The Badge Archive

Activity Description: Scouts observe and sketch body movements, then use those poses to create a four-panel comic that tells a story through action.

• Fulfills Step 4 of GSUSA Cadette Comic Artist badge requirements.

Info Needed: A sample comic should fit into four panels and use facial expressions or body posture to show what’s happening. Each panel should move the story forward, even without words. You can focus on how characters feel, move, or react.

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Items Needed:

• Pens or pencils
• Paper (plenty for each Scout)
• Blank 4-panel comic grid handout for each scout
• (Optional) Body expressions reference sheet – Expressions by The Badge Archive

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

1. Pair up and take turns posing in different actions. (5 min)
   • Scouts try movements like standing, shrugging, running, jumping, or crouching.
   • (Optional) Use a reference sheet to explore more pose ideas.
2. Observe and sketch each other’s body posture. (5–10 min)
   • Scouts focus on how movement and position show emotion or action.
   • (Optional) Scouts can use stick figures to show motion if they prefer simple drawings.
3. Refine sketches to highlight how body language tells a story. (5 min)
   • Scouts keep facial expressions neutral and rely on posture to show what’s happening.
4. Choose a challenge to plan a four-panel comic using body movement. (2 min)
   • Scouts use a real-life event.
   • Scouts use a scene from a book or movie they know well.
   • Scouts create a new story idea and keep it simple.
5. Create a comic using for their chosen story type. (5 min)
   • Scouts decide how to use poses to move the story forward without words.
   • Scouts should use simple outlines and sketches for their comic. If they want to do detailed drawings, plan an extra 30 minutes to give them enough time to complete their work.