Requirements
1. Explain what citizenship in the nation means and what
it takes to be a good citizen of this country. Discuss the
rights, duties, and obligations of a responsible and active
American citizen.
2. Do TWO of the following:
a. Visit a place that is listed as a National Historic
Landmark or that is on the National Register of Historic
Places. Tell your counselor what you learned about
the landmark or site and what you found interesting
about it.
b. Tour your state capitol building or the U.S. Capitol.
Tell your counselor what you learned about the capitol,
its function, and its history.
c. Tour a federal facility. Explain to your counselor what
you saw there and what you learned about its function
in the local community and how it serves this nation.
d. Choose a national monument that interests you. Using
books, brochures, the Internet (with your parent’s
permission), and other resources, find out more about
the monument. Tell your counselor what you learned,
and explain why the monument is important to this
country’s citizens.
3. Watch the national evening news five days in a row OR
read the front page of a major daily newspaper five days
in a row. Discuss the national issues you learned about
with your counselor. Choose one of the issues and explain
how it affects you and your family.
4. Discuss each of the following documents with your
counselor. Tell how you feel life in the United States might
be different without each one. Then choose one document
and explain how it impacts you and your family.
a. Declaration of Independence
b. Preamble to the Constitution
c. The Constitution
d. Bill of Rights
e. Amendments to the Constitution
5. List the six functions of government as noted in the
preamble to the Constitution. Discuss with your
counselor how these functions affect your family and
local community.
6. With your counselor’s approval, choose a speech of
national historical importance. Find out about the author,
and tell your counselor about the person who gave the
speech. Explain the importance of the speech at the time
it was given, and tell how it applies to American citizens
today. Choose a sentence or two from the speech that has
significant meaning to you, and tell your counselor why.
7. Name the three branches of our federal government and
explain to your counselor their functions. Explain how
citizens can be involved in each branch. Explain the importance
of our checks and balances system. Describe how
each branch “checks” and “balances” the others.
8. Name your two senators and a member of
Congress from your congressional district. Write a
letter about a national issue and send it to one of these
elected officials, sharing your view with him or her.
Show your letter to your counselor, along with any
response you might receive.
Resources:
Scouting.org Merit Badges - Requirements
boyscouttrail.com Merit Badges