The Badge Archive

Farm for Bugs

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.

Items Needed:

  • Access to a farm with outdoor space
  • One magnifying glass per scout
  • Optional: paper and pencil for notes or drawings

Instructions (Total Time: 60 minutes)

  1. Explore the Farm for Bugs (15–20 minutes)
    • Scouts walk around the farm with adult supervision
    • Use magnifying glasses to look closely at bugs in soil, on plants, or near animal areas
    • Observe bug movement, colors, and where they live
  2. Meet the Farmer (10–15 minutes)
    • A farmer explains how bugs help crops (like pollination or eating pests)
    • Scouts listen and ask questions about helpful and harmful bugs
  3. Reflect on Bug Discoveries (10–12 minutes)
    • Scouts share what bugs they saw and what surprised them
    • Talk about how some bugs protect plants or help the soil
  4. Wrap-Up Activity (10–13 minutes)
    • Scouts draw or describe their favorite farm bug
    • Review how bugs support farms and how to treat them kindly in nature
Tia Kennard