Citizenship in the Nation
Resources
- Citizenship in the Nation Class Preparation Page
- Citizenship in the Nation Workbook
- Scoutmaster Bucky's Merit Badge Advancement Quick Reference
- Scoutmaster Bucky's Acknowledgement Form
Related
Citizenship in the Nation Requirements Current Scouts BSA requirements
as of March 8, 2025
as of March 8, 2025
1.
What is the Constitution of the United States? What does the Constitution
do? What principles does it reflect? Why is it important to have a
Constitution?
2.
List the six purposes for creating the United States Constitution set forth
in the Preamble to the Constitution. How do these purposes affect your
family and community?
3.
List the three branches of the United States government. Explain:
a.
The function of each branch of government
b.
Why it is important to divide powers among different branches
c.
How each branch "checks" and "balances" the others
d.
How citizens can be involved in each branch of government.
4.
Discuss the importance of:
a.
Declaration of Independence
b.
Bill of Rights (the first 10 Amendments to the Constitution) and the
14th Amendment
c.
"E Pluribus Unum," the traditional United States motto.
5.
Watch the national evening news for five days in a row or read the main
stories in a national media organization (e.g., a newspaper or news
website) for five days in a row. Discuss the national issues that you
learned about with your counselor. Choose one issue and explain how it
affects you, your family, and community.
6.
With your counselor's approval, choose a speech of national historical
importance. Explain:
a.
Who the author was
b.
What the historical context was
c.
What difficulties the nation faced that the author wished to discuss
d.
What the author said
e.
Why the speech is important to the nation's history.
f.
Choose a sentence or two from the speech that has significant meaning
to you, and tell your counselor why.
7.
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 or guardian'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.
8.
Name your representatives in the United States Congress. Write a letter to
your representative in Congress explaining your views on a national issue.
Show your letter, along with any response you receive, to your counselor.
