, the scouts attention must return to the leader.
• Hit the Lights – Explain that when the lights of the room flicker quickly, all voices need to immediately turn off and attention on the leader. Demo a quick on-off double flick of the light switch so they can see how it works. Use this when you need immediate attention, for quick info updates or emergencies, not for daily use.
  • Option 1 – Use a light (a lamp, stoplight, lava lamp, disco ball, or any other type of light that gives students a visual cue) and turn it on when you need them quiet and paying attention.
• Sound Effects – Use a specific sound that signals the troop to be quiet. It takes some training, but scouts should quiet down and pay attention when they hear the sound.
  • Option 1 – Use a musical instrument like a bell, chime, or rainmaker.
  • Option 2 – Use music like a specific song they chose you can either play on your phone or sing.
  • Option 3 – Find a unique sound you can play from your phone (like this airhorn).
  • Option 4 – Use a battery operated doorbell with a unique chime. You can keep it with you as you walk around and press it when you need it.
  • Option 5 – Find a toy that has a sound effect when you squeeze or press a button. It can be the troop mascot and help bring their attention when they hear that sound.
  • Option 6 – Use a unique not typically used word. (like “Salami!” or “Aardvark”)
• If you can hear me… – Use an action to see how many scouts are paying attention. The traditional version is “If you can hear me, put your hands on your head.” Another one is “if you can hear me, clap once” or twice, or three times… Repeat it softly but clearly until all scouts have their hands on their heads.
  • Option 1 – Say one thing but do another, like the leaders says “If you can hear me, put your hands on your hips”, but the leader puts their hand on their shoulders instead. It can get confusing, but usually in a silly fun way as they figure out if they are supposed to put their hands on their hips or their shoulders (the correct answer is they should put their hands on their hips, as it shows they are listening and not just mimicking what they see.)
  • Option 2 – Always call out a different body part to touch to ensure the scouts really have to listen and pay attention to the change.
• 1-2-3 Eyes on Me – Just stating “1, 2, 3, Eyes on me” can signal the troop to be quiet and the counting loud but slow enough to catch their attention is usually a good length of time for them to all quiet down by the time you finish the phrase.
  • Option 1 – This can also be a call and response where scouts reply back “1, 2 – eyes on YOU!”
• Quiet Spot – Mark a square on the floor or place a circle cut out down in a specific spot. When the leader stands there, they just stand quietly until the whole troop is quiet and looking at them.
  • Option 1 – Time to see how long it takes for them to notice and be quiet. See if they can be consistent or beat their previous record.

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