American Heritage
Merit Badge Workbook
This Scoutmaster Bucky Merit Badge Workbook is based off the 2020 Scouts BSA Requirements.
Type your work on this page or download the American Heritage
Workbook PDF.
Consider also using the American Heritage merit badge class preparation page for clarification and expections when participating in a Scoutmaster Bucky merit badge opportunity (online or in-person).
https://scoutmasterbucky.com/merit-badges/american-heritage/
Scout's Name:
Requirement 1: Read the Declaration of Independence. Pay close attention to the section that begins with "We hold these truths to be self-evident" and ends with "to provide new Guards for their future security." Rewrite that section in your own words, making it as easy to understand as possible.
Requirement 1: Then, share your writing with your merit badge counselor and discuss the importance of the Declaration to all Americans.
Do TWO of the following (2a, 2b, 2c, or 2d) for requirement 2:
Requirement 2a: Select two individuals from American history, one a political leader (a president, senator, etc.) and the other a private citizen (a writer, religious leader, etc.). Find out about each person's accomplishments and compare the contributions each has made to America's heritage.
Political Leader:
Name:
Profession:
Private Citizen:
Name:
Profession:
Comparison of selected individuals:
Notes:
Requirement 2b: With your counselor's approval, choose an organization that has promoted some type of positive change in American society.
Organization:
Positive Change:
Counselor's Name
Phone
Counselor's Signature
Date
Approved
Requirement 2b: Find out why the organization believed this change was necessary and how it helped to accomplish the change.
Requirement 2b: Discuss how this organization is related to events or situations from America's past.
Requirement 2c: With your counselor's approval, interview two veterans of the U.S. military. Find out what their experiences were like. Ask the veterans what they believe they accomplished.
Veteran's Name #1:
Veteran's Name #2:
Counselor's Name
Phone
Counselor's Signature
Date
Approved
Veteran #1:
Name:
Rank and Branch of Service:
What his/her experiences were like:
What he/she believe they accomplished:
Veteran #2:
Name:
Rank and Branch of Service:
What his/her experiences were like:
What he/she believe they accomplished:
Requirement 2d: With your counselor's approval, interview three people in your community of different ages and occupations. Ask these people what America means to them, what they think is special about this country, and what American traditions they feel are important to preserve.
Person #1:
Occupation:
Approximate Age of Person #1:
Counselor's Name
Phone
Counselor's Signature
Date
Approved
What America means to this person:
What this person thinks is special about this country:
What American traditions this person feel are important to preserve:
Person #2:
Occupation:
Approximate Age of Person #1:
Counselor's Name
Phone
Counselor's Signature
Date
Approved
What America means to this person:
What this person thinks is special about this country:
What American traditions this person feel are important to preserve:
Person #3:
Occupation:
Approximate Age of Person #1:
Counselor's Name
Phone
Counselor's Signature
Date
Approved
What America means to this person:
What this person thinks is special about this country:
What American traditions this person feel are important to preserve:
Requirement 3a: Select a topic related to the United States that is currently in the news. Describe to your counselor what is happening. Explain how today's events are related to or affected by the events and values of America's past.
Current news topic related to the United States:
Describe what is happening:
Explain how today's events are related to or affected by the events and values of America's past:
Requirement 3b: For each of the following, describe its adoption, tell about any changes since its adoption, and explain how each one continues to influence Americans today: the flag, the Pledge of Allegiance, the Great Seal of the United States, the motto, and the national anthem.
the flag:
Describe the flag's adoption:
Tell about any changes since the flag's adoption:
Explain how the flag continues to influence American today:
the Pledge of Allegiance:
Describe the Pleade of Allegiance's adoption:
Tell about any changes since the Pledge of Allegiance's adoption:
Explain how the Pledge of Allegiance continues to influence American today:
the Great Seal of the United States:
Describe the adoption of the Great Seal of the United States:
Tell about any changes since the Great Seal of the United States was adopted:
Explain how the Great Seal of the United States continues to influence American today:
the motto:
Describe the motto's adoption:
Tell about any changes since the motto's adoption:
Explain how the motto continues to influence American today:
the national anthem:
Describe the national anthem's adoption:
Tell about any changes since the national anthem's adoption:
Explain how the national anthem continues to influence American today:
Requirement 3c: Research your family's history. Find out how various events and situations in American history affected your family.
Requirement 3c: If your family immigrated to America, tell the reasons why. Share what you find with your counselor.
Do TWO of the following (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, or 4e) for requirement 4:
Requirement 4a: Explain the National Register of Historic Places.
Requirement 4a: Explain how a property becomes eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.
Requirement 4a: Make a map of your local area, marking the points of historical interest. Tell about any National Register properties in your area. Share the map with your counselor, and describe the historical points you have indicated.
Requirement 4b: Research an event of historical importance that took place in or near your area. If possible, visit the place. Tell your counselor about the event and how it affected local history. Describe how the area looked then and what it now looks like.
Requirement 4c: Find out when, why, and how your town or neighborhood started, and what ethnic, national, or racial groups played a part. Find out how the area has changed over the past 50 years and try to explain why.
Requirement 4d: Take an active part in a program about an event or person in American history. Report to your counselor about the program, the part you took, and the subject.
Requirement 4e: Visit a historic trail or walk in your area. After your visit, share with your counselor what you have learned. Discuss the importance of this location and explain why you think it might qualify for National Register listing.
Do ONE of the following (5a, 5b, or 5c) for requirement 5:
Requirement 5A: Watch two motion pictures (with the approval and permission of your counselor and parent) that are set in
some period of American history. Describe to your counselor how accurate each film is with regard to the historical events
depicted and also with regard to the way the characters are portrayed.
Requirement 5b: Read a biography (with your counselor's approval) of someone who has made a contribution to America's heritage. Tell some things you admire about this individual and some things you do not admire. Explain why you think this person has made a positive or a negative contribution to America's heritage.
Requirement 5c: Listen to recordings of popular songs from various periods of American history. Share five of these songs with your counselor, and describe how each song reflects the way people felt about the period in which it was popular. If a recording is not available, have a copy of the lyrics available.
Requirement 6: Discuss with your counselor the career opportunities in American heritage. Pick one that interests you and explain how to prepare for this career. Discuss what education and training are required for this career.
