Activity Description: Scouts create a handmade accordion-style journal using recycled materials.
- Fulfills Step 3 of GSUSA Brownie Create and Innovate badge requirements.
- Fulfills Step 3 of GSUSA Junior Create and Innovate badge requirements.
- Fulfills Steps 3 and 5 of GSUSA Cadette Book Artist badge requirements.
- Leaders – please be aware of double dipping and make your own informed choice.
Info Needed for Craft and Tinker: Projects made from reused materials help reduce waste and protect the environment. Using scraps, packaging, and old paper keeps trash out of landfills. Making art from recycled items also shows how creativity can help a community by saving resources and sharing ideas in fun, thoughtful ways.
Info Needed for Book Artist: A junk journal is made from reused items and can be decorated with drawings, collages, or themed pages.
Items Needed:
- Cereal boxes or snack packaging (for covers)
- Scrap paper, old worksheets, junk mail, envelopes, or leftover craft paper
- Ribbon, yarn, rubber bands, or string (for binding)
- Stickers, fabric scraps, pressed leaves, or magazine cutouts (for decorating)
- Glue sticks, tape, scissors, hole punch
Instructions (Estimated Total Time: 20–40 min):
- Cut two rectangles from a cereal box (3–10 min)
- These will be used as the front and back covers of the journal.
- Accordion-fold a long strip of paper (3–7 min)
- Use one long piece or tape together shorter scraps to make a foldable strip.
- Glue the ends of the accordion to the covers (3–7 min)
- Attach one end to the inside of the front cover and the other to the back cover.
- Decorate each panel (5–10 min)
- Scouts can draw, collage, or create themed pages.
- (Optional) Add pockets or flaps (3–4 min)
- Use envelopes or folded paper to create interactive sections.
- Tie it closed with ribbon or string (2–3 min)
- Wrap the journal with ribbon or string to give it a finished look.
The Badge Archive 