Citizenship Troop Program Feature for Scouts BSA

BSA has created updated versions of the Troop Program features for Scouts BSA. The Citizenship program feature is available in digital format on the BSA website or can be purchased as a publication from you local Scout Shop.

The Citizenship feature teaches Scouts understand their rights as US citizens. It also demonstrates how these rights are balanced by duties like paying taxes and voting. The program feature includes some general information and some more specific ideas for meetings:

The branches of the United States government
Checks and balances
The duty to serve the community
The non-partisan nature of Scouting

Suggested troop meeting ideas are grouped by essential, challenging, or advanced. Here are a few you can see in the guide.

Discuss the branches of the US government and local government (essential)
Discuss how local, state, and federal governments work together (challenging)
Discuss the structure of local, state, and federal governments (advanced)
Discuss how to participate in the community (essential/challenging)
Discuss paying taxes honestly and on time (advanced)
Discuss local laws (essential)
Learn how laws are enforced (challenging)
Review the Bill of Rights and how bills become laws (advanced)
Explain the difference between criminal and civil courts (essential)
Explain how the Supreme Court figures into checks and balances (challenging)
Review some Supreme Court cases and debate (advanced)

There are also several games suggested to keep things interesting at your troop meetings

Mock Election
Guess the President
Bill to Law
Mock Court Case

The plan even provides Scoutmaster’s minutes and ceremonies for meetings.

Then there is the “Main Event”. Once again, there are suggestions for essential, challenging, or advanced. Details and planning aids can be found in the online guide.