Citizenship in the Community Merit Badge Activity Planner
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'Patrol Leader Merit Badge Planning Guide for the Citizenship_in_the_Community Merit Badge
*** Activities for the Youth Lead Patrol ***
Exploring Citizenship in the Community can be a fascinating youth adventure when done right. Here are a few tips to help the patrol leader get started.
- Scouts may never add or subtract from the actual merit badge requirements
- This Planner is only a suggestion of different ideas to make working this Merit Badge both fun and easy.
- While doing the Worksheet is not a requirement for earning this badge, in many cases it can help you learn key concepts and track your progress.
A. Make Your Plan
- Merit Badge Activity Planning Tips - 14 tips for a successful patrol activity. Read carefully before you start your plan!
- Share Your Plan - Meet ahead of time with your patrol, scout leaders, parents and especially with the Merit Badge Counselor. Make changes to the plan as needed.
- Prepare Activity Flyer - Keep your fellow scouts informed - events, activities, pre-requisites and more.
| Patrol Activity | GREAT | Awesome MB to work as a patrol / Allow 3-4 meetings |
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Field Trip | FAIR | Req #3 should be done in person |
| Family Activity | GREAT | See Req #5 |
| Service Activity | GREAT | See Reg #7 |
| S.T.E.M. Activity | FAIR | Learn about Technology in the Community |
| Field Trip | GREAT | Req #3 should be done in person |
| Duty-to-God | GREAT | See Reg #7 : Learn about Faith Based Service groups in the Community |
| MB Day | GREAT | Prequisites: City Hall Tour, Family Movie & Presentations Ready : 2,3,4,5,7&8, |
| Overnighter | GREAT | Find the best scout campground in your community! |
| Summer Camp | POOR | Too many prerequisites |
Online Resources
- Citizenship in the Community Merit Badge Requirements: BoyScoutTrial.com lists all requirements, additional resources, activity worksheet, etc.
- Citizenship in the Community Merit Badge File Store: Online resources
- Citizenship in the Community Merit Badge Worksheets: Worksheets are optional - but highly preferred by many MBC. When you find that many requirements say "discuss" - the worksheet can help you gather your thoughts beforehand.
- Citizenship in the Community Merit Badge Booklet: Everything thing you need to know about Citizenship is right here. Get this study guide from either Amazon or your Troop Library, Merit Badge Counselor or Scoutmaster to Learn More About this Subject.
- Citizenship in the Community @ Simple-Wikipedia: Get the basics quickly.
B. Introduction Meeting
Most merit badge activities do best to have a "introduction" meeting where the patrol can discuss how to get started and to plan out their field trips. Send out the activity flyer in advance to use as an meeting agenda. Your scouts will then know what to expect.
News Flash
- JOTA Video Tour
- ORANGE PARK –The North Florida Council of the Boy Scouts is creating an amateur radio station, KB4SA. KB4SA encourages, equips and prepares young people to be vibrant citizens and dynamic community leaders through the use of amateur radio and the practice of emergency communication guided by the Scout Oath and Scout Law.
C. Homework / Prerequisites
Assign one or more requirements that the scout can do at home, perhaps as a family activity.
- Required Reading:
- Citizenship @ Simple-Wikipedia: Get the basics quickly.
City Official Interview
- See Req #4 - Research a major issue in your community and interview a local official that can help. (Take your scout buddy with you.)
Family Movie Night
- Req #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."
Community Public Presentation
- Req #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."
D. Study Hall Patrol Night
While some scouts may be adept at self-study, others may do better in a small group setting and taking notes on worksheets. Make an agenda. You can facilitate discussion by asking them why each of the principles introduced here would be relevant. Schedule one or more patrol meetings to work this merit badge.
Patrol Research Group
- Req #1 - What is Citizenship
- Req #2 - Map & Chart Exercise
- Req #6 - List city services
Community Report Presentations
Schedule a special patrol night for the scouts to present their presentations about the community to the group (See Req #8 above in Homework.) Ask your MBC to join this meeting.
E. Field Trip
Two very significant field trips are a required part of this merit badge!
City Council Tour
- Req #3: Do the following: (Same also as Req #5: Communication Merit Badge - which is also required for Eagle.)
- a. Attend a meeting of your city, town, or county council or school board; Or attend 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.
Community Charity Service Tour
There are many, many charitable organizations and churches that serve your local community. You probably met one or more of these on a prior scouting activity such as Scouting for Food or an older scout's eagle service project. Also talk to your MBC for some suggestions.
- Reg #7: Do the following: (Track your Service Hours in Scoutbook!)
- 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.
F. Extra Credit
While none of these are actual requirements for this merit badge - they are terrific opportunities to show Scout Spirit, Do A Good Turn Daily and to have FUN!
- Activity Reflection: Use this meeting for scouts to ask questions and to reflect on what they gained personally from this adventure. You can also have a discussion on what future opportunities are here.
- Court of Honor Exhibit: Pictures, handiwork and other memorabilia from this adventure will make for a great presentation at the next Scout Troop Court of Honor.
Scouting for Food
Many scouts use the Scouting for Food program to satisfy the req #7. Many local charities and churches operate some form of food kitchen and rely solely on donations of food and other household supplies. Scouts deliver flyers announcing their day of curb-side pickup.
See Also
- Scouting Magazine - 10 Tips for Having Fun on Citizenship in the Community
- Citizenship in the Community- YouTube Special
Related Merit Badges
Sometimes it is easier by doing two or more merit badges together as a joint activity:
- Citizenship in the Community
- Citizenship in the Nation
- Citizenship in the World
- Communication - The requirement to attend City Hall also is in this badge too!