Juniors (Grades 4-5)
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Juniors

Juniors (Grades 4-5)

Girl Scout Juniors is the third level in Girl Scouts and is open to girls in grades 4-5.

Juniors are explorers, entrepreneurs, and scientists. They’re change-makers, big-idea thinkers, and future leaders. A Girl Scout Junior wakes up every day ready to play a new role and change the world for the better!

The activities below have been adapted from existing Girl Scout programming and optimized for use at home during a period of social distancing.

Not a Girl Scout? Not a problem! We're making select Girl Scout program resources available to every girl, parent, caregiver, volunteer, and troop leader. It's our way of doing our part during these challenging times, and to do what Girl Scouts always do: make the world a better place. And of course, if you'd like to learn more about joining Girl Scouts, we're here for you!

STEM Activities

Junior Cybersecurity Basics

Junior Cybersecurity Basics Badge: Roll with Protocols

Explore how computers send and receive information when sending messages. They find out how computers use protocols and play a game to create their own.

Adapted from Step 3 of the Junior Cybersecurity Basics badge.

Purpose: Explore how computers send and receive information when sending messages. They find out how computers use protocols and play a game to create their own.

Setup: Protocols are important in everyday life. A protocol is a set of rules that says exactly how something should be done. When computers share data, they follow a set of rules or protocols. This makes it easier and safer for the computers to share information.

Time needed: 15 minutes

Materials needed:

  • Two dice
  • One sheet of paper
  • Pen or pencil

Activity:

When computers want to share information safely, they have a set of rules or protocols that the computers must follow in order to pass the information. Just like a programmer, see if you can create a protocol that others can follow using a pair of dice!

First, assign protocols to each number on a dice. Since there are six numbers on each dice, you’ll need six protocols or rules—one for each number. You can do this by creating a list of six rules.

 

Here’s an example of a protocol to stay active:

  1. Spin around three times
  2. Do five jumping jacks
  3. Jump into the air
  4. Do your favorite dance move
  5. Clap your hands five times fast
  6. Raise your hands above your head and wiggle your fingers

As you develop your protocol, write your list of rules and the assigned numbers on a sheet of paper. If you wrote the protocol above, someone could then roll the dice and have to follow the protocol or rule you assigned to that number. For example, if they roll a 1 and the protocol for 1 is "spin around three times," that's what they have to do!

Once you have your set of protocols, invite your sibling or any adults in your family to take turns rolling the dice and following the protocol assigned to that number.

After you’ve had someone test your protocols, give them another chance to roll the dice. However, this time, they can choose to follow a protocol or not. They may want to do something different or do nothing at all!

After, talk about how the two rounds felt. How did your family feel when they had to follow a protocol they didn’t feel like doing? How did they feel when they had the choice to follow the rules or not?

Then, brainstorm more about protocols! Ask yourself:

  • Why do you think protocols are important in computers?
  • Where else do you see or use protocols in everyday life?
  • When else might they be useful?
Junior Think Like A Programmer

Junior Think Like a Programmer Journey: Personal Innovations

Learn about algorithms and innovation. They create algorithms to teach others something that they’re good at and create a rapid prototype to innovate their process.

Adapted from the Junior Think Like a Programmer Journey - Meeting 3, Activity 3.

Purpose: Learn about algorithms and innovation. They create algorithms to teach others something that they’re good at and create a rapid prototype to innovate their process.

Setup: Computers can only do things they’re told to do. So, computer scientists use a special language, called code, to tell computers what to do. They write a list of steps in code that a computer then follows. That list of steps is called an algorithm. You can write or follow an algorithm to complete any type of task.

When people make something new or improve something, that's called innovation. Programmers, inventors, and designers all over are working to build innovative technology, like cars that drive themselves or robots that go deep underwater.

Time needed: 20-30 minutes

Materials needed:

  • 1 blank sheet of paper
  • 1 larger poster or sheet of chart paper
  • Markers or colored pencils

Activity:

To get started, think of something that you could teach to somebody else in 15 minutes, based on what you're really good at. Maybe you know how to draw a house, make a cootie-catcher, make a smoothie, do a dance move, or shoot a basket.

Once you know what you want to teach others, create an algorithm with three or more steps.

Write a list of the steps, with each step on a new line. 

After you write your algorithm, test it by following the steps.

