Patch Purpose

The purpose of this patch program is to engage older Girl Scouts (Cadettes/Seniors/Ambassadors) in preparing to be on their own - in short, how to "Adult".  Once girls have completed steps to earn all the rockers, they should have the basic knowledge needed to live a successful life.  This is a way that Trefoil Guild/OST USA supports the growth of our youth Girl Scouts.

Purchase Patch Set Powered by Cheddar Up

The full patch set is 5.5" in diameter and contains 17 patches.  Click here to see a photograph of the actual patch set.

Testimonials from Troop Leaders

"My troop started earning this their Junior year in high school, when they started panicking about becoming adults.  By the time they finished it, they knew they were ready.  It's a great program and covers all the basis."

"Our troop did this one!! It is a great program and they learned a lot of very useful skills that they will need to use soon. I love that GS offers such a wonderful opportunity to learn real life skills!"

" This was perfect for virtual meetings with our troop!!! The girls really enjoyed it."

Locations We Have Shipped Patches To

Who Can Participate

Any Cadette, Senior, or Ambassador Girl Scout.  This can be done as a troop activity or by an individual girl.  
The cost to mail the patches anywhere in the United States (or anywhere Overseas Girl Scouts are found) is included in the price.

Patch Program Steps

The patch program is separated into four subject areas: Skills for Life, Personal Life, Financial Life, and Civic Life.  There are four rockers per subject area for a total of 16 rockers that can be earned.  The steps are presented below.  To provide flexibility and choice, girls may do any 4 "small tasks" or a single "large task".  Girls can choose to earn a rocker either way (by doing the small tasks or the larger task) and not all rockers have to be earned the same way.  We want to meet girls where they are - so if they have earned some of the Girl Scout badges below, then they have also earned the Adulting 101 rocker for that area - it just means they have a head start on gaining their life skills!

This badge will continue to evolve as "adulting" needs change and is a on-going program of the Trefoil Guild/OST USA.  There is no deadline to order patches.  If you have a skill that you think should be added, please contact us.

Printable Version of the Requirements

Skills for Life

Basic Meals

Small Tasks (do 4):

• Make 4 complete meals (protein, carbohydrate, and vegetable) - can do this 4 times to earn the rocker.
• Learn the basics of a healthy diet
• Learn how to read a nutrition label
• Learn how to comparison shop at the grocery store (compare prices, quality, quantity, nutrition label, etc.)
• Learn about the 9 essential amino acids (especially important if you are vegetarian or vegan)
• Keep a food journal for a week

----- OR -----
Large Tasks (do 1):

• Earn the Cadette Eating for You badge
• Earn the Cadette New Cuisines badge
• Earn the Senior Locavore badge
• Earn the Ambassador Dinner Party badge

Car Chores

Small Tasks (do 4):

• Check the oil and learn how to add oil if needed (including how to know what kind of oil)
• Check the windshield wiper fluid and learn how to add, if needed
• Check the antifreeze and learn how to add, if needed
• Fill the car with gas
• Wash your car including windows and mirrors
• Learn how to jump a car and where to find "how to" instructions in your vehicle's manual
• Change your car's tire and learn where to find your car's spare or tire sealant (and how to use it)
• Change the car's oil (ok to take it to have it done)
• Take the car for a smog check (California) or your state's safety check (or other state-required check)
• Learn what to do in an accident and put that list and a pencil in your vehicle
• Learn about car insurance (what is it, what is the minimum coverage, what is the difference between liability, collision, and comprehensive insurance)

----- OR -----
Large Tasks (do 1):

• Earn the Senior Car Care badge

House Chores

Small Tasks (do 4):

• Do the laundry
• Do laundry at the laundromat (or at least visit one to learn how they work)
• Clean the bathroom (mirrors, shower/bath, toilet, sink, & floor)
• Vacuum the house (including emptying/changing the bag/canister AND cleaning the brush)
• Sweep AND mop the floor
• Mow the lawn
• Unplug a toilet and how to prevent it from happening
• Unplug a kitchen sink and how to prevent it from happening
• Learn how to tell which clothes need to be dry-cleaned, take clothes to the dry cleaner AND pick them up
• Iron a dress shirt/blouse and pair of slacks
• Sew on a button
• Fix a hem on a dress, skirt, or pair of pants (sewn or iron-tape)

----- OR -----
Large Tasks (do 1):

• Do all the household chores for 1 week

Other Life Skills

Small Tasks (do 4):

