GS* Birthday Patch Program®
This 2″ iron-on embroidered patch is part of our patch program®. Print our challenge worksheet.
Suggestions for how Scouts of all levels can earn the GS* Birthday Patch:
Choose a Birthday Related Service Project
Ask around in your community. Your local food pantries, shelters, hospitals, school nurses are a good place to start. Find out if programs exist or find out if you can start a new program (opportunity for a Bronze, Silver or Gold Award idea here!) There are many national and international birthday programs. Join in with one of them or use some of their ideas to kick off your own program.
Make Birthday Cards and Banners
Sending birthday messages to sick or lonely people can really brighten their day. Spend a meeting making cards, invite friends and family to join you or even have a community event. The Soldiers Angels organization has a program to distribute birthday cards to the military. The Confetti Project is looking for donations of homemade birthday banners.
Donate Birthdays in a Box
Families in crisis cannot always provide the basics needed for giving their child a happy birthday. Put together boxes of cake mix, frosting and candles to donate to shelters or food pantries. You can add other items like a small gift or paper goods. Do a drive outside you local supermarket or place donation boxes around the neighborhood. The Confetti Foundation has a wish list for supplies needed to make their birthday boxes for hospitalized children.
Host a Birthday Party
Find someone in your community with a birthday this month. It could be special needs child, a child who is new to the neighborhood, a senior turning 100 years old, a child in a shelter or anyone who would normally not be having a big celebration. Throw a special party they will always remember. You could also pledge to throw monthly parties at your local VA hospital or assisted living and include everyone who has a birthday that month. Check with the Birthday Party Project. They throw parties for homeless children and there are opportunities to join with them.
Set a Goal.
Challenge yourself
Print our worksheet. Set a troop goal or individual goals and make a contract to reach it.