The Badge Archive

Fulfills Step 5 of GSUSA Bugs badge requirements.

Info Needed for Badge Requirements: Scouts take a trip to explore and observe bugs in their natural environment.

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Items Needed:

• Admission to a museum, zoo, or botanical garden with a bug collection
• Optional: paper and pencil for note-taking or drawing

Instructions (Total Time: 60 minutes):

1. Explore the Exhibit (20–25 minutes)
   • Scouts walk through the bug collection with adult supervision
   • Notice details: how bugs are grouped, how they move, and what makes each one special
   • If available, observe live bugs in action
2. Ask Questions (10–15 minutes)
   • If bug experts or staff are available, encourage scouts to ask questions
   • Sample topics: bug behavior, why they’re useful, or where they’re found in nature
3. Reflect and Share (10–12 minutes)
   • Scouts share which bug they found most interesting or strange
   • Talk about how bugs were grouped and why that might be helpful
   • Optional: sketch a favorite bug or list one thing they learned
4. Optional Wrap-Up Activity (5–8 minutes)
   • Scouts draw or describe the coolest bug they saw
   • Share ideas about what bugs do for the environment