The Badge Archive

Fulfills Step 2 of GSUSA Cadette Netiquette badge requirements.

Materials

• Pens or pencils
• Paper
• Sample kindness messages (examples written out or printed)
• Netiquette Tip Sheet

Instructions

1. Scouts pick three people they want to send kindness messages to over the next two weeks.
2. Brainstorm ideas for the kindness messages. These can include:
   • Compliments on something the person is good at
   • Positive things noticed about them
   • Encouraging words
3. Create a tracker to keep track of each kindness message, one for each of the three people they chose. A Kindness Tracker will be a sheet of paper they can write kindness message ideas and have a section for tally marks for each of their chosen people. Bonus – leave a section for them to write the person’s reactions.
   • Make a mark for every message given, sent, or said to one of the chosen people.
   • Count only one message per time scouts see someone.
   • Allow up to three messages sent electronically or by mail each day.
4. Have scouts change their Netiquette Tip sheets after creating possible kindness messages if needed.
5. Check back after the two weeks are up to see what they noticed about their people and how many messages were they able to get in during the challenge.

Kindness Message Samples

Here’s a list of kindness messages for middle schoolers, divided into different categories:

Friends

• “Hey, I just wanted to say you’re an awesome friend. Thanks for always being there!”
• “I saw your art project—it’s amazing! You’re so talented!”
• “Good luck on your test today. I know you’ll do great!”
• “Thanks for making me laugh so much. You’re the best!”
• “I’m so glad we’re friends. You make every day better!”
• “You’re such a great listener. Thanks for always being there when I need to talk!”
• “I had so much fun hanging out with you yesterday. You always make everything better!”
• “You’re seriously one of the kindest people I know. I’m lucky to have you as a friend!”
• “Thanks for sticking by me, no matter what. You’re a true friend!”
• “I believe in you—you’ve got this! Let me know how it goes!”

Family

• “Thanks for helping me with my homework yesterday. You’re the best!”
• “I appreciate everything you do for me—I’m really lucky to have you as my family.”
• “I noticed you’ve been working really hard lately. You’re doing an amazing job!”
• “I just wanted to let you know I love spending time with you.”
• “Thanks for always supporting me, even when I’m being difficult.”
• “Thanks for making my favorite meal the other night. You always know how to make me smile!”
• “You’re the best role model I could ask for. Thanks for always guiding me!”
• “I’m so grateful to have you in my life. You mean so much to me!”
• “Thanks for taking time to listen to me when I need to talk. It really helps!”
• “You’ve always believed in me, and I want you to know how much that means to me.”

Teachers or Mentors

• “Thank you for explaining that lesson today—it made so much sense!”
• “I really appreciate all the effort you put into teaching us. It means a lot!”
• “Thanks for always being patient and encouraging!”
• “The project we’re working on is really fun. Thanks for making it interesting!”
• “You’ve made such a positive impact on me. Thank you for being a great mentor.”
• “Your support really motivates me to keep improving—thank you for believing in me!”
• “I’ve learned so much from you, and I’m really grateful for all your guidance.”
• “Thanks for always taking the time to explain things when I don’t understand. It means a lot!”
• “You’ve made learning fun and exciting—I really appreciate all the effort you put into it!”
• “I look up to you as a role model. Thank you for teaching me not just about the subject, but about life.”

Teammates or Group Members

• “Great job in practice today—you’re amazing!”
• “Thanks for working so hard on our group project. You’re a great teammate!”
• “Your energy during the game was awesome—it helped keep us all motivated!”
• “I’m so impressed by how you handled that tough moment. You’re inspiring!”
• “Thanks for being such a supportive teammate. It makes a huge difference!”
• “You’re always coming up with the best ideas. I really admire how creative you are!”
• “You bring so much positivity to the team—it’s contagious! Thank you for that.”
• “I really appreciate how you always give 100%. It inspires me to work harder!”
• “You did an amazing job leading the team today. You’ve got great leadership skills!”
• “Thanks for stepping up when we needed help—you really made a difference!”
• “You always know how to keep the team focused and working together. It’s awesome to see!”
• “I love how supportive you are of everyone on the team. It makes being part of this group so much better.”

Neighbors

• “Thank you for always keeping your garden so beautiful—it brightens the neighborhood!”
• “I appreciate how friendly you are whenever we see each other.”
• “Thanks for helping out with the community event last week. It was awesome!”
• “I noticed you worked really hard on your yard cleanup. It looks fantastic!”
• “Thanks for being such a great neighbor—it makes the community feel welcoming.”
• “Your holiday decorations always make the street feel so festive—thank you for spreading cheer!”
• “I really appreciate how you always look out for everyone in the neighborhood.”
• “Thanks for sharing your knowledge about gardening—it’s so helpful and inspiring!”
• “You’re always so thoughtful and generous—I feel lucky to have you as a neighbor.”
• “It’s great to have someone like you who helps bring the community together!”

Community Members

• “Thank you for always being so friendly when I see you at the library. You make it a welcoming place!”
• “Thanks for organizing the event last weekend—it was so much fun!”
• “You do an amazing job keeping our neighborhood clean. Thank you for all your hard work!”
• “I appreciate how you make everyone feel included at the community center.”
• “Thank you for being such a great coach/leader! You’ve taught me a lot.”
• “The bake sale you organized was incredible—thank you for putting so much effort into it!”
• “I really admire how you always step up to help whenever the community needs support.”
• “Thanks for your kind words and encouragement—it makes a big difference to everyone you interact with!”
• “You make this community a better place just by being in it. Thank you for all you contribute!”
• These messages help emphasize appreciation for the hard work and kindness of community members! Let me know if you’d like more ideas. 😊