Guide Navigation

Getting Started
Introduction & Overview
Awareness & Listening
Req 1 — Communication Awareness
Self-Expression & Persuasion
Req 2 — Creative Presentation
Public Speaking
Req 3 — Writing & Delivering a Speech
Interviewing & Active Listening
Req 4 — Conducting an Interview
Critical Listening & Reporting
Req 5 — Public Meeting Report
Teaching & Instruction
Req 6 — Teach a Skill
Written & Digital Communication
Req 7 — Writing & Publishing
Event Leadership
Req 8 — Master of Ceremonies
Communication Careers
Req 9 — Career Exploration
Beyond the Badge
Extended Learning

Awareness & Listening

Req 1 — Communication Awareness

Do ONE of the following:

This requirement asks you to take a close look at how communication works in your everyday life. You will pick one of four options. Read through all of them before choosing — each one highlights a different side of communication.

Option A: Communication Log

1a.

For one day, keep a log in which you describe your communication activities. Keep track of the time and different ways you spend communicating, such as talking person-to-person, listening to teachers, listening to the radio or podcasts, watching television, using social media, reading books and other print media, and using any electronic communication device. Discuss with your counselor what your log reveals about the importance of communication in your life. Think of ways to improve your communication skills.

If you choose this option, you will spend one full day tracking every time you communicate — and how you do it. Most people are amazed at how much time they spend communicating without even realizing it.

How to Keep Your Log

Pick a typical day — a school day works well because it includes a good mix of activities. From the moment you wake up to the time you go to bed, write down each communication activity along with:

The time it happened
The method (talking face-to-face, texting, listening to a podcast, reading, etc.)
How long it lasted
Who was involved (a teacher, a friend, a family member, a screen)

What to Look For

After your day is done, review your log and look for patterns:

Which type of communication did you use the most?
How much time did you spend listening versus talking?
How much of your communication was digital versus face-to-face?
Were there moments when a different communication method would have worked better?

A Scout sitting at a desk writing in a notebook, with a phone, headphones, and an open book nearby, tracking communication activities

Option B: Listening Journal

1b.

For three days, keep a journal of your listening experiences. Identify one example of each of the following, and discuss with your counselor when you have listened to:

1b.1.

Obtain information.

1b.2.

Be persuaded.

1b.3.

Appreciate or enjoy something.

1b.4.

Understand someone’s feelings.

This option focuses on the listening side of communication. Over three days, you will pay close attention to the different reasons you listen.

The Four Purposes of Listening

Not all listening is the same. Here is what each type means:

Listening to obtain information — You are trying to learn something. Examples: a teacher explaining a math concept, a news report, or a friend giving you directions.
Listening to be persuaded — Someone is trying to change your mind or convince you of something. Examples: a commercial, a debate, a friend arguing why their favorite team is the best.
Listening to appreciate or enjoy — You are listening for pleasure. Examples: a favorite song, a funny podcast, a story told around the campfire.
Listening to understand feelings — You are trying to understand how someone feels. Examples: a friend telling you about a tough day, a family member sharing good news, or a Scout explaining why something matters to them.

Option C: Group Discussion

1c.

In a small-group setting, meet with other Scouts or with friends. Have them share personal stories about significant events in their lives that affected them in some way. Take note of how each Scout participates in the group discussion and how effectively each Scout communicates their story. Report what you have learned to your counselor about the differences you observed in effective communication.

This option lets you observe communication in action. You will gather a small group and watch how different people tell their stories.

Setting Up the Discussion

Invite 3–5 Scouts or friends to meet in a comfortable, quiet spot. Ask each person to share a story about a significant event — something that changed them, taught them a lesson, or made a lasting impression.

What to Observe

While each person speaks, pay attention to:

Organization — Does the story have a clear beginning, middle, and end?
Engagement — Does the speaker make eye contact? Do they use gestures and tone to keep you interested?
Clarity — Can you easily follow what happened?
Emotion — Does the speaker convey how the event made them feel?
Listening — How do the other group members react? Are they attentive or distracted?

Option D: Communication Methods

1d.

List as many ways as you can think of to communicate with others (face-to-face, by telephone, letter, email, text messages, social media, and so on). For each type of communication, discuss with your counselor an instance when that method might not be appropriate or effective.

This option challenges you to think broadly about all the ways humans communicate — and when each method is the right (or wrong) choice.

Building Your List

Start by brainstorming every method you can think of. Here are some categories to spark your thinking:

Spoken: Face-to-face, phone call, video call, voicemail, public speech, radio
Written: Letter, email, text message, note, postcard
Digital: Social media post, blog, website, instant message, online forum
Visual: Sign language, photographs, drawings, presentations, infographics
Symbolic: Morse code, semaphore flags, road signs, emojis

When Methods Don’t Work

For each method, think about a situation when it would be a poor choice. For example:

Text message — Not appropriate for delivering serious or emotional news (like a death in the family)
Social media post — Not the right place to share private information about someone else
Phone call — Not effective during a loud event where you cannot hear

MediaSmarts — Digital Literacy Resources Explore resources about digital media literacy, including how to evaluate online information and communicate responsibly in digital spaces.

A whiteboard covered with sticky notes listing different communication methods, organized by category, with a Scout's hand adding a new note

Whichever option you choose, the goal is the same: becoming more aware of how communication shapes your daily life. When you start paying attention, you will be surprised by how much communicating you already do — and how much better you can become.