Fulfills Step 4 of GSUSA Uniquely Us badge requirements.
Info Needed: Scouts explore how to speak kindly about their bodies. Scouts practice identifying and responding to situations where their body boundaries might be crossed. They learn that everyone’s comfort levels are different and all are important.
Items Needed:
- None
Instructions (Estimated Total Time: 20–30 minutes):
- Brainstorm Boundary Situations (5–7 minutes)
- Scouts think of examples where someone might cross their body boundaries.
- Examples: asking for unwanted hugs, touching someone’s hair without permission, giving a command that’s physically too hard, making uncomfortable comments.
- Keep examples general and neutral to avoid personal or sensitive details.
- (Optional) Write ideas on a board or chart paper for reference.
- Scouts think of examples where someone might cross their body boundaries.
- Practice Speaking Up (10–12 minutes)
- Scouts pair up and role-play responding to one example.
- Each scout practices using strong, respectful words to speak up when they feel uncomfortable.
- Encourage scouts to listen when it’s their turn to hear someone else’s boundary.
- (Optional) Scouts can switch roles after each round.
- Reflect and Discuss (5–10 minutes)
- Scouts think about what they learned from practicing.
- Talk about how body boundaries can be different from person to person.
- Remind scouts that it’s okay to ask for help from a trusted adult if something feels wrong or unsafe.
- (Optional) Scouts can share one phrase they used or heard that felt powerful or clear.
Examples of Crossing Body Boundaries
Here’s a list of boundary-crossing examples. Each one focuses on everyday situations scouts might recognize or experience, without being too personal or sensitive. These examples can help spark thoughtful discussion and respectful role-play.
- Asking for a hug when someone isn’t comfortable
- Touching someone’s hair without asking first
- Giving a task that feels physically too hard or unsafe
- Teasing someone about their body or appearance
- Making loud or rude comments about someone’s body
- Crowding someone’s personal space without noticing
- Grabbing someone’s arm or clothing without permission
- Roughhousing too hard during play
- Talking about someone’s weight or height in a mean way
- Blocking someone’s movement or cornering them
- Refusing to stop tickling when asked
- Telling someone what they “should” look like or wear
- Insisting someone do an activity they’re uncomfortable with
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