Citizenship in the Nation

Citizenship in the NationMerit Badge Workbook

This workbook can help you but you still need to read the merit badge pamphlet.The work space provided for each requirement should be used by the Scout to make notes for discussing the item with his counselor, not for

providing the full and complete answers. Each Scout must do each requirement.No one may add or subtract from the official requirements found in Boy Scout Requirements (Pub. 33216 SKU 34765).

The requirements were last issued or revised in 2005 This workbook was updated in November 2013.

Scouts Name:__________________________________________ Unit: __________________________________________Counselors Name: ______________________________________ Counselors Phone No.: ___________________________

Workbook Copyright 2013 - U.S. Scouting Service Project, Inc. - All Rights ReservedRequirements Copyright, Boy Scouts of America (Used with permission.)

http://www.USScouts.Org http://www.MeritBadge.OrgPlease submit errors, omissions, comments or suggestions about this workbook to: [email protected]

Comments or suggestions for changes to the requirements for the merit badge should be sent to: [email protected]______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

1. Explain what citizenship in the nation means and what it takes to be a good citizen of this country.What citizenship in the nation means:

What it takes to be a good citizen:

Discuss the rights, duties, and obligations of a responsible and active American citizen.Rights:

Citizenship in the Nation Scout's Name: ________________________

Citizenship in the Nation - Merit Badge Workbook Page. 2 of 13

Duties,

Obligations:.

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. Capitol. Tell your counselor what you learned about the capitol, itsfunction, and the history.



c. Tour a federal facility. Explain to your counselor what you saw there and what you learned about its function in thelocal community and how it serves this nation.

d. Choose a national monument that interests you. ____________________________________________________Using books, brochures, the Internet (with your parents permission), and other resources, find out more about themonument. Tell your counselor what you learned, and explain why the monument is important to this countryscitizens.

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.

4. Discuss each of the following documents with your counselor. Tell your counselor how you feel life in the United States mightbe different without each one.

a. Declaration of Independence

b. Preamble to the Constitution

c. The Constitution



d. Bill of Rights

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8



9

10

e. Amendments to the Constitution

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.



17.

18.

19.

20.

21.

22.

23.

24.



25.

26.

27.

5. List the six functions of government as noted in the preamble to the Constitution.Function Discuss with your counselor how these functions affect your family and local community.



6. With your counselors 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.Importance at the time:

How it applies today:



Choose a sentence or two from the speech that has significant meaning to you, and tell your counselor why.

7. Name the three branches of our federal government and explain to your counselor their functions. Explain how citizens areinvolved in each branch. For each branch of government, explain the importance of the system of checks and balances.

Branch:Function:

Citizen Involvement:

Importance of Checks& Balances:



Branch:Function:




Citizenship in the Nation - Merit Badge Workb

Branch:Function:



8. Name your two senators and the membeSenator:Senator:

Member of Congress: Write a letter about a national issue a Show your letter and any response y

http://www.meritbadgook Page. 12 of 13

r of Congress from your congressional district.

nd send it to one of these elected officials, sharing your view with him or her.ou receive to your counselor.

Requirement resources can be found here:e.org/wiki/index.php/Citizenship in the Nation#Requirement resources

