The Badge Archive

Supply Run Lines

Fulfills Steps 1 and 2 of GSUSA Brownie Automotive Manufacturing badge requirements.

Info Needed for Badge Requirements: Manufacturing is when we make items (products or goods) from materials and use people or machines to do it. In modern day, usually machines are used with human workers or computers operating the machines. The key to manufacturing is taking the steps needed to make an item and breaking them down into sections. Each machine or person is responsible to getting one part of making done and it moves on to the next machine or person. Eventually the item is complete but every person or machine only did a small part. This is called an assembly line.

The 5S system was started in Japan with the Japanese words: seiri, seiton, seiso, seiketsu and shitsuke. English found equivalent S words: sort, set in order, shine, standardize, and sustain

  • Sustain – Train new people to do the same and keep the 5S system long term.
  • Sort – Keep your workplace neat by only keeping what you need and removing anything you don’t.
  • Set in Order – Organize your workplace so items are easy to get to and use. Always return them to their spot.
  • Shine – Not only keep your workplace clean, but maintain all your tools and machines.
  • Standardize – Keep it up. Doing the first three steps once is not enough, you need to continue doing them regularly.

Items Needed:

Recommended one set for every 4-6 scouts.

  • Several sets of Assembly Line Game Cards by GSUSA. Print and cut out before meeting begins.
  • 12 zip-top bags for each set of cards.
  • Several sets of supplies. Each set should have:
    • 11 crayons
    • 9 markers
    • 14 paper clips
    • 11 pencils
  • Timer or stopwatch
  • (Optional) Copy of 5S Poster by GSUSA

Instructions (Estimated Time: 15-20 minutes):

  1. Quick Introduction (2 minutes)
    • Ask scouts, “What does it mean to work like a team to make something quickly and neatly?”
  2. Round 1 – No Plan (4 minutes)
    • Explain we are building a pretend “factory” that packs up items like a real assembly line.
    • Give each scout a bag and a game card.
    • Place supplies in the center of the room (one set for every 12 scouts doing this initial activity).
    • On “Go,” everyone rushes in to grab their items and pack their bag.
    • Stop after 2 minutes. Ask: Was it crowded? Did anyone forget a step?
  3. Introduce Assembly Line + 5S (3 minutes)
    • Share that real factories use assembly lines. Instead of one person doing all the steps, each person does just one.
    • Introduce 5S as a way to keep those steps organized:
      • Sort – Get only what’s needed
      • Set in Order – Put things in the right spot
      • Shine – Keep things clean
      • Standardize – Make sure everyone works the same way
      • Sustain – Keep it going smoothly
  4. Round 2 – With Assembly Line & 5S (5 minutes)
    • Split scouts into small groups of 4-6 each. Assign each scout a simple role in the assembly line (e.g., pass the bag, add an item, seal the bag).
    • Give each small group a set of supplies, cards, and bags on a table.
    • Allow them to set up their line, but keep the cards upside down and unseen before the start of the time.
    • Time the teams to see how many “orders” they can complete in 2 minutes.
    • Reflect: Was it easier? Faster? More fun?

Note to Leaders – You can learn more about manufacturing with a short video or a mini lesson. You can learn more about 5S manufacturing with a mini lesson.

Tia Kennard