The Badge Archive

Bug Book Hunt

Fulfills Step 1 of GSUSA Bugs badge requirements.

Info Needed for Badge Requirements – See Below

Items Needed:

  • One nonfiction bug book per scout or per group
    • Or Field Trip to a library
  • Crayons or markers
  • Blank paper for drawing or writing
  • Quiet space for reading or listening

Instructions (Total Estimated Time: 35 minutes):

  1. Choose a Bug Book (5–10 minutes)
    • Select a nonfiction book about a real bug (not a cartoon or made-up insect)
    • Scouts may read independently, in pairs, or listen to a leader read aloud
  2. Read and Learn (10–15 minutes)
    • Scouts look for facts like where the bug lives, what it eats, and how it helps nature
    • Leaders may help explain new words or tricky parts
  3. Draw or Write About the Bug (8–10 minutes)
    • Scouts draw the bug they read about and add 2–3 facts from the book
    • Optional: label body parts or write a short sentence about what surprised them
  4. Share and Reflect (3–5 minutes)
    • Scouts show their paper to the group and share one thing they learned or liked

Info Required for Requirement 1 – For Any Bug

Where My Bug Lives
Example: forest, garden, under leaves, underground, on water
➤ _______________________________________________

How Long My Bug Lives
Example: a few weeks, a year, only as a caterpillar, long life like tarantulas
➤ _______________________________________________

What My Bug Eats
Example: plants, leaves, nectar, other bugs, wood, blood
➤ _______________________________________________

What’s Good About My Bug
Example: pollinates plants, cleans up nature, controls pests, makes silk
➤ _______________________________________________
➤ _______________________________________________

What’s Not So Good About My Bug
Example: may bite or sting, ruins plants, can be scary, spreads germs
➤ _______________________________________________
➤ _______________________________________________

Who My Bug’s Enemies Are
Example: birds, frogs, spiders, humans, other bugs
➤ _______________________________________________

Main Bug Parts (Label these on the poster if possible)

  • Head
  • Eyes
  • Antennae or feelers
  • Mouth or jaws
  • Legs (how many?)
  • Wings (if any)
  • Body sections (like thorax or abdomen)
  • Special parts (like spinnerets, stingers, pincers, proboscis)
Tia Kennard