Citizenship in the Nation Merit Badge

Introduction

Citizenship in the Nation merit badge is all about learning how our government works and how we can be active and responsible citizens. You'll learn about the history of our nation, the three branches of government, and how to participate in the democratic process.

Merit Badge 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:
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Discuss with your counselor an important speech made by a government official. Tell your counselor why it was important, what the speaker was trying to say, and how their message affects you and your community.
4. List the names of the three branches of our federal government and explain to your counselor their functions. Explain how citizens are involved in each branch.
5. Choose a national monument that interests you. Using books, brochures, or the Internet, learn more about the monument. Tell your counselor what you learned, and explain why the monument is important to this country's citizens.
3. Do ONE of the following:
1. Identify a national problem and explain how the problem affects your community. Gather information about the problem and discuss it with your counselor. Tell your counselor what actions you think should be taken to help solve the problem.
2. Interview a government official and ask about his or her role in your community. Discuss the official's duties and responsibilities, and explain how these affect you and your family.
3. With your parent's permission and your counselor's approval, watch a movie that shows how the actions of one individual or group of individuals can have a positive effect on a community. Discuss the movie with your counselor, and talk about what you learned from the movie about being a responsible citizen.
4. Do TWO of the following:
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Discuss with your counselor an important speech made by a government official. Tell your counselor why it was important, what the speaker was trying to say, and how their message affects you and your community.
4. List the names of the three branches of our federal government and explain to your counselor their functions. Explain how citizens are involved in each branch.
5. Choose a national monument that interests you. Using books, brochures, or the Internet, learn more about the monument. Tell your counselor what you learned, and explain why the monument is important to this country's citizens.
5. Participate in a mock election. Explain the process of registering to vote and how voting is important in a democratic society. Discuss the results of the election with your counselor.

Lesson

Hey there, scouts! Are you ready to become a citizen of the nation? Great! Let's get started.

First things first, what does it mean to be a citizen of the nation? Well, it means that you are a member of this country and you have certain rights and responsibilities. You have the right to vote, the right to free speech, and the right to a fair trial. But you also have the responsibility to obey the law, pay taxes, and serve on a jury if called upon.

Now, let's talk about the three branches of government. Who can name them? That's right, the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. The executive branch is responsible for enforcing the laws, the legislative branch makes the laws, and the judicial branch interprets the laws. But how do citizens get involved in each branch? Well, we can vote for the president and other executive officials, we can contact our representatives in Congress to voice our opinions on laws, and we can serve on juries to help interpret the laws.

Let's take a break from all this learning and hear a story. Did you know that the Statue of Liberty was a gift from France to the United States? It was given to us as a symbol of friendship and freedom. The statue was dedicated in 1886 and has been a symbol of hope and opportunity for millions of immigrants who have come to this country seeking a better life.

Okay, back to business. Let's talk about national monuments. Who can name one? The Grand Canyon, Mount Rushmore, and the Statue of Liberty are all national monuments. They are important to our country because they represent our history, our culture, and our values. It's important to learn about these monuments so we can appreciate them and protect them for future generations.

Now, let's talk about being an active citizen. What can we do to make a difference in our community? We can volunteer at a local charity, we can write letters to our representatives about issues that are important to us, and we can participate in elections. Speaking of elections, let's have a mock election right now! Who wants to be president?

Great job, scouts! You are well on your way to becoming responsible and active citizens of this great nation.

Questions

• What are the three branches of government and what are their functions?
• What is a national monument and why are they important?
• What can you do to be an active citizen in your community?
• Why is it important to participate in elections?

Remember, if you have any questions or need help completing this merit badge, don't hesitate to reach out to your merit badge counselor. Good luck!

Schedule

Week	Task
1	Read about the history of the United States and what it means to be a citizen
2	Visit a National Historic Landmark or National Register of Historic Places site
3	Watch the national evening news or read a major daily newspaper for five days in a row
4	Discuss an important speech made by a government official
5	Identify a national problem and discuss it with your counselor
6	Participate in a mock election
7	Complete any remaining requirements and meet with your merit badge counselor