Every law you follow, every right you enjoy, and every vote you cast ties back to one thing: how our nation actually works. The Citizenship in the Nation merit badge is one of the core Eagle-required badges that helps you understand that system. Get ready to learn how the Constitution, Congress, the courts, and national leaders shape the country you live in every single day.
To earn Citizenship in the Nation, you’ll build on what you already know from rank requirements about government and the Constitution. You and your counselor will break down the Preamble, explore the three branches of government, and talk through major documents like the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, and the 14th Amendment. You’ll follow national news for several days, study a famous speech, visit a historic site or government facility, and write a real letter to your member of Congress, all while staying safe and respectful as you interact with civic spaces and public officials!
In this article, we’ll walk through why the Citizenship in the Nation merit badge matters, and what key skills you’ll pick up along the way. Then we’ll review each requirement with difficulty ratings so you know what to expect. Finally, we’ll go over some practical tips, visit ideas, and resource links to help you move through the badge smoothly and confidently. Ready to build the kind of civic awareness that every Eagle Scout should have? 🙂
Why The Citizenship In The Nation Badge Is Important
At its core, Citizenship in the Nation teaches one central idea: a free country only works when its citizens understand how it is built and how they can take part. This badge focuses on the Constitution, key American documents, and the ways everyday people connect with national government.
When you work through these requirements, you move from memorizing facts about branches of government to actually seeing the system in motion. You’ll connect headlines to real issues, see how historic speeches guided the nation through tough times, and practice speaking to elected officials yourself.
That shift takes you from basic civics knowledge to a stronger “systems and leadership” level, where you understand how decisions get made and how you can responsibly influence them as a future leader!
Citizenship In The Nation Merit Badge Overview (Eagle-Required)
| Merit Badge Name: | Citizenship In The Nation |
| Creation Date: | 1952, originally created as part of Scouting’s expanded focus on understanding American government and national heritage |
| Badge Difficulty: | 6 – Moderate (reading, discussion, a visit, and a thoughtful letter to Congress) |
| Top 3 Skills Covered: |
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| Fun Fact: | The Citizenship in the Nation merit badge was introduced in 1952, shortly after World War II, during a time when Scouting put extra emphasis on teaching American civic ideals and responsibilities to youth. You can see it today as one of several Eagle-required “citizenship” badges that grew from that focus on building informed citizens. Source |
| Ideal Ages To Earn: | 14–17, once you can follow national news and discuss nuanced issues comfortably. Around the time students take a civics class. |
| Merit Badge Pamphlet: | Citizenship In The Nation Merit Badge Pamphlet Link |
What Are The Citizenship In The Nation Merit Badge Requirements?
I’d suggest using the table below to plan your work. For this badge, many Scouts start with requirement 5 (following the news for 5 days) and 6 (speech of national importance) because they take planning and counselor approval. Next, batch your “discussion” requirements 1 through 4 together so you can talk them through in one or two focused meetings with your counselor. Then schedule requirement 7 (visit or research a historic place/monument) and 8 (letter to Congress), since these require outside coordination and can take the most calendar time.
| Req # | Requirement Summary | Requirement Group | Difficulty | ScoutSmarts Notes & Tips |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1. 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? | Understanding the Constitution | Medium | Prepare a short outline before meeting your counselor. Write bullet answers to each question: definition, what it does, principles, and importance. Think of real-life examples like voting, trials, or freedom of speech so your explanations sound natural instead of memorized. |
| 2 | 2. 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? | Understanding the Constitution | Medium | Memorize or print the Preamble and highlight the six purposes. Then, for each one, jot one sentence on how it shows up in real life around you. You can even bring a small chart to your counselor with “Preamble phrase” in one column and “family/community example” in the other. |
| 3 | 3. 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. | Government Structure & Civic Involvement | Medium-Hard | Make a simple three-column chart: Legislative, Executive, Judicial. Under each, list what it does, one or two checks, and at least one way citizens can get involved. Practice saying it out loud once or twice so it is easy to explain in your own words during your meeting. |
| 4 | 4. 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. | Founding Documents & Symbols | Medium | Look up a short summary of each item and write one key fact + one reason it matters today. For the Bill of Rights, pick 2 or 3 amendments that impact everyday life (speech, religion, trial by jury) so you have concrete examples ready for your discussion. |
| 5 | 5. 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. | Current Events & Media | Hardest | Treat this as a 5-day log. Before you start, pick your news source and write the dates you will watch or read. Each day, list 2 or 3 main national stories and a short note on what they are about. Afterward, choose one big issue and write 3 bullet points: impact on you, your family, your community. Bring your notes to your counselor so the discussion flows easily. |
| 6 | 6. 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. | Historical Speech & Analysis | Hard | Ask your counselor for suggestions before choosing. Common options include Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, MLK’s “I Have a Dream,” or JFK’s Inaugural Address. Print the speech, highlight key parts, and then answer a–f in a short paragraph each. Memorize the quote you choose for part f so you can recite it and explain why it matters to you. |
| 7 | 7. 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. | Visits & Historic Places | Medium-Hard | These are the ones that need the most scheduling. Plan visits early, especially if you need tickets or a tour time. Take photos and brief notes while you are there: when it was built, why it is important, and something that surprised you. For option d, bookmark 2 or 3 trustworthy sources and write a short summary before you meet your counselor. |
| 8 | 8. Name your representatives in the United States Congress. Write a letter to your representative in Congress explaining your views on a national issue. Show your letter, along with any response you receive, to your counselor. | Civic Action & Communication | Medium | Use official .gov sites to find your senators and representative by ZIP code. Choose the same national issue you used in requirement 5 so your research carries over. Draft your letter, have a parent or counselor proofread it, then send it by email or mail. Take a screenshot or print a copy to show your counselor, and save any reply you get. |
I shortened a few extra-long sections, so here’s a link to the full Citizenship In The Nation badge requirements from Scouting America.
