The Badge Archive

Outdoor Meditation Trial

Fulfills Step 3 of GSUSA Mind, Body, Me badge requirements.

Info Needed: Scouts explore how outdoor activities support mental and physical wellness by actively engaging with nature through movement or meditation.

Items Needed:

  • Device with internet access (computer, tablet, or phone).
  • (Optional) Towel or yoga mat for seated meditation.
  • (Optional) Access to an outdoor space or quiet indoor area.

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

  1. Explore Basic Meditation Techniques (Estimated Time: 5–10 min)
    • Scouts use a device to research or watch short online videos about beginner-friendly meditation. (See Options Below).
    • They focus on understanding how to gently shift attention to breath, sounds, and surroundings.
  2. Try Outdoor or Nature-Enhanced Meditation (Estimated Time: 10–15 min)
    • Scouts go outdoors to sit or stand quietly in nature.
    • They practice focusing on what they hear, smell, feel, or see in that moment.
    • (Optional) If outdoor access isn’t available, scouts meditate indoors near a window, in sunlight, with fresh air, or with recorded nature sounds.
  3. Reflect on the Experience (Estimated Time: 5 min)
    • Scouts consider how they felt before, during, and after their meditation time.
    • (Optional) They can journal one sentence or share quietly with a peer or leader about what they noticed or appreciated.

Basic Meditation Video Options

  1. 10-Minute Meditation for Beginners – Goodful
    A gentle, guided session with breathing, body scan, and encouragement to stay present.
  2. 5-Minute Meditation You Can Do Anywhere – Goodful
    Quick and calming, this video focuses on breath, body awareness, and positive reflection.
  3. 10-Min Guided Meditation – Fit Tuber
    Uses the Aana Paana technique to help scouts focus on natural breath and ignore distractions.
  4. Free 10-Minute Guided Meditations – BeExtraYoga
    A collection of themed meditations like “Exhale Worry” and “Release and Relax” — great for scouts who want variety.
  5. Guided Mindfulness Meditation – YouTube Music
    A 10-minute daily meditation for stress relief with simple techniques for beginners.

Recorded Nature Sound Options

  1. 10-Minute Forest Morning – Birds Chirping (Goodful)
    Gentle bird songs and rustling leaves in a peaceful forest setting.
  2. Peaceful Forest Morning – Birds Chirping (Yellow Brick Cinema)
    A calm blend of ambient forest sounds to support quiet focus and breathwork.
  3. Ocean Sounds – National Geographic
    Serene underwater views paired with relaxing ocean tones and marine life.
  4. Stream in Deep Forest – Insight Timer (Audio Only)
    Pure stream sounds recorded in Oregon’s public lands — no music, just nature.
  5. Relaxing Landscape Ambience – Rain & Rest
    A mix of soft rain, wind, and birdsong, perfect for grounding and mindfulness indoors.
Tia Kennard