How did you do? Were you able to follow the algorithm? If not, that’s okay! This often happens to computer scientists! In computer science, a problem or error in your code is called a bug. When you find and fix a bug, it's called debugging.

For the last part of the activity, you're going to do something called "rapid prototyping." A prototype is a rough model of your idea or design that you can show to other people. It can be as simple as a drawing, or it can be created with common materials such as cardboard, paper, string, and rubber bands. When you make different prototypes of your idea, you can see what works and what doesn't.

Now, think of the task you just created an algorithm for: how could technology be used to make it easier or more fun?

Create a prototype of your new technology by sketching it on a large sheet of paper.

Remember, this is a rapid prototype! That means you're going to be working fast! That way you can quickly see what works and what doesn't.

Once you’ve sketched your prototype, share it with others and continue to look for ways to make it even better.

Permission for use of Code.org activities is provided by Code.org, a non-profit dedicated to giving every student in every school the opportunity to learn computer science. See www.code.org.

Junior Space Science Investigator

Junior Space Science Investigator Badge: Be a Mission Specialist for a Planet

Explore  a planet in step 4 of the Space Science Investigator badge. They become Mission Specialists for another planet in our Solar System and create a fun travel brochure for tourists visiting that planet. 

  Download the official Badge Booklet 

Adapted from Step 1 of the Junior Space Investigator badge. Download for free the official Badge Booklet to complete all badge requirements and earn a Junior Space Science badge.

Purpose: Explore a planet in step 4 of the Space Science Investigator badge. They become Mission Specialists for another planet in our Solar System and create a fun travel brochure for tourists visiting that planet.

Time needed: 40 minutes

Materials needed:

  • Photos of your chosen planet
  • Scissors
  • Tape
  • Glue
  • Art supplies
  • Old magazines
  • Found items for props

Setup: Today, we’re going to be Mission Specialists, leading tours of planets in our Solar System! Have you ever taken a tour? What was your favorite part? What do you think should be included on a tour of a planet? These are all questions you can think about as you get to know a planet.

To help decide which planet to feature, please review the Planet Resources sheet for pictures and facts to include. You may also access the internet for additional online research with an adult to learn about planets and view cool posters. 

Activity: To get started, gather research and photos or drawings of your chosen planet, scissors, tape, glue, art supplies, old magazines, and found items for props.

Like a good scientist, use the research and photos from the Planet Resources handout. Put the photos or drawings into the brochure to highlight special things about the planet. Be sure to include facts and the name of a robotic spacecraft or lander that has already explored your planet. Be creative!

What technology or tools were used to research your planet? Tools are very important to scientists as they explore new things—be sure to draw attention to them and the discoveries they contributed to.

How fun and interesting can you make your brochure? 

Find a corner in a room of your house to represent your planet—use your imagination! 

Once you've finished, you can lead your family on a tour of your planet. Make the tour as interactive and fun as possible!

Outdoor Activities

Girl Scouts Love The Outdoors Challenge

Summer is the perfect time to get outdoors safely while social distancing! While you’re at it, join the Girl Scouts Love the Outdoors Challenge—complete the designated number of activities and earn yourself a cool new patch. Use #gsoutdoors to share your story and to see how other girls are completing this fun outdoor challenge.


Learn more.

Junior Outdoor Art Explorer

Junior Outdoor Art Explorer Badge: Make an Outdoor-Themed Impression

Make an outdoor-themed Impression using clay or salt dough, make an outdoor-themed impression. You might collect leaves or shells, or anything that’s unique to the area where you live. 

  Download the official Badge Booklet

Adapted from Step 2 of the Junior Ourdoor Art Explorer badge. Download for free the official Badge Booklet to complete all badge requirements and earn a Junior Outdoor Art Explorer badge.

Time needed: 15-30 minutes + time to bake clay impressions

Materials Needed:

  • Clay or salt dough
  • Access to an outside area 

Make an outdoor-themed Impression. 
Using clay or salt dough, make an outdoor-themed impression. You might collect leaves or shells, or anything that’s unique to the area where you live. 

Press your found objects into the clay or dough, then remove them and return them to the place where they were found. If you’d like to hang your impression when it’s finished, make a hole at the top for string. (You may need to re-poke the hole a few times as your impression dries to keep it from closing up.) Your impression can be dried in the oven on low heat—ask an adult for help—or outside in the sun on a hot day. 

For More FUN: Make your own salt dough!

