Giving Back

Req 7 — Charitable Organizations & Volunteering

7a.
Identify three charitable organizations outside of Scouting that interest you and bring people in your community together to work for the good of your community.
7b.
Pick ONE of the organizations you chose for requirement 7(a). Using a variety of resources (including newspapers, fliers and other literature, the internet, volunteers, and employees of the organization), find out more about this organization.
7c.
With your counselor’s and your parent or guardian’s approval, contact the organization you chose for requirement 7(b), and find out what young people can do to help. While working on this merit badge, volunteer at least eight hours of your time for the organization. After your volunteer experience is over, discuss what you have learned with your counselor.

The Role of Charitable Organizations

Government provides essential services, but it cannot do everything. Charitable organizations — also called nonprofits — fill gaps that government does not cover. They fight hunger, build affordable housing, protect the environment, support the arts, help disaster victims, mentor young people, and do thousands of other things that make communities stronger.

These organizations run on donations and volunteers. And that is where you come in.

Step 1: Identify Three Organizations (Req 7a)

Look for organizations that operate in your community and bring people together for a common good. They should be outside of Scouting — your troop, pack, or council do not count for this one.

Here are some types of organizations to consider:

Food and Hunger Relief

Housing and Shelter

Environmental Conservation

Youth and Education

Health and Wellness

Community Building

Step 2: Research One Organization (Req 7b)

Choose the organization that interests you most and dig in. The requirement specifically says to use a variety of resources, so do not just check their website. Here is how to research from multiple angles:

Online

People

Research Notes

Information to gather about your chosen organization
  • Full name and location of the organization
  • When it was founded and by whom
  • Its mission statement (in your own words)
  • The main programs or services it provides
  • How it is funded (donations, grants, fundraising events)
  • How many people it serves or impacts
  • What volunteers do and how many it has
  • How it brings the community together
A Scout in a clean uniform sorting canned goods at a community food bank alongside other volunteers of different ages

Step 3: Volunteer Eight Hours (Req 7c)

This is the big one. You need to contribute at least eight hours of volunteer service to the organization you researched. Here is how to make it happen:

Getting Started

  1. Get approval from your counselor and a parent or guardian.
  2. Contact the organization. Call, email, or visit. Explain that you are a Scout working on the Citizenship in the Community merit badge and that you would like to volunteer.
  3. Ask what young people can do. Not every role is open to minors. The organization will guide you to age-appropriate tasks.
  4. Schedule your hours. You can volunteer all eight hours in one or two sessions, or spread them out over several weeks.

Making the Most of Your Experience

Tracking Your Hours

Use the volunteer service log to record your hours, tasks, and reflections. Your counselor will want to see documentation of your eight hours.

Volunteer Service Log

Discussing Your Experience (Req 7c)

After completing your volunteer hours, your counselor will want to hear about:

VolunteerMatch — Find Volunteer Opportunities Search for volunteer opportunities near you by cause, skill, or location. Many listings are open to youth volunteers.
A group of Scouts in clean uniforms working alongside adult volunteers to paint a mural on the side of a community center building, wearing work clothes over their uniforms