Activity submitted by Acushnet GSEM Troop 63502
Activity Description: Scouts explore troop crest meanings through fun mini activities and vote for their favorite.
Info Needed: A troop Crest is a special symbol chosen by scouts to represent their shared values, goals, and spirit. Each Crest has a unique meaning, like teamwork, bravery, creativity, or friendship. Scouts learn what each Crest represents to find one one that reflects who they are and how they want to grow together.
Items Needed:
- Printed crest descriptions on cardstock
- Whiteboard and marker
- Small rubber balls or pom poms
- Jar or container
- Paper strips, tape, crayons, paper flowers
- Music player
- Tray of small objects
- (Optional) Rope or tape for spiral path
- (Optional) Stickers or smiley face token
- (Optional) Cones or markers for activity stations
Instructions (Estimated Total Time: 45–60 min):
- Divide scouts into three small groups (5 min)
- Each group receives 5–6 randomized crest cards.
- An adult helps read and explain each card.
- Choose two favorite crests per group (5–7 min)
- Scouts discuss and pick their top two based on meaning and connection to troop activities.
- Gather finalists and introduce activities (5 min)
- Bring all scouts together and share the 3–6 finalist crests.
- Prepare to try each mini activity that matches a finalist.
- Rotate through mini activities (25–30 min)
- Complete each station one at a time as a full troop.
- Encourage scouts to reflect on how each activity connects to the crest meaning.
- Vote for favorite crest (5–8 min)
- Number the finalist cards and write them on the whiteboard.
- Scouts vote one by one for their favorite.
- If needed, hold a tie-breaker vote.
- Celebrate the winning crest (2–5 min)
- Announce the winner and cheer together.
- Talk about how the chosen crest represents the troop.
Station Ideas
- Arrow – Forward Leap Challenge: Scouts hop forward one step at a time and share something they’re excited to try this year.
- Bee – Honey Relay: Scouts pass a pom pom (“honey drop”) down a line using teamwork to fill a jar without dropping it.
- Bluebird – Cheer Chain: Scouts say something that made them smile this week and pass along a smiley face token.
- Carnation – Energizer Dance: Scouts have a short dance party to a fun song to boost energy and joy.
- Crane – Crane Pose: Scouts balance on one leg like a crane and say something kind about someone in the troop.
- Eagle – Eye Spy: Scouts look at a tray of small objects, then try to remember and list as many as they can together after it’s covered.
- Lei – Friendship Chain: Scouts write their name on a paper strip and link them together to form a troop friendship chain.
- Lightning – Idea Spark: Scouts draw one cool idea they’d like to try with the troop using crayons and paper.
- Nautilus Shell – Growth Spiral: Scouts walk along a spiral path marked on the floor and say one new thing they’ve learned this year.
- Pansy – Kindness Petals: Scouts write or draw one kind thing on a paper flower petal, then glue all petals together into one big troop flower.
- Shooting Star – Star Strikes a Pose: Scouts take turns striking a silly or fun pose when the music stops while others cheer, “Shine bright!”
- Sun – Sunbeam Compliments: One scout stands in the center while others say something nice about them; rotate so everyone gets a turn.
- Trumpet – Bravery Call: Scouts take turns shouting one brave thing they’ve done, like a trumpet call.
- Unicorn – Bravery Stand: Scouts stand tall in a power pose and say one kind or brave word (like “strong” or “helper”) while the troop cheers.
- Waterfall – Waterfall Waves: Scouts line up and copy a movement down the line like flowing water, starting with the first scout.
- White Rose – Adventure Charades: Scouts act out a new adventure they’d like to try (like hiking or baking) while the troop guesses.
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