Citizenship In The Nation - Eagle Required
Citizen in the Nation Workbook- This workbook can help you but you still need to read the merit badge pamphlet (book). No one can add or subtract from the Boy Scout Requirements #33215.
Citizen in the Nation requirements - This is a link to give you the requirements that you need to achieve to get this merit badge!
Requirement #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.
- Good Citizen.org Teaching Americans to be Effective Citizens
- Rights of a U.S. Citizen.
- Elsbee.com How to be a Good Citizen
- Ben's Guide to the US Government Duties & Responsibilities of Citizens
- Wikipedia Citizenship
Requirement #2:
Do TWO of the following:
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.
b. Tour your state capitol building or the U.S. Capital. Tell your counselor what you learned about the capitol, its function, and the history.
c. Tour a federal facility. Explain to your counselor what you saw there and what you learned about its function in the local community and how it serves this nation.
d. Choose a national monument that interests you. Using books, brochures, the Internet (with your parent'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.
* Search the Internet for your state by typing your state name and "capital building" into Google (or another search engine).
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.
b. Tour your state capitol building or the U.S. Capital. Tell your counselor what you learned about the capitol, its function, and the history.
c. Tour a federal facility. Explain to your counselor what you saw there and what you learned about its function in the local community and how it serves this nation.
d. Choose a national monument that interests you. Using books, brochures, the Internet (with your parent'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.
- nps.gov List of National Historic Landmarks
- Wikipedia National Historic Landmark
- CT State Capital - Connecticut State Capital Information
- CT National Monuments - List of CT National Monuments
- Function of Post Office - Information on the function of the Post Office (a federal facility).
* Search the Internet for your state by typing your state name and "capital building" into Google (or another search engine).
Requirement #3: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.
- National TV News CBS, NBC, ABC,FOX, & CNN(for just a few).
- Online Newspaper.com List of online newspapers
- USNPL US Newspaper List
Requirement #4: Discuss each of the following documents with your counselor. Tell your counselor how you feel life in the United States might be different without each one.
- Declaration of Independence
- Constitution
- Amendments to the Constitution
- Preamble to the Constitution
- Bill of Rights
- Ben's Guide to the US Government An excellent site containing all the needed documents. Written on various educational levels (6th-7th Grade), (9th-12th Grade), etc. Also has a fun Games & Activities area.
- National Archives and Records Administration This site provides an indepth look into our historical documents as well as providing actual photos of the originals.
- Bill of Rights information the Bill of Rights
- Copy of Preamble - A scroll copy of the Preamble
Requirement #5:List the six functions of government as noted in the preamble to the Constitution. Discuss with your counselor how these functions affect your family and local community.
- WikiAnswers What are the six functions of government
- The Preamble of our Gov A look at what the Premble to the Constitution says about the functions of government.
- Fair Use Organization What are the Proper Functions of Government?
Requirement #6: With your counselor's approval, choose a speech of national historical importance. Find out about the author, and tell your counselor about the person who gave the speech. Explain the importance of the speech at the time it was given, and tell how it applies to American citizens today. Choose a sentence or two from the speech that has significant meaning to you, and tell your counselor why.
- AmericanRhetoric.com Top 100 Speeches (by decade)
- nps.gov Documentary Recordings and Political Speeches
- History Made Everyday Type and Search "speeches"
Requirement #7: Name the three branches of our federal government and explain to your counselor their functions. Explain how citizens are involved in each branch. For each branch of government, explain the importance of the system of checks and balances.
- Ben's Guide to the US Government explains the functions of the Legislative Branch, the Judicial Branch, and theExecutive Branch of the government. Written on various educational levels (6th-7th Grade), (9th-12th Grade), etc.
- Congress for Kids This site explains the various parts of the government in easy to understand terms.
- Fact Monster Let the fact monster teach you about the three branches of the government, then go on to learn about the checks and balances.
Requirement #8: Name your two senators and the member of Congress from your congressional district. Write a letter about a national issue and send it to one of these elected officials, sharing your view with him or her. Show your letter and any response you receive to your counselor.
- Contacting the Congress Simply click the map for any state you wish and you then will be shown how to contact the Senators and the members of Congress from that state.
- US House of Representatives Official search page to find official address of the members of Congress.
- US Senate Official search page to find official address of the US Senators.