Citizenship in the Nation Merit Badge Requirements

Requirements

1. # Copy link to requirement 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. # Copy link to requirement 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. # Copy link to requirement 3
   List the three branches of the United States government. Explain:
   1. # Copy link to requirement 3.a
      The function of each branch of government
   2. # Copy link to requirement 3.b
      Why it is important to divide powers among different branches
   3. # Copy link to requirement 3.c
      How each branch checks and balances the others
   4. # Copy link to requirement 3.d
      How citizens can be involved in each branch of government.
4. # Copy link to requirement 4
   Discuss the importance of:
   1. # Copy link to requirement 4.a
      Declaration of Independence
   2. # Copy link to requirement 4.b
      Bill of Rights (the first 10 Amendments to the Constitution) and the 14th Amendment
   3. # Copy link to requirement 4.c
      “E Pluribus Unum,” the traditional United States motto.
5. # Copy link to requirement 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. # Copy link to requirement 6
   With your counselor’s approval, choose a speech of national historical importance. Explain:
   1. # Copy link to requirement 6.a
      Who the author was
   2. # Copy link to requirement 6.b
      What the historical context was
   3. # Copy link to requirement 6.c
      What difficulties the nation faced that the author wished to discuss
   4. # Copy link to requirement 6.d
      What the author said
   5. # Copy link to requirement 6.e
      Why the speech is important to the nation’s history
   6. # Copy link to requirement 6.f
      Choose a sentence or two from the speech that has significant meaning to you, and tell your counselor why.
7. # Copy link to requirement 7
   Do TWO of the following:
   1. # Copy link to requirement 7.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.
   2. # Copy link to requirement 7.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.
   3. # Copy link to requirement 7.c
      Tour a federal facility. Explain to your counselor what you saw and what you learned about its function in the local community and how it serves this nation.
   4. # Copy link to requirement 7.d
      Choose a United States 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. # Copy link to requirement 8
   Name your representatives in the United States Congress. Write to your representative in Congress explaining your views on a national issue. Show your correspondence, along with any response you receive, to your counselor.