The Badge Archive

• Fulfills Step 2 of GSUSA Budget Builder badge requirements.

Items Needed:

• Poster board or large paper (1 per scout)
• Crayons, markers, or colored pencils
• Safety scissors
• Tape or glue stick
• Magazines, store ads, or catalogs (shared)
• Optional: Brownie Budget Builder Wants of Needs? by GSUSA

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Instructions (Recommended Time: 35–40 minutes):

1. Set Up (5 minutes)
   • Scouts get a large piece of paper and draw a line down the middle. One side says “Wants” and the other “Needs” (help with writing if needed).
2. Talk and Think (5 minutes)
   • Scouts think about the difference:
     • Needs = things we must have to stay safe and healthy
     • Wants = things we enjoy but don’t need
   • They can share examples as a group or just think quietly.
3. Find Pictures (10–12 minutes)
   • Scouts look through magazines and store ads.
   • They cut out things they believe are wants or needs.
4. Make the Collage (10–12 minutes)
   • They glue or tape the pictures into the correct side.
   • They can also draw extra things or add words.
5. Share and Reflect (5–6 minutes)
   • Scouts share their collage with a buddy or small group:
     • What’s something they think everyone needs?
     • What’s one thing they put in the “wants” side that someone else might call a “need”?