Materials:

  • 3 cups flour
  • 1 cup salt
  • 1 cup water (plus up to 1/2 cup extra water, if needed)
  • Food coloring (optional) 
  • Electric mixer
  • Stainless Steel Straw, Chopstick, Skewer, Stick (optional)
  • Parchment paper or aluminum foil

Instructions:

  • Mix the flour and salt together in a bowl
  • Add 1 cup of water to the flour mix. To make colored dough, add 15 drops of food coloring to the water before mixing it into the dough.
  • Use the electric mixer to mix the dough on medium speed until a ball forms. If the dough is dry, slowly add water (1 tablespoon at a time) until the dough comes together. 
  • Remove the dough; knead until smooth. 
  • Form the dough into disks and make your impressions. If you want to hang your finished project, use a straw to poke a hole at the top. 
  • With adult help, preheat the oven to 275 degrees.
  • Bake dough pieces on a foil- or parchment paper-lined cookie sheet for 2 hours. Cool completely before handling.
Junior Eco Camper

Junior Eco Camper Badge: Plan Meals with a Pizza Box Solar Cooker

Make a solar box cooker and cook something simple. TO use this, make sure you have enough sunlight. Do not try this when the sky is cloudy or when the sun is low in the sky. Follow the directions below for making a Pizza Box Solar Cooker. 

  Purchase the official Badge Booklet

Adapted from Step 2 of the Junior Eco Camper badge. Purchase the official Badge Booklet to complete all badge requirements and earn a Junior Eco Camper badge.

Time Needed: 1 hour

Materials Needed:

  • Pizza box
  • Ruler
  • Utility knife
  • Aluminum foil
  • Plastic wrap
  • Tape or Glue
  • Black construction paper
  • Black marker
  • Scissors
  • Food to cook

Make a solar box cooker and cook something simple. To use this, make sure you have enough sunlight. Do not try this when the sky is cloudy or when the sun is low in the sky. Follow the directions for making a Pizza Box Solar Cooker or on page 5 of the Junior Badge booklet. . Don’t try to cook meat, fish, or poultry—those are dangerous to eat when undercooked, so leave that to more experienced solar chefs. You could make a grilled cheese sandwich. Or try nachos—put tortilla chips covered with shredded cheese in a pie tin. See how long it takes for the cheese to melt and chips to become crisp and gooey! Try making a s’more with a graham cracker, marshmallow, and chocolate. Or roast apple slices topped with cinnamon sugar.

This badge also gives girls a great opportunity to learn more about the principles of Leave No Trace. For More FUN: create a skit about a Leave No Trace principle and share live through a video conference with your troop mates!

 Entrepreneurship Activities

Junior Savvy Shopper

Junior Savvy Shopper Badge: Explore Your Needs and Wants

Girls learn the difference between wants and needs so they are ready to be money savvy.

Adapted from Step 1 of the Junior Savvy Shopper badge.

Time needed: 30-45 minutes

Materials needed:

  • Paper cut into strips
  • Pen or pencil

Purpose: Girls learn the difference between wants and needs so they are ready to be money savvy.

Setup: Food and water, clean clothes, a place to live: these are things everyone needs. A closet full of shoes, a new desk, tickets to a movie: these are things people want. This activity will help you discover the difference between wants and needs in the world around you.

Activity: Take a home tour. Starting in the room where you sleep, write down at least five items in each room from your home. Write each item on its own scrap of paper. When you’ve completed your tour, find an open space and line up the papers from the item you need the most to the item you need the least. Then talk to your family about what you discovered.

Junior Business Owner

Junior Business Owner Badge: Explore Businesses You Might Like to Start Someday

Girls explore business ideas they might like to start one day. 

Adapted from Step 1 of the Junior Business Owner badge.

Time needed: 30-45 minutes

Materials needed:

  • Sheet of paper
  • Pen or pencil

Purpose: Girls explore business ideas they might like to start one day.

Setup: All businesses start with an idea. To bring your idea to life, you will need to learn about consumer research, offering great customer service, and more. Let’s start with coming up with your own business idea. In this activity, you will explore your interests, hobbies, and talents.

Activity: Make a list of your top interests, hobbies, and talents, and then select one that you could imagine turning into a business. On a blank sheet of paper, write that interest in the middle, then think of all the business ideas you can related to that topic. For example, pet lovers might think about working as a pet groomer, veterinarian, pet-store owner, or dog trainer. Ask your family to help you think of new ideas if you get stuck. Then talk to them about what training or education you might need to run this business. With adult help, look for answers to your questions online. 

