Requirements
1. Discuss with your counselor what citizenship in the community
means and what it takes to be a good citizen in your community.
Discuss the rights, duties, and obligations of citizenship, and
explain how you can demonstrate good citizenship in your
community, Scouting unit, place of worship, or school.
2. Do the following:
a. On a map of your community or using an electronic device,
locate and point out the following:
(1) Chief government buildings such as your city hall,
county courthouse, and public works/services facilities
(2) Fire station, police station, and hospital nearest
your home
(3) Parks, playgrounds, recreation areas, and trails
(4) Historical or other points of interest
b. Chart the organization of your local or state government.
Show the top offices and tell whether they are elected
or appointed.
3. Do the following:
a. Attend a meeting of your city, town, or county council
or school board; OR attend a municipal, county, or state
court session.
b. Choose one of the issues discussed at the meeting where
a difference of opinions was expressed, and explain to
your counselor why you agree with one opinion more
than you do another one.
4. Choose an issue that is important to the citizens of your
community; then do the following:
a. Find out which branch of local government is
responsible for this issue.
b. With your counselor’s and a parent’s approval, interview
one person from the branch of government you identified
in requirement 4a. Ask what is being done about this issue
and how young people can help.
c. Share what you have learned with your counselor.
5. With the approval of your counselor and a parent, watch
a movie that shows how the actions of one individual or group
of individuals can have a positive effect on a community.
Discuss with your counselor what you learned from the movie
about what it means to be a valuable and concerned member
of the community.
6. List some of the services (such as the library, recreation center,
public transportation, and public safety) your community
provides that are funded by taxpayers. Tell your counselor why
these services are important to your community.
7. Do the following:
a. Identify three charitable organizations outside of Scouting
that interest you and bring people in your community
together to work for the good of your community.
b. Pick ONE of the organizations you chose for requirement
7a. Using a variety of resources (including newspapers,
fliers and other literature, the Internet, volunteers, and
employees of the organization), find out more about
this organization.
c. With your counselor’s and your parent’s approval, contact
the organization you chose for requirement 7b, and find out
what young people can do to help. While working on this
merit badge, volunteer at least eight hours of your time for
the organization. After your volunteer experience is over,
discuss what you have learned with your counselor.
8. Develop a public presentation (such as a video, slide show,
speech, digital presentation, or photo exhibit) about important
and unique aspects of your community. Include information
about the history, cultures, and ethnic groups of your community;
its best features and popular places where people gather;
and the challenges it faces. Stage your pres-entation in front of
your merit badge counselor or a group, such as your patrol or
a class at school.
Resources:
Scouting.org Merit Badges - Requirements
boyscouttrail.com Merit Badges