The Badge Archive

Marching Loops

Fulfills Step 2 of GSUSA Brownie, or Junior Coding Basics badge requirements.

Items Needed:

  • Knowledge on the basic Marching Commands
  • Pen/pencil and paper to write Marching Loops using the Marching Commands

Instructions:

  • Practice the basic Marching Commands to let the scouts get familiar with how each command moves. When marching forward, only take a 4-6 steps before halting.
  • Create three simple loops using the Marching Commands (see examples below). Remember to always start with the “Attention!” command and end with “Parade, Rest!” to make sure they can always move from one set of Loop commands to the next.
  • Give each set of instructions of a simple marching sequence a name or title like “Right Turn”.
  • Each loop is an algorithm. Have scouts decide how many times to repeat each loop in a new algorithm, keeping in mind where they end up. (For example, if they use “Right turn” four times, they actually go in a square and end up right where they started.)
  • Test their algorithm using the loops. Did they run into anything? Were there any problems transitioning from one loop to the next?

Example of a “Right Turn” Loop:

  • “Attention!”: Stand straight
  • “Forward, March!”: Start marching forward.
  • “Halt!”: Stop marching.
  • “Right, Face!”: Turn 90 degrees to the right.
  • “Forward, March!”: Start marching forward.
  • “Halt!”: Stop marching.
  • “Parade, Rest!”: Relax, move the left foot about 12 inches to the side, keep the right foot in place, and place hands behind your back, right hand over left.

Example of a “Left, Right, Spin” Loop:

  • “Attention!”: Stand straight
  • “Left, Face!”: Turn 90 degrees to the left.
  • “Right, Face!”: Turn 90 degrees to the right.
  • “About, Face!”: Turn 180 degrees to face the opposite direction.
  • “Parade, Rest!”: Relax, move the left foot about 12 inches to the side, keep the right foot in place, and place hands behind your back, right hand over left.
Tia Kennard