• Learn how to read a map
• Take care of your families' indoor plants for a month
• Learn how to compost (kitchen or yard waste)
• Learn how to eat out (get your table, order, request something from the wait staff, calculate tip, and pay the bill)
• Learn where your home's fuse box or electrical panel is AND learn how and when you might need it, and who can turn it back on
• Learn where your home's water shutoff is AND learn how and when you might want to use it, and who can turn it back on
• Learn where your home's gas shutoff is AND learn how and when you might want to use it, and who can turn it back on
• Learn basic first aid
• Take public transit

---- OR ----
Large Tasks (do 1):

• Take a self defense class
• Get certified in First Aid and CPR
• Earn the Cadette First Aid Badge OR Safety Award Pin
• Earn the Senior First Aid Badge OR Safety Award Pin
• Earn the Ambassador First Aid Badge OR Safety Award Pin​

Personal Life

A Place to Live

Small Tasks (do 4):

• Make a list of qualities that make a good room-mate and determine how many of those you have
• Learn about renter's insurance (what it is, who should have it, what it covers, what it costs, etc.)
• Learn about the responsibilities of landlords where you live
• Learn what landlords can and can't use to determine if they will rent/lease an apartment to you (e.g. income, credit report, race, gender, pets, etc.)
• What is first/last month's rent for a basic apartment where you live/want to live
• Learn about security deposits (what are they, how much are they in your area, what might cause a landlord to keep it)
• Find three sources for apartment listings in your area/where you want to live

Physical Health

Small Tasks (do 4):

• Learn about the core muscle groups and how opposing muscles groups work
• Learn how to stretch your core muscle groups
• Learn about the links between exercise and mental health
• Try different types of exercise for a week (each exercise you try can count as a "task") with the goal of finding one you like

---- OR ----
Large Tasks (do 1):

• Develop an exercise plan and stick to it for 1 month
• Take a yoga or other fitness class for at least 1 month
• Earn the Senior Cross-Training badge
• Earn the Snow or Climbing Adventure badge
• Earn the Trail Adventure badge
• Earn the Primitive (C), Adventure (S), or Survival (A) Camper badge
• Earn the Senior Paddling, Adventurer or Cross Training badge
• Earn the Ambassador Ultimate Recreation Challenge badge

Health Care

Small Tasks (do 4):

• Fill a prescription
• Make a doctor or dental appointment
• Learn what to expect at a gynecological exam
• Learn about HPV and PAP smears (why you should get one, how often, how is it done)
• Learn how to do a breast self exam and how often you should do it
• Learn what is considered "normal" for periods
• Learn about birth control methods and decide which method you prefer (and get it, if appropriate)
• Learn how to be your own Health Care Advocate (and why it is important)
• Learn about your healthcare coverage (what does it cover, is it a PPO or an HMO [what even is that?], what does in/out of network mean, how long will you keep your coverage, etc.)
• Learn about your dental insurance coverage (what does it cover, what does in/out of network mean, how long will you have it, etc.)
• Learn about health savings accounts (who might have one, how do you use one, why would you want one)

Mental Health

Small Tasks (do 4):

• Learn what you do to reward yourself - decide if it's healthy; if not make a plan to change it
• Keep a happiness jar for a month
• Make a list of things that make you happy
• Learn what "self care" means
• Create a time budget - and plan time for self care
• Learn what defines a health relationship
• Find local resources for mental health issues (e.g. depression, suicide, crisis, etc.)

---- OR ----
Large Tasks (do 1):

• Earn the Cadette Science of Happiness or Outside the Mirror badge
• Earn the Cadette Mental Wellness patch: Finding My Voice
• Earn the Senior Mind, Body, Me badge
• ​Earn the Ambassador Cheers for Every Body badge
• ​Earn the Senior/Ambassador Mental Wellness patch: Showing Up for Me and You

Financial Life

Finances

Small Tasks (do 4):

• Learn how to file a basic tax return AND what the deadlines for filing taxes are
• Look at a paycheck - see what taxes are taken out and what each are for
• Learn what a 401k is, why you might want one, and what a company match is
• Learn about different types of insurance (auto, life, home, renters, umbrella, etc. )
• Open a bank account
• Review your family's bills (learn how to check them for accuracy, how to pay them, what the deadlines are, and what happens if you are delinquent)
• Learn at least three ways YOU can send money (e.g. check, money order, e-check, PayPal, Venmo, Zielle, etc.)
• Get the online banking app for your credit and/or debit card and learn to use them

---- OR ----
Large Tasks (do 1):

• Earn the Cadette My Money Habits badge
• Earn the Senior My Financial Power badge

Budgeting

Small Tasks (do 4):

