These easy switches for retired badges save $1 per girl per badge. That adds up to … a lot!
Once official, always official
So far, there have been about six revisions to the official badge program. Each time, some badges are retired, some are re-vamped, and some are kept. Some of the current badges can trace their roots back over 100 years! These revisions have combined over time to create a library of hundreds of official, front-wearable badges available to today’s girls.
Retired badges are 100% GSUSA official, real, earnable, front-wearable badges with real requirements. They are not fake or alternative products, they are real badges. You just can’t get them in GS shops any more. But that’s what The Badge Fairy shop is for.
use resources wisely
Because these are retired badges, they can be collected gently used from former girl scouts. That’s what I do! I collect used uniforms, take them apart, clean up the badges and offer them in just the amount you need. Retired badges are $2.00 each in The Badge Fairy shop. Members have access to the full library of scanned requirements. You can sign up here.
retired badges are better quality
Retired badges have real embroidery, fully stitched borders, and sturdy backing fabric that holds up to ironing and sewing. They are thick and strong. Many have iron-on backing, but just like with all things, I always recommend sewing everything – tips here, here, and here.
top five easy swaps for brownies*
Here’s a list of my TOP FIVE suggestions. To find more, you can compare any of the retired books (like this one) to what’s on Badge Explorer. That’s what I did, and here’s what I came up with. But there are MANY possibilities, so keep looking and get creative! BTW, Retired Brownie Badges (also called Try-Its) are choose any FOUR requirements of however many are listed to earn.
Brownie Girl Scout Way > Girl Scout Ways
Dancer > Dancercize
Celebrating Community > Citizen Near and Far
Computer Expert > Point Click and Go
Painting > Colors and Shapes
top five for juniors*
Here’s my TOP FIVE suggestions. To find more, you can compare any of the retired books (like this one) to what’s on Badge Explorer. That’s what I did, and here’s what I came up with. But there are MANY possibilities, so keep looking and get creative! You can also see all my scanned reqs here. Most Junior badges from the retired programs are choose any SIX requirements to complete, but some books vary.
Junior Girl Scout Way > Girl Scouting Around the World
Drawing > Drawing and Painting
Horseback Riding > Horse Fan/Horse Rider
Jeweler > Jeweler
Simple Meals > Let’s Get Cooking
What about Daisies?
They’re too new – nothing from the Daisy program has been revised yet.
What about CSA?
This an excellent opportunity for older girls to take charge! Get them a book and set them loose. They can compare what’s on Badge Explorer to what’s in the old books and figure out what they want to do themselves. Unfortunately, IPs (the retired versions of badges that all C/S/A scouts earned) are a bit harder to collect as their demand was a bit lower the first time around. But they are out there! Try Girl Scout Treasure Hunters on facebook.
Inspired to do more?
Your girls can always earn retired badges, even ones that don’t match current programming. Check out lots more options in the Badge Fairy shop.
Other ideas?
Have you found any good matches or swaps? I want to hear about them! Please leave a comment below. Thanks for reading!
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