The Badge Archive

Activity Description: Scouts act out emotions using body language while others guess the feeling, then reflect on what helped them understand each one.

• Fulfills Step 3 of GSUSA Me Time badge requirements.

Info Needed: Scouts practice identifying and expressing emotions through body language by acting out examples for others to guess.

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Items Needed:

• Filled-out index cards with examples of positive body language (See sample list below)
• Pencil or pen (optional for adding more cards)

Instructions (Estimated Total Time: 20–30 minutes):

1. Prepare and Choose a Card (3–5 minutes)
   • Scout selects an index card with a body language prompt
   • Each scout takes a moment to think about how they’ll show the emotion with their body only, no words or sounds
2. Act It Out and Guess (12–15 minutes)
   • One scout acts out the card while others guess what body language or feeling is being shown
     • Movements may include gestures, expressions, posture changes
     • If guessing is too tricky, scout says what the card was and moves on
3. Reflect Together (5–10 minutes)
   • Scouts talk briefly about what helped them guess certain emotions
   • Optional: share which body language was easiest or most fun to act out
   • Scouts learn that everyone expresses themselves differently, and that’s okay

Sample Body Language Prompts:

• Excited to go somewhere
• Happy with a play you just saw
• You just go joyful news
• Reaching out for help
• Waving to someone you know
• Deep in thought
• You agree with someone
• Sitting calmly and peacefully
• Feeling silly
• Looking nervous before a big moment
• Showing surprise
• Feeling confident
• Listening closely
• Feeling shy
• Stretching to relax
• Dancing with happiness
• Feeling brave
• Showing frustration
• Feeling playful
• Acting shy when meeting someone new
• Soothing someone to sleep
• Being quiet
• Late at night when you are tired
• Regretting something you said
• Receiving a great gift
• Trying not to laugh
• Curious about something
• Disagree with someone
• Bored and alone
• Marching up to get an award
• Crossing the street safely
• Swaying calmly side to side

Samples of Movements for Emotions

• Feeling proud: stand tall with hands on hips and a smile
• Being shy: glance down, tuck chin, and gently fold arms
• Feeling excited: bounce on toes and wave arms
• Feeling relaxed: stretch arms slowly and sigh softly
• Feeling curious: tilt head and lean forward slightly
• Feeling confident: walk with strong posture and focused eyes
• Being playful: wiggle shoulders or dance in place
• Feeling sleepy: yawn and rub eyes
• Feeling surprised: open eyes wide and gasp silently
• Feeling brave: take a step forward and make a bold pose
• Feeling frustrated: cross arms and scrunch face
• Feeling silly: make a funny pose with giggles or wiggles
• Feeling joyful: jump and throw hands up like celebrating
• Feeling calm: sit cross-legged with a soft smile and slow breathing
• Feeling unsure: shift feet and look side to side quietly

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