The Badge Archive

Activity Description: Scouts make a book that helps someone stay organized and feels special to receive.

• Fulfills Step 2 of GSUSA Daisy Create and Innovate badge requirements.
• Fulfills Step 2 of GSUSA Brownie Create and Innovate badge requirements.
• Fulfills Step 2 of GSUSA Junior Create and Innovate badge requirements.
• Fulfills Steps 3 and 4 of GSUSA Cadette Book Artist badge requirements.
• Leaders – please be aware of double dipping and make your own informed choice.

Info Needed: Books can be used to organize thoughts, track tasks, or remember important things. Anyone can design a book with a helpful purpose, such as a planner, calendar, journal, or memory book. When gifted to someone, the book should be both useful and beautiful.

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Items Needed:

• Paper (lined, blank, or printed templates)
• Cardstock or recycled packaging (for covers)
• Pencils, markers, crayons, or colored pencils
• Glue sticks or tape
• Scissors
• (Optional) Pre-printed pages to include
• (Optional) Stickers, ribbon, washi tape, or other decorations
• (Optional) Hole punch and string or binder rings
• (Optional) Envelopes or pockets to include inside the book

Instructions (Estimated Total Time: 25–45 min):

1. Choose the purpose of the book (3–5 min)
   • Scouts decide what kind of organizing book they want to make (planner, calendar, journal, memory book).
   • They choose who they want to give it to.
2. Prepare the pages (5–7 min)
   • Scouts gather and arrange paper for the inside of the book.
   • They can include checklists, blank pages, calendars, or writing prompts.
3. Make the cover (5–7 min)
   • Use cardstock or recycled packaging to create a sturdy front and back cover.
   • Decorate with drawings, stickers, or a title.
4. Bind the book (3–10 min)
   • Use a hole punch and string, binder rings, or tape to hold the pages together.
   • (Optional) Add envelopes or pockets inside for notes or keepsakes.
5. Add final touches (5–10 min)
   • Scouts personalize the book with kind messages, colorful designs, or helpful tips.
   • Make sure the book is ready to be used and enjoyed by the person receiving it.

Step by Step Tutorials

• Japanese Stitch Binding – YouTube
• Ribbon Bound Journal – Dot Com Women
• 10 Junk Journal Binding Ideas – House of Mahalo

Ideas for Pre-Printed Sheets Leaders Can Provide

These can be printed as half-sheets or full pages.

• Weekly Kindness Tracker
  “I was kind by…”
  “Someone was kind to me when…”
  “Kindness goal for next week:”
• Gratitude Journal Page
  “Today I’m thankful for…”
  “Something small that made me smile:”
  “A person I appreciate:”
• Mini Calendar Page
  (Month and days labeled, with space to draw or write)
  “Important dates”
  “Things I’m looking forward to”
• Checklist Page
  “Things I want to do this week”
  ☐ Help someone
  ☐ Try something new
  ☐ Clean up my space
  ☐ Make someone smile
• Memory or Scrapbook Page
  “This is a special moment I want to remember:”
  “Who was there?”
  “What happened?”
  “Why it mattered to me:”
• Goal Setting Page
  “One thing I want to get better at:”
  “Steps I can take:”
  “Who can help me?”
• Creative Prompt Page
  “Draw or write about a place that makes you feel happy.”
  “Invent a tool that helps someone.”
  “Design a badge for kindness.”

Kindergarten–2nd Grade Adaptions

• Use pre-cut pages with prompts. Include drawings, stickers, and simple checklists.
• Stick to assembly of a template with room for small adaptions.