- Fulfills Step 4 of GSUSA Budget Builder badge requirements.
Items Needed:
- Paper
- Pencils or crayons
- Secondhand item flyers, catalogs, or sample prices
- Optional: Internet access to check prices with an adult
- Optional: Poster paper and markers for drawing
Instructions (Estimated Time: 20–30 minutes)
- Make a Wish List (5–7 minutes)
- Scouts write or draw five things they might want or need. Examples: a backpack, jacket, book, toy, or soccer ball.
- Search for Secondhand Options (10–15 minutes)
- Using printed ads or sample prices (or asking an adult), scouts pretend to find one or more of the items secondhand.
- They write down the secondhand price and guess what it might cost new.
- If it’s free from a neighbor or friend, they can write “free” as the price!
- Compare and Share (5–8 minutes)
- Scouts discuss in pairs or a group:
- What item did they find secondhand?
- How much did it save compared to buying new?
- Why might it be better for the planet?
- Scouts discuss in pairs or a group:
- Optional Activity: Make a Poster
- Scouts draw a mini-poster showing why secondhand shopping is smart.
- Ideas to include:
- Less packaging
- Saving money
- Helping the Earth
- Giving old things a new life
The Badge Archive 