Attachment (NOTE: It is not necessary to print this page.) Page 13 of 13

Important excerpts from the Guide To Advancement - 2013, No. 33088 (SKU-618673)[1.0.0.0] IntroductionThe current edition of the Guide to Advancement is the official source for administering advancement in all Boy Scouts of America programs: CubScouting, Boy Scouting, Varsity Scouting, Venturing, and Sea Scouts. It replaces any previous BSA advancement manuals, including AdvancementCommittee Policies and Procedures, Advancement and Recognition Policies and Procedures, and previous editions of the Guide to Advancement.[Page 2, and 5.0.1.4] Policy on Unauthorized Changes to Advancement ProgramNo council, committee, district, unit, or individual has the authority to add to, or subtract from, advancement requirements. There are limitedexceptions relating only to youth members with special needs. For details see section 10, Advancement for Members With Special Needs.[Page 2] The Guide to Safe Scouting AppliesPolicies and procedures outlined in the Guide to Safe Scouting, No. 34416, apply to all BSA activities, including those related to advancement andEagle Scout service projects.[7.0.3.1] The Buddy System and Certifying CompletionA youth member must not meet one-on-one with an adult. Sessions with counselors must take place where others can view the interaction, or theScout must have a buddy: a friend, parent, guardian, brother, sister, or other relativeor better yet, another Scout working on the same badgealongwith him attending the session.When the Scout meets with the counselor, he should bring any required projects. If these cannot be transported, he should present evidence, such asphotographs or adult verification. His unit leader, for example, might state that a satisfactory bridge or tower has been built for the Pioneering meritbadge, or that meals were prepared for Cooking. If there are questions that requirements were met, a counselor may confirm with adults involved.Once satisfied, the counselor signs the blue card using the date upon which the Scout completed the requirements, or in the case of partials, initialsthe individual requirements passed.Note that from time to time, it may be appropriate for a requirement that has been met for one badge to also count for another. See Fulfilling MoreThan One Requirement With a Single Activity, 4.2.3.6.[7.0.3.2] Group InstructionIt is acceptableand sometimes desirablefor merit badges to be taught in group settings. This often occurs at camp and merit badge midways orsimilar events. Interactive group discussions can support learning. The method can also be attractive to guest experts assisting registered andapproved counselors. Slide shows, skits, demonstrations, panels, and various other techniques can also be employed, but as any teacher can attest,not everyone will learn all the material.There must be attention to each individuals projects and his fulfillment of all requirements. We must know that every Scout actually andpersonally completed them. If, for example, a requirement uses words like show, demonstrate, or discuss, then every Scout must do that. It isunacceptable to award badges on the basis of sitting in classrooms watching demonstrations, or remaining silent during discussions.It is sometimes reported that Scouts who have received merit badges through group instructional settings have not fulfilled all the requirements. Tooffer a quality merit badge program, council and district advancement committees should ensure the following are in place for all group instructionalevents. Merit badge counselors are known to be registered and approved. Any guest experts or guest speakers, or others assisting who are not registered and approved as merit badge counselors, do not accept the

responsibilities of, or behave as, merit badge counselors, either at a group instructional event or at any other time. Their service is temporary, notongoing.

Counselors agree not to assume prerequisites have been completed without some level of evidence that the work has been done. Pictures andletters from other merit badge counselors or unit leaders are the best form of prerequisite documentation when the actual work done cannot bebrought to the camp or site of the merit badge event.

There is a mechanism for unit leaders or others to report concerns to a council advancement committee on summer camp merit badge programs,group instructional events, and any other merit badge counseling issuesespecially in instances where it is believed BSA procedures are notfollowed. See Reporting Merit Badge Counseling Concerns, 11.1.0.0.

There must be attention to each individuals projects and his fulfillment of all requirements. We must know that every Scoutactually andpersonallycompleted them.

[7.0.3.3] Partial CompletionsA Scout need not pass all the requirements of one merit badge with the same counselor. It may be that due to timing or location issues, etc., he mustmeet with a different counselor to finish the badge. The Application for Merit Badge has a place to record what has been finisheda partial. In thecenter section on the reverse of the blue card, the counselor initials for each requirement passed. In the case of a partial completion, the counselordoes not retain his or her portion of the card. A subsequent counselor may choose not to accept partial work, but this should be rare. A Scout, if hebelieves he is being treated unfairly, may work with his unit leader to find another counselor. An example for the use of a signed partial would be totake it to camp as proof of prerequisites. Partials have no expiration except the Scouts 18th birthday. Units, districts, or councils shall not establishother expiration dates for partial merit badges.[7.0.4.8] Unofficial Worksheets and Learning AidsWorksheets and other materials that may be of assistance in earning merit badges are available from a variety of places including unofficial sourceson the Internet and even troop libraries. Use of these aids is permissible as long as the materials can be correlated with the current requirements thatScouts must fulfill. Completing worksheets may suffice where a requirement calls for something in writing, but this would not work for a requirementwhere the Scout must discuss, tell, show, or demonstrate, etc. Note that Scouts shall not be required to use these learning aids in order to complete amerit badge.

Scouts_Name:

