Keep America Beautiful - Hometown U.S.A. Award

A youth program between Keep America Beautiful Inc. and Scouting America that recognizes outstanding efforts of Scouts in their communities in regard to citizenship and environmental improvement; provides way for Scouts to make significant contribution toward keeping America beautiful.

Keep America Beautiful was founded in 1953 with the purpose of building and sustaining a national cleanliness ethic. Scouting America has been affiliated with Keep America Beautiful for more than 50 years at the national level and through KAB’s national network of more than 600 community affiliates.

In 1971, Scouting Keep America Beautiful Day was first cosponsored by KAB and Scouting America as a massive national cleanup and recycling program. Millions of Scouts still turn out annually to participate in community-enriching activities such as the Great American Cleanup and America Recycles Day.

Scouts must complete the Hometown U.S.A. Award application form and present it to their unit leader or unit advancement chairperson. Keep America Beautiful Hometown U.S.A. Award application.

Keep America Beautiful - Hometown U.S.A. patches may purchased at the Scout Shop. This patch may be worn as a temporary patch on the right pocket of the Scout uniform or on the back of the sash.

Keep America Beautiful - Hometown U.S.A. Requirements

1. Merit badges. Earn three merit badges from the following list of 13 (^* required for Eagle):
   • Citizenship in the Community^*
   • Communication^*
   • Energy
   • Environmental Science^*
   • Fish and Wildlife Management
   • Forestry
   • Gardening
   • Geocaching
   • Landscape Architecture
   • Photography
   • Public Speaking
   • Soil and Water Conservation
   • Sustainability^*
2. Community service project. In addition to earning the merit badges, a Scout is required to perform a community service project. The project should involve a minimum of eight hours of time, two of which must involve management planning, with the other six consisting of carrying out the project. It should help keep America beautiful and benefit the community either physically or financially. One way to do this is to plan the community service project as part of a Keep America Beautiful program. See some examples below.
   • Plan and execute a Great American Cleanup in your local community. Adopt a park, block, beach, or vacant lot. Remove litter and debris. Build picnic tables or fix up old ones. Paint benches.
   • Build a nature trail or trashless trail for use as an outdoor classroom or for community enjoyment.
   • Register and organize an America Recycles Day event that involves your unit (i.e., newspapers, electronic gadgets, and/or bottle collections).
   • Conduct a litter survey of local storefronts. Determine areas where litter exists, and work with store owners/local government to help improve conditions.
   • Become involved in a local environmental/recycling issue. Attend public meetings, talk to public officials, and make a report to your unit about what you have learned. Decide how you want to become involved in resolving the issue and spend your project time educating your fellow citizens as to your viewpoint and assisting your “side” in its campaign.
   • Develop and help maintain a community garden or tree trail in your community.
   • Plan and make a presentation to elementary students about the importance of conserving natural resources. Take students on a nature walk, pointing out natural resources.
   • Conduct soil and water conservation activities on a heavily used trail to prevent erosion. Record your activities.
   • Construct water facilities and plant vegetation that will provide food and shelter for wildlife in appropriate places.
   • Organize an anti-litter poster competition among junior and senior high school students. Arrange for businesses to donate awards for the winners and recruit community judges. Include media coverage. Get local businesses and schools to display the posters.