Scouting/BSA/Citizenship in the Nation Merit Badge
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| The requirements to this merit badge are copyrighted by the Boy Scouts of America. They are reproduced in part here under fair use as a resource for Scouts and Scouters to use in the earning and teaching of merit badges. The requirements published by the Boy Scouts of America should always be used over the list here. If in doubt about the accuracy of a requirement, consult your Merit Badge Counselor. |
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| Reading this page does not satisfy any requirement for any merit badge. Per National regulations, the only person who may sign off on requirements is a Merit Badge Counselor, duly registered and authorized by the local Council. To obtain a list of registered Merit Badge Counselors, or to begin a Merit Badge, please contact your Scoutmaster or Council Service Center. |
Contents |
[edit] Requirement 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."
[edit] Requirement 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 the 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.
[edit] Requirement 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.
[edit] Requirement 4
Discuss each of the following documents with your counselor. Tell your counselor how you feel life in the United States might be different without each one.
- (a) Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence was the final declaration of freedom from the rule of Britain. Its beginning talks about the right of the people in overthrowing tyranny. It then goes into a series of strongly worded complaints against the king. Without the Declaration of Independence, there wouldn’t be a United States.
- (b) Preamble to the Constitution
The preamble is basically a table of contents for the constitution. It outlines the most important aspects of the constitution, and explains the reasoning for having a constitution. It is important because it helps people to better understand the constitution and why we have it.
- (c) The Constitution
The Constitution explains the philosophies and reasoning behind the U.S. democracy, and talks about the different rights and freedoms all citizens must be given. It's essentially an instruction manual for the U.S. government. The Constitution is important because it's what our entire country is based upon.
- (d) Bill of Rights
The Bill of Rights included the first 10 amendments to the constitution. These are the basic rights of citizens of the United States. Life in the U.S. could be constricted and more federally controlled without one. These basic rights are vital for a truly free country.
- (e) Amendments to the Constitution
There are 27 amendments to the constitution, the first 10 being the Bill of Rights. The 11th secures the right to sue a state. The 12th defines the election of President and Vice President and the fallback system if one should die in office. The 13th abolishes slavery. The 14th specifies the post-Civil War requirements and notes that freed slaves are citizens. The 15th specifically dictates that all races have full rights. The 16th modifies the tax system. The 17th lays out the system for replacement of senators. The 18th banned alcohol. The 19th gives women the right to vote. The 20th patches some basic government functions. The 21st makes the 18th amendment inactive, thereby un-banning alcohol. The 22nd amendment states that no one can be elected President more than 2 terms. The 23rd modifies the Electoral College. The 24th states that no one can be kept from voting because of tax status. The 25th reinforces the replacement system for the President and Vice President. The 26th moves the voting age to 18. The 27th deals with the payment of representatives.
[edit] Requirement 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.
- Form a more perfect Union... States working together
- Establish Justice... Make and enforce laws
- Ensure Domestic Tranquility... Peace in our country
- Provide for the Common Defense... Keep country safe from an attack
- Promote the General Welfare... Contribute and promote happiness
- Secure the Blessings of Liberty to Ourselves and our Posterity... Make sure we stay free and keep our rights
[edit] Requirement 6
Choose a speech of national historical importance. Who was the author? Tell about the author. Explain the importance of the speech at the time it was given and how the speech applies to American citizens today. Quote a sentence and tell why it has meaning to you.
Speech: President Lincoln's Gettysburg Address
Author: Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States. He was also the commander and Chief of the Union Army during the Civil war.
“Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. But in a larger sense we can not dedicate ~ we can not consecrate ~ we can not hallow this ground. The brave men living and dead who struggled here have consecrated it far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note nor long remember what we say here but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."
Importance of the speech: In 1863, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania was the site of one of the bloodiest and most important battles during the Civil War. Over 51,000 causalities had been suffered on both sides. Four months later President Lincoln gave this speech to dedicate a cemetery on this battlefield site. Even though the speech was only 2 minutes long it left a lasting impression on Americans, even to this day. Lincoln reminded everyone what we were fighting for - "one nation under God". Not a separated nation. He also claimed that the nation built by our fore fathers "shall not perish from the earth". In other words, he would not allow the country to be destroyed.
Sentence and what it means: "Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal."
What this sentence means to me is, in 1776 our fore fathers signed the "Declaration of Independence" creating a new nation. I also believe that Lincoln was reminding us that "all men were created equal", indicating that the war was also being fought to end slavery.
[edit] Requirement 7
Name the three branches of our federal government and explain to your counselor their functions. Explain how citizens are involved in each branch. For each branch of government, explain the importance of the system of checks and balances.
The three branches are...
- The Executive Branch - Enforces the laws
- The Legislative Branch - Makes the laws
- The Judicial Branch - Interprets the laws, determining whether it's constitutional or not
[edit] Requirement 8
Name your two senators and the 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 and any response you receive to your counselor.
To find and contact your two Senators: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
To find and contact your Congress person: http://www.house.gov/writerep/
[edit] External Links
- Citizenship in the Nation Merit Badge with Workbook PDF, current requirements, and resources for the Citizenship in the Nation Merit Badge.
[edit] Works Cited
"Citizenship In The Nation Merit Badge" http://www.meritbadge.com/mb/003.htm 5/29/06
"A History of the Washington Monument" http://www.nps.gov/wamo/index.htm 5/29/06
"Washington Monument: Symbolism" http://www.nps.gov/wamo/memorial/symbolism.htm 5/29/06
"Wikipedia - Gettysburg Address" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gettysburg_Address 10/14/2007
| Earning Merit Badges in the Boy Scouts of America |
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| Personal Development |
| Citizenship in the Community | Citizenship in the Nation | Citizenship in the World | Communications | Family Life | Personal Fitness | Personal Management | Public Speaking | Scholarship |
| Earning Merit Badges in the Boy Scouts of America |
|---|
| National Interests |
| American Culture | American Heritage | Citizenship in the Community | Citizenship in the Nation | Citizenship in the World | Crime Prevention | Disabilities Awareness | Public Health | Traffic Safety |