Unit: Counselors_Name: Counselors_Phone_No: Textfield: We are citizens in that we owe allegiance to our government and in return our government owes us protection. Textfield0: As good citizens we contribute our personal time to our American society, our local community and our friends and neighbors. We vote, pay our taxes, and follow the law. We ensure the security of our neighborhoods and work places. We volunteer our time to good causes, we respect the rights of others and demand the same for ourselves. We contribute to those less fortunate who work hard for themselves. We conduct ourselves in accordance with American family values and respect everyone's right to practice their own religion and live as they please. We know and understand our history and live up to the ideals expressed in The Declaration of Independence, Constitution and Bill of Rights.Textfield1: FREEDOM OF RELIGION, SPEECH, OF THE PRESSTHE RIGHT TO ASSEMBLE, PETITION, BEAR ARMS, RIGHT TO A FAIR TRIALOBEY LAWS, PAY TAXES, JURY DUTY, SERVE AS A WITNESS, REGISTER FOR THE SELECTIVE SERVICE, VOTING, HELP SOMEONE WHEN IN NEED, GO TO WAR WHEN CALLED UPON.Textfield2: Textfield3: a_Visit_a_place_that_is_listed_as_a_National_Histo: Textfield4: Library of Congress, Octagon House, Clara Barton House, b_Tour_your_state_capitol_building_or_the_US_Capit: Textfield5: The beautiful Maryland State House is the oldest state capitol still in continuous legislative use and is the only state house ever to have served as the nation's capitol. The Continental Congress met in the Old Senate Chamber from November 26, 1783, to August 13, 1784. During that time, George Washington came before Congress to resign his commission as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army and the Treaty of Paris was ratified, marking the official end of the Revolutionary War. The State House is where the Maryland General Assembly convenes for three months each year, and the elected leadership of the state the governor, lieutenant governor, speaker of the House of Delegates and president of the Senate all have their offices there.c_Tour_a_federal_facility_Explain_to_your_counselo: Textfield6: National Cryptologic Museum. The National Cryptologic Museum is the National Security Agency's principal gateway to the public. It shares the Nation's, as well as NSA's, cryptologic legacy and place in world history. Located adjacent to NSA Headquarters, Ft. George G. Meade, Maryland, the Museum houses a collection of thousands of artifacts that collectively serve to sustain the history of the cryptologic profession. Here visitors can catch a glimpse of some of the most dramatic moments in the history of American cryptology: the people who devoted their lives to cryptology and national defense, the machines and devices they developed, the techniques they used, and the places where they worked.d_Choose_a_national_monument_that_interests_you: d_Choose_a_national_monument_that_interests_you0: Fort McHenryTextfield7: The only place designated a national monument and historic shrine, Fort McHenry is a star-shaped fort best known for its role in the War of 1812 when it successfully defended Baltimore Harbor from an attack by the British navy. It inspired Francis Scott Key to write "The Star-Spangled Banner".Textfield8: Textfield9: Textfield10: The Declaration of Independence, written by Thomas Jefferson and adopted by the Second Continental Congress, states the reasons the British colonies of North America sought independence in July of 1776.

The declaration opens with a preamble describing the document's necessity in explaining why the colonies have overthrown their ruler and chosen to take their place as a separate nation in the world.

All men are created equal and there are certain unalienable rights that governments should never violate. These rights include the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. When a government fails to protect those rights, it is not only the right, but also the duty of the people to overthrow that government. In its place, the people should establish a government that is designed to protect those rights. Governments are rarely overthrown, and should not be overthrown for trivial reasons. In this case, a long history of abuses has led the colonists to overthrow a tyrannical government. Textfield11: The Preamble is the opening statement to the United States Constitution. The preamble explains the reasons why the Framers of the Constitution made our government a republic. By doing this, the founding fathers replaced the Articles of Confederation. The Preamble along with the rest of the Constitution was written over a period of about 6 weeks. The Preamble helped explain why the Constitution was written. However, it is not the law.Textfield12: The United States Constitution is the supreme law of the United States. The Constitution is made of the Preamble and seven different articles. Together, these articles are the foundation for how the United States government is organized. The Articles of the Constitution also explain how the federal government interacts with the citizens, states, and people of the country. Textfield13: Freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.Textfield14: Right to keep and bear arms in order to maintain a well regulated militia.Textfield15: No quartering of soldiers.Textfield16: Freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures.Textfield17: Right to due process of law, freedom from self-incrimination, double jeopardy.Textfield18: Rights of accused persons, e.g., right to a speedy and public trial.Textfield19: Right of trial by jury in civil cases. Textfield20: Freedom from excessive bail, cruel and unusual punishments.Textfield21: Other rights of the people. Textfield22: Powers reserved to the states.Textfield23: Restrictions of federal lawsuitsTextfield24: electors vote separately for President and Vice PresidentTextfield25: abolished slaveryTextfield26: made "all persons born or naturalized in the United States" citizens of the countryTextfield27: a constitutional amendment that gave African American men the right to voteTextfield28: The constitutional amendment adopted in 1913 that explicitly permitted Congress to levy an income tax.Textfield29: direct election of senatorsTextfield30: prohibited the manufacture, sale, and distribution of alcoholic beveragesTextfield31: granted women the right to vote in 1920Textfield32: shortened the time between the election and inauguration day, also called the "Lame Duck Amendment," it changed the inauguration date from March 4 to January 20 for president and vice president, and to January 3 for senators and representativesTextfield33: repealed prohibitionTextfield34: Two term limit for PresidentTextfield35: amendment that gives the right of voting to citizens in Washington D.C. and that they get votes in the electoral collegeTextfield36: Prohibits poll tax in federal electionsTextfield37: Creates Line of Succession: President, Vice President, Speaker of the House, Senator Pro Tempore, Secretary of StateTextfield38: lowered the voting age to 18 (from 21)Textfield39: banned congress from raising its members salaries right before the next electionTextfield40: Textfield41: Form a more perfect Union Textfield42: Textfield43: Establish Justice Textfield44: Textfield45: Ensure Domestic Tranquility Textfield46: Textfield47: Provide for the Common Defense Textfield48: Textfield49: Promote the General Welfare Textfield50: Textfield51: Secure the Blessings of Liberty Textfield52: Gettysburg Address, President Lincoln, 1863Textfield53: Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war.