Life Skills Activities

Surviving Middle School Jun 17-18

The transition from elementary to middle school can be tough. Girl Scouts of West Central Florida wants to help with that!

This brand-new event will cover everything from lockers to lunchrooms. We want to give fifth graders (Girl Scout Juniors) a place to learn about this new chapter in their school careers and what to expect when they start it.

There will be a panel of middle school girls (Girl Scout Cadettes) ready to offer their perspective and answer any questions attendees may have.

This online event is open to all fifth grade girls, regardless of Girl Scout membership. This event is spread out over two days. Girls should plan to attend both dates and times. The cost is $20 per girl. This event will be held on Zoom. Participants will be emailed a link after registration.

Register Now!

Questions? Contact Alison Wernicke.

Girl Scout Bronze Award

Girl Scout Bronze Award: Even seemingly small actions can make a big impact

Girl Scouts are the youth leaders their communities need to create solutions to the new and ever-changing obstacles that arise from this global pandemic. 

Working as a team, 4th and 5th grade Girl Scouts earn the Bronze Award—the highest award for Girl Scout Juniors— by exploring and addressing a community issue that’s important to them. They’re leaders in the making! 

Interested in becoming a Bronze Award Girl Scout? Visit our Bronze Award webpage to learn how!  

When you’re ready to go, contact Alison Wernicke. 

Note: Girls, volunteers and families are encouraged to take the time and space they need to adjust to this period of rapid change and uncertainty. When they’re ready, we’re here to support Junior Girl Scouts to safely take action in their communities—whether it’s helping ensure kids are still getting the nourishment and enrichment they need out of school, responding to the possible ramifications of isolation during social distancing, adapting an existing project to positively impact local communities today or something else entirely! 

Junior Drawing

Junior Drawing Badge: Experiment with Different Materials

Set Up Your Artist Area. Near your object, choose a surface where you will draw. Set up your drawing tools (mediums) and paper.

Adapted from Step 1 of the Junior Drawing badge.

Time needed: 30-60 minutes

Materials needed: 

  • A still life object
  • Drawing paper or regular paper
  • 3 kinds of drawing tools (called mediums): colored pencils, regular pencils, charcoal, ink pen, markers, pastels or crayons.

Activity:  Set Up Your Artist Area.  Near your object, choose a surface where you will draw.   Set up your drawing tools (mediums), and paper.

Ready to draw? Look at your object and decide how you will begin to draw it.   Experiment with different mediums.  What you use to draw with can have a major effect on how your picture looks—and you might find you enjoy using some materials more than others! Find your favorite drawing tool—called a “medium”—by sketching the same still life three times, with a different medium each time. (A still life is an object that doesn’t move, like a bowl of fruit or a vase.) 

CHOICES—DO ONE: 

Try black and white. Draw your still life three times: with black pen, black colored pencil, and charcoal or regular pencil. 

OR 

Use color. Draw your still life three times: with colored pens, colored pencils, and crayons or pastels. 

OR 

Mix and match. Draw your still life three times with any combination you’d like. (Make each one different.) You might mix in chalk or outline color with black for a new look.

When you have finished your still life drawings, sign them at the bottom.  Clean up your artist area and put your drawing tools away so they can be used again. 

Will you give your favorite drawing a title like most artists do?  Which drawing medium did you like using best?  Share your painting with your family when it dries!

Junior Staying Fit

Junior Staying Fit Badge: Create a Stress-Free Zone

Find a place in your home or outside that you can go when you feel stressed.

Adapted from Step 3 of the Junior Staying Fit badge.

Time needed: 15–30 minutes

Materials needed: None

Activity: Find a place in your home or outside that you can go when you feel stressed. Take a bag of your favorite things with you and spend 15 minutes there the next three times you need a break. Make it a quiet and relaxing place, or a loud dancing/jumping around area (so long as you’re not stressing out someone else!).

  Service & Take Action Projects

Project Ideas

Giving back to the community is a longstanding Girl Scout tradition, and in current times of crisis that is no different. Here are some great ways to give back while practicing social distancing.

  Just For Fun

Boredom Busters

Troop Leaders: The instructions for all badge steps are available free of charge in your Girl Scout Volunteer Toolkit.


Let the adventure continue! Renew now!

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