Scouts who earn the Eagle-required Citizenship in the Nation Merit Badge learn what it means to be a good citizen as well as the knowledge and means to create a positive change in the country.

Limited to the first 10 to sign up.  Others will be placed on a waiting list and notified if space(s) open up (and will be given priority if future sessions of the Clinic are held).

Format:  Online Live Clinic

Counselor:  Shawn Kiernan (ASM Troop 97)

Cost:  no charge

There will be two adults (Counselor plus one other) present throughout the Clinic - each of the adults are registered with Aloha Council BSA and are current with YPT.

Please be prepared for the Clinic by:

• Reviewing the Requirements (below) before the Clinic starts so you can meaningfully contribute to the discussion during the Clinic
• Completing the "Homework" prior to the Clinic if you want to complete the Merit Badge at the Clinic
• Transmitting an electronic blue card with Scout's information completed and Scoutmaster approval before the Clinic starts OR connecting with the counselor via Scoutbook

You can find links to the Merit Badge Worksheet from USScouts.org (as an aid in organizing your thoughts/responses), and Fillable Blue Card to the right side of the page (or below)

To find a virtual tour that can satisfy Citizenship in the Nation requirement 2(a), you can make the following searches on Google:

"National historic landmark" "virtual tour"
"National Register of Historic Places" "virtual tour"

The National Park Service also provides virtual tours 

For a virtual tour of a monument closer to home (the U.S.S. Missouri), contact  Neil Yamamoto (neily@ussmissouri.org) to arrange a tour.  If you pursue this option, please organize with the other Scouts in the clinic and contact Neil together to setup the tour as a consolidated group OR setup a tour for your Troop - Neil is an Eagle Scout and is graciously providing these tours on his own time so we don't want to be discourteous to him.  (Given the time frame, you'd be most likely be completing this requirement after the Clinic date, but you'd be getting a truly excellent tour.)  If you want contact info for the other Scouts in the Clinic to organize a tour, email Stanton Oishi (Stanton.Oishi@scouting.org).

Another local historical landmark is Iolani Palace (https://www.iolanipalace.org/virtualexperiences-resources/).

REQUIREMENTS

• IN-CLASS
• HOMEWORK

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.

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, 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.

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 might be different without each one.

(a) Declaration of Independence

(b) Preamble to the Constitution

(c) The Constitution

(d) Bill of Rights

(e) Amendments to the Constitution

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.

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.

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.

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.