The Badge Archive

Pet Cleaning Demo

Fulfills Step 2 of GSUSA Brownie Pets badge requirements.

Items Needed

  • A pet enclosure (varies based on which activity you choose).
  • Cleaning supplies (varies based on which activity you choose).
  • A kid-friendly video tutorial or guest expert (optional).

Instructions

  1. Discussion:
    • Ask scouts where pets live and what they need to be comfortable.
    • Encourage them to guess and share ideas.
  2. Why Clean Spaces Matter:
    • Explain that dirty cages, crates, or tanks can make pets sick.
    • Keeping pet spaces clean helps them stay healthy and happy.
  3. Learn How to Clean:
    • Show a video tutorial, invite a guest expert, or lead a demonstration.
    • Teach step-by-step how to clean a pet enclosure properly.
  4. Scouts Try Cleaning:
    • Scouts take turns cleaning the provided pet home using safe techniques.
  5. Reflection:
    • Discuss whether cleaning a pet home was easier or harder than they expected.
    • Talk about how keeping a pet’s space clean is part of responsible pet care.

Dog Poop Cleanup

Items Needed

  • Tootsie Rolls (used as pretend dog poop).
  • Dog poop bags.

Set-Up

  • Scatter Tootsie Rolls in the grass as fake dog poop.

Activity

  • Scouts practice using poop bags to safely pick up the “poop”.
  • The leader decides how many need to be picked up—either one per scout or a set number per group.

Learning Focus

  • Keeping outdoor spaces clean and hygienic for pets and people.
  • Why proper disposal of pet waste is important.

Cleaning a Cat’s Litter Box

Items Needed

  • Small litter box.
  • Cat litter.
  • Tootsie Rolls (pretend poop).
  • Water (to create clumps like urine).

Set-Up

  • Place cat litter in the box.
  • Scatter Tootsie Rolls and add small amounts of water to create clumps.

Activity

  • Scouts practice scooping out waste and clumps to clean the litter box properly.

Learning Focus

  • Why cats need a clean litter box to stay healthy.
  • How often litter boxes should be cleaned and replaced.

Fish Tank Cleaning

Items Needed

  • Fish tank or bowl.
  • Algae scrubber.
  • Bowl of water.
  • Whipped cream (pretend algae).
  • Towels for cleanup.

Set-Up

  • Smear a thin layer of whipped cream on the inside of the tank/bowl to mimic algae buildup.

Activity

  • Scouts use an algae scrubber to clean off the “algae.”
  • Rinse the scrubber in the bowl of water until the tank looks clean.

Learning Focus

  • Why fish tanks need cleaning to keep fish healthy.
  • How to safely remove algae without harming fish.
Tia Kennard