The Gettysburg address is the most quoted speech in US history and is the most famous of Lincolns. The exact wording of the speech is not known as the five original copies that still exist all differ slightly and differ from contemporary newspaper texts. The speech was delivered at the dedication of the Soldiers National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, on the afternoon of Thursday, November 19, 1863, during the American Civil War, four and a half months after the Union armies defeated those of the Confederacy at the decisive Battle of Gettysburg.Textfield54: The historical importance of the Gettysburg Address is that the Civil War as not only a struggle for the Union, but also as a new birth of freedom that would bring equality to all of Americas' people, and that would created a unified nation where states' rights were no longer dominant. The Gettysburg Address also boosted the morale of the United States citizens in the Union during the tough times of the Civil War. Textfield55: The themes and values of the Gettysberg Address, namely freedom and democracy, transcend time. It is always worth remembering the ideals upon which your nation is founded. The emphasis Lincoln places on democracy in his final triplet, "government of the people, by the people, for the people" continues to speak to citizens, serving as a constant reminder that we all have a part to play in ensuring our nation remains democratic, and we have been given a voice which we should use for the betterment of the county. The government should always act in the interests of its people - and when it does not, it is time for a change. And it is not only about this, it is also about still honoring the dead. how we are now one nation; not divided at all. Textfield56: Textfield57: Executive, Judicial, LegislativeTextfield58: Executive Branch: Headed by the president. The president carries out federal laws and recommends new ones, directs national defense and foreign policy, and performs ceremonial duties. Powers include directing government, commanding the Armed Forces, dealing with international powers, acting as chief law enforcement officer, and vetoing laws. Legislative Branch: Headed by Congress, which includes the House of Representatives and the Senate. The main task of these two bodies is to make the laws. Its powers include passing laws, originating spending bills (House), impeaching officials (Senate), and approving treaties (Senate).Judicial Branch: Headed by the Supreme Court. Its powers include interpreting the Constitution, reviewing laws, and deciding cases involving states' rights.Textfield59: First, citizens are involved in the three branches of the government by voting. While federal judges are appointed by the President, and some have to have Senate approval, voting for your candidate for President, Senator, and Representative will insure you have a person who best represents your government and social beliefs and ideals. Citizens are also involved by keeping their representatives informed by letter or email or phone. Working on campaigns is another way to become involved. A citizen can also work at the local level, city, town, and state, to make his/her ideas heard. And, perhaps most important, citizens should become informed as to what the local, state, and national governments are doing and how this effects the citizen at home and how it effects our foreign policy. Textfield60: By creating three branches of government, the delegates built a "check and balance" system into the Constitution. This system was built so that no one branch of our government could become too powerful.

Each branch is restrained by the other two in several ways. For example, the president may veto a law passed by Congress. Congress can override that veto with a vote of two-thirds of both houses. Another example is that the Supreme Court may check Congress by declaring a law unconstitutional. The power is balanced by the fact that members of the Supreme Court are appointed by the president. Those appointments have to be approved by Congress. Textfield61: Textfield62: Textfield63: Textfield64: Textfield65: Textfield66: Textfield67: Textfield68: Textfield69: Barbara Mikulski (term expires 2017)Textfield70: Benjamin Cardin (term expires 2019)Textfield71: Donna Edwards (District 4) (term expires 4 Nov 2014) Rep. Candidate - Nancy HoytWrite_a_letter_about_a_national_issue_and_send_it: Show_your_letter_and_any_response_you_receive_to_y:

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Citizenship in the Nation

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