The Badge Archive

Try Out Physical Skills

Fulfills Step 1 of GSUSA Uniquely Us badge requirements.

Info Needed: Scouts try different physical skills and reflect on how every body is unique. Some skills are easy for some, tricky for others, and that’s okay.

Items Needed:

  • Physical Skills List (printed or written on a board) – See sample below
  • Open space to try out movements safely
  • (Optional) Stickers, dots, or checkmarks for tracking
  • (Optional) Paper and crayons or pencils for reflection

Instructions (Estimated Total Time: 25–40 minutes):

  1. Pick Skill Categories (5–7 minutes)
    • Scout reviews the physical skill list.
    • As a group, they vote on two skill types to explore (e.g., Balance, Flexibility).
    • Mark or circle the chosen categories clearly.
  2. Try Out Skills (15–18 minutes)
    • Scout tries each movement or skill from the selected categories.
    • If a skill feels hard, they pause or modify it to match their own comfort.
    • Scouts notice which skills felt smooth, silly, surprising, or challenging.
    • (Optional) Use stickers, dots, or checkmarks to show “tried it” and “still practicing.”
    • Remind scouts it’s not about who can do the most, it’s about learning and trying.
  3. Reflect and Celebrate (5 –15 minutes)
    • Remind scouts that every body is awesome in its own way: stretchy, strong, wiggly, or playful.
    • (Optional) Draw or write about one skill that felt exciting, silly, or surprising.

Sample Physical Skill Test

Movement & Strength

  • Do a cartwheel
  • Hold a plank pose for 10 seconds
  • Do five squats or sit-to-stands
  • Jump rope for 30 seconds
  • Do a crab walk across the room
  • Do 10 jumping jacks

Flexibility & Control

  • Touch toes with straight legs
  • Hold a yoga pose (like Tree, Warrior, Cat/Cow)
  • Do a slow-motion spin or twirl
  • Stretch arms behind back and clasp hands
  • Roll slowly on the floor like a pencil
  • Reach both arms up and lean side to side

Focus & Precision

  • Toss a small object in the air and catch it
  • Walk heel-to-toe across the room without wobbling
  • Stack items in a tower without it falling
  • Tap one foot quickly five times, then switch feet
  • Draw a shape in the air with your finger while standing on one foot
  • Pretend to be a statue and freeze for 20 seconds

Balance

  • Balance on one foot with eyes closed
  • Walk heel-to-toe across the room without wobbling
  • Hold a pose while reaching one arm and one leg out like a star
  • Slowly sit down and stand back up with no hands
  • Balance something (like a pillow or book) on your head while walking
  • Stand on tiptoe for 10 seconds without swaying
Tia Kennard