Scouting/BSA/Citizenship in the Community Merit Badge

The requirements to this merit badge are copyrighted by the Boy Scouts of America. They are reproduced in part here under fair use as a resource for Scouts and Scouters to use in the earning and teaching of merit badges. The requirements published by the Boy Scouts of America should always be used over the list here. If in doubt about the accuracy of a requirement, consult your Merit Badge Counselor.

Reading this page does not satisfy any requirement for any merit badge. Per National regulations, the only person who may sign off on requirements is a Merit Badge Counselor, duly registered and authorized by the local Council. To obtain a list of registered Merit Badge Counselors, or to begin a Merit Badge, please contact your Scoutmaster or Council Service Center.

NOTE: The Citizenship In The Community Merit Badge requirements were revised in 2016.

Requirement 1

Discuss with your counselor what citizenship in the community means and what it takes to be a good citizen in your community. Discuss the rights, duties, and obligations of citizenship, and explain how you can demonstrate good citizenship in your community, Scouting unit, place of worship, or school.

What citizenship in the community means? You live in a city, town, or rural area where you participate in activities that are going on, attend school, and associate with other citizens of the same area.

What does it take to be a good citizen in your community? Follow the Scout Law and Oath. Find ways to help out in the community, like Chain Reaction Days, Food Drives.

What are the rights, duties, and obligations of citizenship? You have the right to attend school, to be able to vote in elections when you are 18, and to be safe. You have the duty to follow the Scout Law and Oath and do your part to keep the community safe. You have an obligation to keep to the laws and to assist where you are needed.

Explain how you can demonstrate good citizenship in your community, Scouting unit, place of worship, or school: Be a law-abiding citizen in the community, with scouts, at school, and in church, and always strive to improve the community with a happy attitude.

Requirement 2

Do the following:

A) On a map of your community, locate and point out the following:

1) Chief government buildings such as your city hall, county courthouse, and public works/services facility

2) Fire station, police station, and hospital nearest your home

3) Parks, playgrounds, recreation areas, and trails

4) Historical or other interesting points of interest

B) Chart the organization of your local or state government. Show the top offices and tell which are elected or appointed.

Requirement 3

Do the following:

A) Attend a city or town council or school board meeting, or a municipal; county, or state court session.

B) Choose one of the issues discussed at the meeting where a difference of opinions was expressed, and explain to your counselor why you agree with one opinion more than you do another one.

Requirement 4

Choose an issue that is important to the citizens of your community; then do the following:

A) Find out which branch of local government is responsible for this issue.

B) With your counselor’s and parent’s approval, interview one person from the branch of government you identified in requirement 4a. Ask what is being done about this issue and how young people can help.

C) Share what you have learned with your counselor.

Requirement 5

5) With the approval of your counselor and a parent, watch a movie that shows how the actions of one individual or group of individuals can have a positive effect on a community. Discuss with your counselor what you learned from the movie about what it means to be a valuable and concerned member of the community.

A valuable and concerned member of the community- That you have your communities best interests at heart and that you bring these interests or problems to other valuable and concerned members of your community in a group or city council meeting

Requirement 6

6) List some of the services (such as the library, recreation center, public transportation, and public safety, city government, parks, national parks, shelters, police station, courts, state parks) your community provides that are funded by taxpayers. Tell your counselor why these services are important to your community.

A lot of these services are important because they help people grow and enjoy themselves. In return, the people help the community which makes these services vital to the success of your community.

Requirement 7

7) Do the following:

A) 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.

B) Pick ONE of the organizations you chose for requirement 7a. 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.

C) With your counselor's and your parent's approval, contact the organization you chose for requirement 7b 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.

Your troop should have service hours readily available most of the time. Ask your scoutmaster if he has somewhere where you can volunteer to fulfill this requirement. Once you have completed this, answer the questions about it for the requirement.

Requirement 8

8) Develop a public presentation (such as a video, slide show, speech, digital presentation, or photo exhibit) about important and unique aspects of your community. Include information about the history, cultures, and ethnic groups of your community; its best features and popular places where people gather; and the challenges it faces. Stage your presentation in front of your merit badge counselor or a group, such as your patrol or a class at school.

External links

• Citizenship in the Community Merit Badge with Workbook PDF, current requirements, and resources for the Citizenship in the Community Merit Badge.