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★ Eagle requiredEdition 2026Active Merit Badge
Citizenship in the Nation
Official Requirements & Fillable Workbook · 2026 Edition
Citizenship in the Nation guides you through the founding documents, constitutional principles, and civic structures that unite the United States. You will analyze the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and historic speeches, follow national news, visit national landmarks or federal facilities, and communicate directly with your members of Congress on issues that matter to you.
Key Requirements Covered:
- U.S. Constitution & Bill of Rights
- Three Branches of Federal Government
- National Historic Landmarks & Heritage
- Active Citizenship & National Issues
8Printable Pages
8Requirements
2022Reqs Revised
What is on the worksheet: Citizenship in the Nation Requirements
Every requirement for the Citizenship in the Nation merit badge, word for word as published, with room to write under each one on the printed worksheet.
1The United States Constitution
What is the Constitution of the United States? What does the Constitution do? What principles does it reflect? Why is it important to have a Constitution?
2Six Purposes in the Preamble
List the six purposes for creating the United States Constitution set forth in the Preamble to the Constitution. How do these purposes affect your family and community?
3Three Branches of Government
List the three branches of the United States government. Explain:
- a The function of each branch of government
- b Why it is important to divide powers among different branches
- c How each branch checks and balances the others
- d How citizens can be involved in each branch of government
4Foundational Documents and National Motto
Discuss the importance of:
- a Declaration of Independence
- b Bill of Rights (the first 10 Amendments to the Constitution) and the 14th Amendment
- c E Pluribus Unum, the traditional United States motto
5Five-Day National News Log
Watch the national evening news for five days in a row or read the main stories in a national media organization (e.g., a newspaper or news website) for five days in a row. Discuss the national issues that you learned about with your counselor. Choose one issue and explain how it affects you, your family, and community.
6Historic National Speech Analysis
With your counselor's approval, choose a speech of national historical importance. Explain:
- a Who the author was
- b What the historical context was
- c What difficulties the nation faced that the author wished to discuss
- d What the author said
- e Why the speech is important to the nation's history
- f Choose a sentence or two from the speech that has significant meaning to you, and tell your counselor why.
7National Sites, Monuments, and Facilities
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 and what you learned about its function in the local community and how it serves this nation.
- d Choose a United States national monument that interests you. Using books, brochures, the internet (with your parent or guardian'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.
8Congressional Representatives and Letter
Name your representatives in the United States Congress. Write to your representative in Congress explaining your views on a national issue. Show your correspondence, along with any response you receive, to your counselor.
Two dates, two different things
Requirements Revision vs. Worksheet Date
Scouting America last revised the Citizenship in the Nation requirements in 2022. That is the badge, not this sheet — an older year does not mean the worksheet is out of date.
Verbatim Fidelity & Verification
This worksheet was checked against https://www.scouting.org/merit-badges/citizenship-in-the-nation/ in Aug 2026 and reproduces the requirements word for word. Both dates are printed on the sheet, so a copy in a binder can always be placed in time.
Requirement text is © Scouting America, reproduced verbatim. The worksheet layout and design are original to this project.
Spotted a discrepancy on this sheet? Tell us and we will re-check it against the official requirements.
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