• Make a list of wants vs. needs
• Make a list of all the things that cost money to live on your own and guess how much each is
• Do research to find actual numbers for each item
• Make a personal budget for living on your own (include costs for food, rent, insurance, transportation, clothing, entertainment)
• Find out how much it costs to own a car by making a list of all the costs (e.g. car payment, insurance, registration, gas, repairs, maintenance, etc.)
• Make a record of everything you spend for one month
• Make a budget for your families' monthly expenses

---- OR ----
Large Tasks (do 1):

• Earn the Cadette Budget Manager badge
• Earn the Cadette My Dream Budget badge
• Earn the Savvy Saver badge

Get a Job

Small Tasks (do 4):

• Write a resume
• Write a cover letter
• Do practice interview
• Learn how to write a business email and how and when to respond to one
• Learn what an employer factors into whether to hire you (resume, cover letter, credit report, social media, etc.)
• Find 3 online job boards; review the pros and cons of each
• Learn about the importance of your "network" in finding a job
• Learn about the starting salaries for positions you are considering
• Find tips on salary negotiations
• Fill out a job application (even if it's for a job you don't really want)

---- OR ----
Large Tasks (do 1):

• Get a job that requires you to apply for it and do an interview
• Earn the Senior Business Etiquette badge
• Earn the Ambassador Financial Independence badge

Credit vs. Debit

Small Tasks (do 4):
Learn:

• What a credit rating is, how it is calculated, and why it is important
• The difference between revolving debt and installment debt
• How a credit card works (including payment plans, minimum payments, interest, and protections provided to the consumer by Federal law)
• How a debit card works (including how payments work and protections provided to the consumer by Federal law)
• How to calculate interest on a credit card purchase
• How to calculate interest on installment debt (e.g. car loan, student loan, etc.)
• Monitor a debit or credit card statement for 3 months to make sure it is accurate
• How to report a fraudulent charge on your statement, report a card lost/stolen, and to protect your card from fraud

---- OR ----
Large Tasks (do 1):

• Earn the Ambassador Financial Planner badge

Public Life

Civic Life

Small Tasks (do 4):

• Learn about the Girl Scout Alumnae organization in your Council
• Learn about five place you might like to volunteer
• Learn who represents you at the school, city, county, state and federal levels
• Learn what your congress-person can help you with
• Watch a school, city, our county-level public meeting
• Find your non-profit - a group whose passion you share and that you might want to volunteer with or donate items or money to
• Contact a local government official about an issue you care about

---- OR ----
Large Tasks (do 1):

• Earn your Cadette, Senior or Ambassador Democracy badge

Voting

Small Tasks (do 4):

• Learn how to/or register to vote
• Learn how to vote (where is your precinct, mail-in/absentee voting, early voting, ID requirements, etc.)
• Make your mail-in ballot count (where can you drop it off, how many stamps does it take, how early before election day should it be mailed, etc.)
• Find out and read the documents the state/county provide to help you decide how to vote (in California you receive a county and state Voter Guide)
• Educate yourself on the issues as if you'll be voting in the upcoming election - what resources are available online?
• Visit a polling place on election day
• Learn how to confirm that your vote was counted

---- OR ----
Large Tasks (do 1):

• Earn the Senior Behind the Ballot badge
• Earn the Ambassador Public Policy badge

Media Savvy

Small Tasks (do 4):

• What is phishing?  Learn how to not get caught.
• What is spam?  Learn how to avoid it.
• What is identity theft?  Learn how to avoid it.
• What is malware?  Learn how to avoid it.
• Learn how to create a secure password and how to protect it
• Find your trusted news source (review sources of news, learn how to vet them for accuracy, and determine what sources you trust to get your news from)
• Scrub your online presence so it is appropriate for a job/apartment seeker

---- OR ----
Large Tasks (do 1):

• Earn any badge from the Cadette, Senior, and/or Ambassador Cybersecurity badge suite

Manners & Etiquette

Small Tasks (do 4):
Learn...

• How to speak in public
• What makes a good thank you note and when written notes are appropriate/expected
• How to make a phone call and how to receive one
• To politely give and receive a compliment
• The basics of conflict resolution
• Manners for a business dinner
• Business attire for different industries

---- OR ----
Large Tasks (do 1):

• Earn the Cadette Finding Common Ground badge
• Earn the Cadette Public Speaker badge
• Earn the Cadette Netiquette badge

"This patch was created by an Ambassador troop facing the reality of being on their own soon.  I am happy that Trefoil Guild/OST USA is willing to host this program for Girl Scouts across the nation." - Kindra Mendall