Fulfills Step 5 of GSUSA Mind, Body, Me badge requirements.
Info Needed: Emotional wellness and stress affect the body. You can use creative or calming techniques to improve mental and physical health.
Items Needed:
- Computers, smartphones, or tablets (if session includes a virtual presentation).
- Art and writing supplies (paper, pencils, markers, clay, paint, etc.).
- (Optional) Headphones or quiet space.
- (Optional) Scout-provided materials if they’ve planned in advance.
Instructions (Estimated Total Time: 25–30 min):
- Learn about creative art therapy. (Estimated Time: 5–8 min)
- Scouts are told that Creative art therapy uses any form of art, drawing, music, movement, sculpting, or writing, to support mental wellness. The focus is on expression and reflection, not on creating a perfect final product.
- Leader may prepare resources in advance or invite a local speaker to share basics.
- (Optional) Scouts ask questions or react to one idea that stood out to them.
- Try an expressive art activity. (Estimated Time: 10–15 min)
- Scouts choose a form of art that feels meaningful to them, drawing, sculpting, dancing, writing, playing music, etc.
- Scouts focus on how the activity feels, not how it looks or sounds.
- Encourage slow, reflective pacing to allow room for emotional release and creativity.
- (Optional) Leader provides music, visuals, or prompts to help scouts begin.
- Reflect on the experience. (Estimated Time: 5–7 min)
- Scouts think about how they felt before, during, and after the creative activity.
- Scouts may discuss or describe what the process revealed about their mood or thoughts.
- (Optional) Scouts share their work or experience with the group, but sharing is not required.
The Badge Archive 