American Heritage Merit Badge Activity Planner
American Dreamers come from all walks of life, and they all have something special to share about why they hold this country and our American Heritage so dear. |
---|
'Patrol Leader Merit Badge Planning Guide for the American Heritage Merit Badge
*** Activities for the Youth Lead Patrol ***
Exploring American Heritage 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 | FAIR | Quite a bit of research work / pioneer museum field trip would be fun. |
---|---|---|
Virtual Field Trip | GREAT | Several Virtual field trip options. |
Family Activity | GREAT | Family History Research - Local family outings. |
Service Activity | GREAT | Do service projects for museums that you visit. |
S.T.E.M. Activity | FAIR | Learn about our country's great scientists and inventions |
Field Trip | GREAT | Two field trips required |
Duty-to-God | GREAT | Explore famous historic local churches. |
MB Day | GREAT | Big prequisites but a great sitdown discussion topic |
Overnighter | GREAT | Campout at local historic site or hiking trail. |
Summer Camp | POOR | Lots of history research best done from home. |
Online Resources
- American_Heritage Merit Badge Requirements: BoyScoutTrial.com lists all requirements, additional resources, activity worksheet, etc.
- American Heritage Merit Badge File Store: Online resources
- American Heritage 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.
- American_Heritage Merit Badge Booklet: Everything thing you need to know about AmericanHeritage 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.
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.
C. Homework / Prerequisites
Assign one or more requirements that the scout can do at home, perhaps as a family activity.
- Required Reading:
- Heritage @ Simple-Wikipedia: Get the basics quickly.
- Req #1: Rewrite the Declaration of Independance - USHistory.org
- Req #2-1: First American Heritage Research Project
- Req #2-2: Second American Heritage Research Project
- Req #3c : Family Heritage Research Project - See Genealogy Merit Badge Activity Planner for some ideas on how to do this (and earn another merit badge too?)
- Req #5: Two Movies, 1 Biography or 5 Historic Songs - Heritage Research Project
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.
Discuss with your MBC the following :
- Req #3a: Current News Discussion
- Req #3b: National Treasures Discussion:
- 1. Flag of the United States - Wikipedia
- 2. The Pledge of Allegiance - Wikipedia
- 3. The Great Seal of the United States - Wikipedia
- 4. the motto - Wikipedia
- 5. the national anthem - Wikipedia
- Req #6: Careers Discussion:
Pre-Open Gathering Activity
- Short Video of American Heritage Story
- Display Artifacts from American Heritage
Sharing Night with MBC
This merit badge calls for a number of research projects. It may be best to select a patrol night where each scout has an opportunity to share their discoveries and heritage with the MBC and the rest of the patrol.
- Req #1: Rewrite the Declaration of Independance - USHistory.org
- Req #2-1: First American Heritage Research Project
- Req #2-2: Second American Heritage Research Project
- Req #3c : Family Heritage Research Project - See Genealogy Merit Badge Activity Planner for some ideas on how to do this (and earn another merit badge too?)
- Req #5: Two Movies, 1 Biography or 5 Historic Songs - Heritage Research Project
E. Two Field Trips
A related field trip with the MBC will be a great time to do the second half of this merit badge activity. This merit badge actually calls for two such field trips activities. Your MBC may be able to suggest some fantastic local sites to visit.
Req #4. Do TWO of the following (Field Trips!):
4A: Local Historic Site Map (Virtual Tour)
4a. Explain what is meant by the National Register of Historic Places and how a property becomes eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. Make a map of your local area, marking the points of historical interest. Tell about any National Register properties in your area. Share the map with your counselor, and describe the historical points you have indicated.
4B: Visit Local Historic Site (Virtual Tour?)
4b. Research an event of historical importance that took place in or near your area. If possible, visit the place. Tell your counselor about the event and how it affected local history. Describe how the area looked then and what it now looks like.
4C: Town History Museum (Virtual Tour?)
Almost every community has a local history museum. A visit there in person (or online) can help you answer this question:
4c. Find out when, why, and how your town or neighborhood started, and what ethnic, national, or racial groups played a part. Find out how the area has changed over the past 50 years and try to explain why.
4D: Historic Program
Many local museums coordinate one or more events per year with youth and family participation to reenact a major historical event. Ask the Museum or MBC about one in your area.
4d. Take an active part in a program about an event or person in American history. Report to your counselor about the program, the part you took, and the subject.
- Civil War Traveler - Recreate historic events year round.
4E: Historic Trail Hike
That local museum above might be at the end point of just such a famous trail.
4e. Visit a historic trail or walk in your area. After your visit, share with your counselor what you have learned. Discuss the importance of this location and explain why you think it might qualify for National Register listing.
Historic Site Campout
There may be a national historic site (Req #2a) that feature overnight camping tours; This is by far one of the funnest adventures associated with this merit badge. Here are a few examples:
- USS Midway Museum - historic floating museum and national landmark, this famous aircraft carrier is docked in San Diego Harbor and regularly hosts overnight scout and family campouts. Many exhibits help visitors explore the development of science and technology in the military during the 20th Century. Explore aviation, citizenship and engineering activities onboard. Sleep overnight in the crew bunks onboard the ship!
- New Jersey State Historic Sites - The Spirit of the Jerseys State History Fair offers several opportunities for Scouts BSA to meet requirements for Merit Badges.
Virtual Field Trip
Many MBC for this subject have an amateur radio station at home with which they can do a virtual tour with your patrol.
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.
Field Trip Service Projects
Most of the historic sites of service project opportunities. Many eagle service projects opportunities may be found here also.
- Scout Cemetery Service Projects - BoysLife.org - Special Feature at BoysLife. Check out these Eagle Scouts engaged in several different types of amazing Genealogical Service projects. Historic cemetery repairs, battlefield restoration, flag display monuments, burial records, memorial gardens and much more.
- National Constitution Center- Scout Days - At the National Constitution Center, scouts will enjoy action-packed day learning about American history and the importance of good citizenship—all while meeting badge, patch, or journey requirements!
Duty to God
Scouts working on this activity may get special credit for earning their Religious Emblems Award.
A number of famous historic sites have a religious theme background behind.
Related Merit Badges
Sometimes it is easier by doing two or more merit badges together as a joint activity:
- Citizenship in the Nation - required for Eagle
- Reading - required for Eagle
- Genealogy - See Req #3c above.
- Archaeology - Historic Sites Field Trip / STEM-NOVA Awards
- Indian Lore - First inhabitants of the Americas
- Music
Learn More: 9 Things to Know about Merit Badges - BoysLife.org - There are more than 135 merit badges. By earning them, you can learn about sports, crafts, science, trades, business, and future careers. Here’s how to get the most out of your merit badge experience.