Yes – 2011 Is the current GSUSA badge
Images on this page are original artwork by The Badge Archive. This site does not display official GSUSA badges. Visit the GSUSA shop to view and purchase official merchandise.
Released in 2011.
The 2011 Junior Page has information on when all badges were released.
What is this badge about?
Fingerprinting, code breaking, observation games, and solve mysteries using evidence.
Quick Links:
Activity Choices, Meeting Plans, Solo Scouts,
Uniform Placement, GSUSA Info & Links
Our Summary* of Requirements:
- Play an observation video/game (shake up a room) OR note three things you observe everyday for one week.
- Write a code (morse, pigpen, transposition, alphabet, symbol, OR invisible ink) and solve a code.
- Make a fingerprint and identify the fingerprint pattern.
- Compare evidence (handwriting, fabrics, OR soil) OR learn how DNA works.
- Solve and make clues (clue hunt, OR “on the scene”) OR solve 3 online mysteries (FBI kids, OR Planet Science).
* – This summary is based off the GSUSA booklet activity choices.
Activity Choices
Work in Progress, links may not be available. Check back later!
Do five Required Activities:
- Pick one Observation activity.
- Pick one Writing a Mystery Code activity.
- Pick one Fingerprinting activity.
- Pick one Forensic Science activity.
- Pick one Solve a Mystery activity.
Available Troop Meeting Plans
- (1) 90 Min Mtg – Meeting Plan at Earn Junior Girl Scout Badges Blog
- (2) 90 Min Mtgs – Mtg 1 and Mtg 2 from GSRV (River Valley)
- (2) 90 Min Mtgs – GSUSA Volunteer Toolkit (VTK) free plan
- Mtg 1: Observation (One-Minute Video, Shake Up a Room, OR Take Notice), AND Codes (Classic Codes, Create a Code, OR Invisible Inks)
- Mtg 2: Fingerprints (3 Sets, ID Card, OR Police Department), Evidence (3 Kinds, DNA, or Handwriting), AND Mystery (Clue Hunt, On the Scene, OR 3 Online Mysteries)
- (1) Virtual Mtg – Slideshow PDF from GSEP
- (1) Virtual Mtg – Slideshow Google Doc from GSNWGL
- (1) Virtual Mtgs – Archived Copy of Part 2 from GSWNY – Original Link 1 and Link 2
Special Mention: Mysteries to solve for Step 5 –
- Camp Trefoil Mystery for Step 5 by Troop 32064 from GSNCN
- Mad Scientist Escape Room for Step 5 by Troop 18440 from GSRV
- Cookie Mystery by Cristin Creates
- Buy 2025 WTD Escape Room at Teachers Pay Teachers by The Badge Archive
- Buy Printable Cadette Step 5 at Teachers Pay Teachers by Growing Girl Scout Helpers
- Buy Missing Troop Treats on Etsy by PuzzleQuestKids
How to earn individually as a Solo Scout?
- Activity packet from GSNEO
- Archived PDF from GSTOP – Original Link
- Video Walkthrough from Better Science Teaching
- 5 Video Walkthrough from GSLP
- Google Classroom (request by email/phone number) under “Virtual Badges for Juniors” from GSHS
- Buy Detective Booklet on Etsy by TroopLeaderHub
- Buy Activity Booklet from Leader Connecting Leaders
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Is there a matching badge for Multi-Level Troops?
Learn about the Investigation Themed Multi-level GSUSA 2011 badges.
Where does this go on the Uniform?
This is a Skill Based Badge and goes on the troop number side of the vest – Click Here to see Junior diagrams and details on where to place it or sash placement.
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GSUSA Information and Details
There are five steps needed to complete this badge, found on the Girl Scout Shop description or searching the GSUSA Badge Explorer. Information on the official requirements can also be found on the Scout’s Honor Wiki.
Printed Booklets
Booklet and VTK Information(Coming Soon)- Buy the GSUSA Leader Guide Booklet
Other Non-GSUSA Resources
- Info webpage at Girl Scout Wiki
- Selective Attention Test by Daniel Simons
- Camp Trefoil Mystery for Step 5 by Troop 32064 from GSNCN
- Mad Scientist Escape Room for Step 5 by Troop 18440 from GSRV
- Case of the Missing Cookies Intro and Google Form by GSCB
- Cookie Mystery by Cristin Creates
- Decoder Ring by Dabbles and Babbles
- Different Codes by Waterford.org
- Video for morse code necklace and finger printing from ScrapsKC
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For More Fun Ideas and Plans
Join the Girl Scout Daisy, Brownie, and Junior Leader Help Facebook Group
(Not an official GSUSA Group)
Join the Girl Scout Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador Leader Help Facebook Group
(Not an official GSUSA Group)
See other Recommended Facebook Groups for some Scouting Organizations
(No official Groups)
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Click Here -> To see information References:
Disclaimer: The information published on The Badge Archive is built from the references listed below. These sources demonstrate that our content is grounded in facts and research, not opinion or speculation. Readers may consult them directly when looking for additional material.
- Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. “Meeting : Detective 1.” My.girlscouts.org, Girl Scouts of the U.S.A., https://my.girlscouts.org/content/girlscouts-vtk/en/vtk.html. Accessed 23 Jan. 2026.
- Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. “Meeting : Detective 2.” My.girlscouts.org, Girl Scouts of the U.S.A., https://my.girlscouts.org/content/girlscouts-vtk/en/vtk.html. Accessed 23 Jan. 2026.
- Roberts, Rachel. Junior the Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting. New York, NY, Girl Scouts of the U.S.A., 2011.
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- Find out how you can support The Badge Archive!
- Return to the 2011 Junior Badge List.
- Return to the 2011 Junior Badge Gallery (listed by release date).
Short Link: https://thebadgearchive.com/gsu-30-det/
