Scout troop money / life-skills resource
A practical money and life-skills angle for scout troops and youth groups — useful for personal management badges, troop meetings before winter break, and family night take-homes.
This is general education, not an official badge requirement sheet. Leaders should check their own handbook for current merit badge or adventure requirements.
One-meeting outline (45–60 minutes)
- Open (5 min): What would you do with $20 of Christmas cash?
- Teach (15 min): Save / Spend / Give. Walk through the free 3-jar worksheet.
- Activity (15 min): Needs vs wants sort with store flyers or written lists.
- Scam spotter (10 min): Role-play a too-good-to-be-true text. Pair with Spot the Scam.
- Close (5 min): Each scout writes one December money goal to take home.
Free printables
Optional troop library book
Money Magic for Kids (ages 7–12) covers earning, saving, spending, giving and spotting scams in story form. Written by Oliver Mark, a former licensed stockbroker.
For older teens working on first-job skills: Money after High School · Kindle.
Bulk pricing for 10+ copies. More gift ideas: Christmas gift guide.
General education only. Not affiliated with any scouting organization. Some books are written with AI assistance.