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Movies for Citizenship in the Community Merit Badge

A Question about Movies for Citizenship in the Community Merit Badge

Requirement 5 for the Scouts BSA Citizenship in the Community merit badge reads:

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.

See the full requirements

I have been a counselor for this badge. Sometimes when doing an initial interview with a Scout, they don’t have any idea about movies for Citizenship in the Community Merit Badge. So it helps to make a few suggestions. Remind them that the movie must be approved by their parent also.

For parents and counselors, a good resource for checking out movies is Common Sense Media.  This site not only gives age guidelines for movies, but it also tells very specifically what parents might find objectionable. Different families have different standards about what might be appropriate for a 12 year old, so I find this very helpful.

A List of Movies for Citizenship in the Community Merit Badge

There are lots of movies for Citizenship in the Community Merit Badge. Here are some which I recommend:

  • October Sky (1999) – This movie is set in the 1950’s in a rather bleak mining town. One boy brings hope to the community by following his dream of becoming a rocket scientist. Based on a true story.
  • We Are Marshall (2006) – When most of the football team at a small West Virginia university die in a plane crash, the football program almost falls apart. But a few people work together to prevent that. Based on a true story.
  • The Blind Side (2009) – A wealthy family takes in a homeless young man and he becomes part of their family. With their support, he goes on to play football. Based on a true story.
  • It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) – I almost said no the first time a Scout asked if he could use this movie, because usually I tell them to stay away from fantasy. But he convinced me. This classic does a great job of showing how one person can make a difference in many lives.
  • Follow Me Boys (1966) – The boys in a small town are getting into trouble because they don’t have anything positive to keep them occupied. A young man (played by Fred MacMurray) decides to start a Scouts BSA Troop. The movie is fictional, but shows how one man’s decision to become a Scoutmaster can have a positive influence on many boys.
  • Pay It Forward (2000) – In this movie a young student turns a class assignment into a lesson about how helping others can increase goodwill in our world.
  • Radio (2003) – This is a heartwarming movie about the relationship between a coach and a football player. It shows how a a little care for the another person can transform a life.

So that should give you an idea of some movies for Citizenship in the Community Merit Badge. Sometimes the Scouts have surprised me with a very thoughtful recommendation of their own.

See the comments below for other recommendations from readers. Add your own recommendations for movies for Citizenship in the Community Merit Badge too!

citizenship in the community merit badge

More Citizenship in the Community Merit Badge Helps and Documents

Scouts learn how to be active members of their local community while working on the Citizenship in the Community merit badge.

They learn about local government and do service work in their region. They also research the history, culture, and demographics in their area.

The Citizenship in the Community merit badge is required for the rank of Eagle Scout.

Comments

3 responses to “Movies for Citizenship in the Community Merit Badge”

  1. Thomas Kisner Avatar
    Thomas Kisner

    There are lots of lists but I will tell you the most creative one I’ve signed off on – Ghostbusters. Hear me out 🙂

    Their local community was negatively impacted by paranormal activity – the public library, hotels, the streets, everywhere – the city was gripped in fear. The Ghostbusters bravely faced these challenges and gave hope to the entire community. When the federal government came in to stop them and jailed them, the Mayor intervened and released the Ghostbusters in order to save the city. When faced with the gravest menace (the Stay Puff Marshmallow Man), the Ghostbusters were willing to sacrifice their lives to save the community (by crossing the streams of their proton packs, which they believed would kill them). The Ghostbusters are then welcomed on the street as heroes.

  2. David Snody Avatar
    David Snody

    Remember the Titans

  3. David Snody Avatar
    David Snody

    Forrest Gump- though some may think of nothing but comedy laughing at the character of Forrest. It is a good story of one person overcoming personal battles and changing things for the better.

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