Why Scouting America Includes The Citizenship In The Nation Badge
Citizenship In The Nation helps you understand how your country actually works, not just what you hear in quick headlines. As you work through this badge, you learn how the Constitution, the branches of government, and key documents all fit together to guide big national decisions. The big takeaway: you start to see how choices made in Washington affect real people like you, your family, and your community.
This badge also builds your judgment. You practice following the news, spotting major issues, and thinking through how they impact your life. Instead of getting overwhelmed or just repeating what other people say, you learn how to think ahead, evaluate information, and form your own opinions based on facts and principles.
When you study speeches, visit landmarks, and write to your member of Congress, you are learning to speak up thoughtfully and respectfully. Those are skills that strong leaders use for their whole lives. Citizenship In The Nation trains you to be the kind of person who understands the past, pays attention in the present, and helps guide the future.
Who The Citizenship In The Nation Badge Is Great For
Citizenship In The Nation is ideal for Scouts who are at least First Class and around 14 to 17 years old, but motivated younger Scouts can do well too if they are ready to read, think, and discuss. If you enjoy history, current events, or talking about big ideas, you will get a lot out of this badge. It is also required for Eagle, so every future Eagle Scout needs to complete it carefully.
This badge lines up perfectly with interests and careers like law, public service, military service, journalism, teaching, political science, public policy, and even business leadership. If you can see yourself as a lawyer, judge, journalist, officer, diplomat, or community leader someday, Citizenship In The Nation gives you an early foundation. You learn how government decisions connect to everything from local schools to national security.
When you earn Citizenship In The Nation, you’ll learn how our country functions and the steps you should take toward being an informed citizen. This was one of my favorite badges to earn, because it challenged me to complete “adult” tasks like writing a letter to my representative – and I even received a response!
– Cole K
Insider Tips to Finish Citizenship In The Nation Faster
This badge has a lot of talking, reading, and visiting, so your best strategy is to plan ahead and group similar work. If you stay organized and treat it like a mini project instead of random tasks, you can finish it smoothly without rushing at the last minute.
- Know the “gatekeeper” requirements first: Requirements 1, 2, 3, and 4 are your foundation. Until you truly understand the Constitution, the branches of government, and key documents, the rest of the badge will feel confusing. Start by reading these requirements carefully and taking simple notes in your own words.
- Batch your government and document work together: You can study the Constitution, Preamble, branches of government, Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights, and motto all in the same week. Use one notebook page for each requirement, and write short bullet points instead of full essays so you stay focused and efficient.
- Use plain language to explain concepts: When you answer questions like “What is the Constitution?” or “Why are powers divided?”, avoid memorizing definitions. Practice explaining your answers out loud to a parent or friend. If they get it, you are ready to talk to your counselor.
- Plan requirement 5 around your normal routine: For watching or reading national news for five days, choose a specific time that already fits your day, like right after dinner. I personally watched it with my Dad, and discussed our views afterward. Screenshot or write down headlines and one or two sentences about each story so you remember what you saw and can easily discuss it later.
- Batch the “visit or tour” options in requirement 7: If you can, knock out both of your two required options in a single day or weekend. For example, you might visit a National Historic Landmark and then research a national monument that evening. Take photos and jot down 5 things you learned at each place so you have plenty to talk about with your counselor.
- Choose your historical speech wisely: For requirement 6, pick a speech that actually interests you. I’d recommend Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream,” JFK’s inaugural address, or another speech you might study in school. Try reading it aloud first, then summarize each main idea in a sentence. This makes explaining the context, problems, and meaning much easier.
- Talk to your counselor early: Before you visit any sites or choose your speech, contact your counselor and say something like, “I am planning to use the Gettysburg Address for requirement 6 and visit [site] for requirement 7. Does that meet the requirements, and do you have any suggestions?” This shows respect, avoids redo work, and sometimes gets you extra tips.
- Handle the letter to Congress like a real conversation: For requirement 8, keep your letter clear and respectful. Start with who you are, then explain the national issue, why you care about it, and what you hope your representative will consider. Ask a direct question so you are more likely to get a reply, and keep a copy to show your counselor.
- Combine school assignments with this badge: If you’re taking a civics class or learning about American history in school, see what overlaps with requirements 1 through 4 and 6. You can use the same knowledge for both, as long as you still have a real conversation with your merit badge counselor.
- Prepare for the final discussion: Before your last meeting, quickly review your notes from each requirement and practice answering the key questions out loud. This helps you sound confident and organized, and your counselor will see that you took the badge seriously.
The Most Important Skills You’ll Learn
Citizenship In The Nation gives you mental skills that carry way beyond Scouting. You are learning how to understand your country, think through tough issues, and speak up in a respectful and informed way.
If you keep your eyes open while working on this badge, you will notice that you are training your brain to pay attention to details, ask questions, and see both the big picture and the practical impact on everyday life. Some of the biggest real-life skills you gain will be:
- Critical thinking about laws and government: You learn how the Constitution is structured and why it matters. In real life, this helps you sort out facts from opinions when you hear people argue about laws, rights, or politics.
- Understanding complex documents: You read and make sense of things like the Preamble, the Bill of Rights, and major speeches. This skill helps you handle contracts, instructions, and any long or confusing documents you come across as an adult.
- Following and analyzing current events: You practice tracking national news for several days and thinking about how it affects you. This builds a habit of staying informed instead of tuning everything out or getting misled by quick social media takes.
- Respectful communication with leaders: Writing to your member of Congress teaches you how to share your views clearly and respectfully with people in authority. That same skill helps with teachers, bosses, future college admissions, or job applications.
- Connecting history to your own life: By studying historic speeches and sites, you see that the problems and debates of the past are similar to today’s issues. Understanding that pattern helps you avoid repeating mistakes and make smarter choices in the future.
- Planning and organization: There are multiple visits, readings, and discussions in this badge, so you learn how to schedule, batch tasks, and keep notes. Those habits pay off in school projects, sports, jobs, and any long-term goal you go after.
When you keep these skills in mind during the badge, you will see each requirement as part of a bigger picture of you becoming a stronger citizen and leader. If you keep using the same skills in your daily life, you will be better prepared for almost anything the world throws at you.
Citizenship In The Nation Merit Badge FAQs
Is Citizenship In The Nation required for Eagle Scout?
Yes. Citizenship In The Nation is one of the required badges for Eagle. That means you want to take your time, understand the material, and not just rush to “get it signed off” because the knowledge really matters for your future.
What is usually the hardest requirement for Citizenship In The Nation?
Many Scouts find requirement 6 (the historical speech) or requirement 5 (following the news and discussing an issue) to be the hardest. They are not difficult in terms of work, but they do require you to think, explain, and express your own opinions clearly. If you choose a speech and a news topic that you care about, these become a lot easier and more interesting.
Do I have to visit Washington, D.C., for the visit and tour options in requirement 7?
No. You can complete requirement 7 in several ways without traveling to Washington, D.C. Visiting a local National Historic Landmark, a site on the National Register of Historic Places, your state capitol, or a nearby federal facility can all qualify if your counselor approves and you learn about its history and function.
How formal does my letter to my member of Congress need to be?
Your letter should be respectful, clear, and free of slang, but it does not need to be perfect or overly fancy. Introduce yourself as a Scout working on the merit badge, explain the national issue, share how it affects you or your community, and ask your representative to consider your view. Your counselor mainly wants to see that you took the task seriously and communicated thoughtfully.
Can I use schoolwork or class notes to help with this badge?
Yes, you can absolutely use what you have learned in school about the Constitution, government, and American history to help with this badge. Just remember that you still need to discuss each requirement with your counselor and show that you personally understand the ideas, not just copy from a textbook.
How long does Citizenship In The Nation usually take to complete?
The time varies a lot, but most Scouts complete it over a few weeks to a month. The five days of news, arranging visits, and waiting for a possible response from your representative can spread things out. If you plan early, batch similar requirements, and communicate with your counselor, you can finish confidently without it dragging on.
Do I need to memorize the Preamble or every detail about the Constitution?
No, memorization is not required, although knowing parts of the Preamble can be helpful. What really matters is that you can explain what the Preamble and Constitution mean, why they were created, and how they affect you and your community today.
Resources For Earning Your Citizenship In The Nation Badge
Helpful Citizenship In The Nation Resources
These links will support your work on the Citizenship In The Nation merit badge.
Remember to talk with your counselor before starting visits or choosing your speech so you do not have to redo anything, and keep simple notes from each requirement so your final discussion is easy and confident.
Closing Thoughts
As you work through Citizenship In The Nation, remember that this is training you to think clearly, speak respectfully, and step up as the kind of citizen and leader your community will need in the future. Stay curious, ask real questions, and give yourself credit for every step forward!
If you want a deeper reference, you can look up the official Citizenship In The Nation merit badge pamphlet on Amazon. Also, be sure to keep the full ScoutSmarts Citizenship In The Nation guide handy while you work through each requirement. Now, you’re 100% ready to earn this Eagle-required badge, and learn a ton about our magnificent country along the way!