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Aims of Scouting – Citizenship

The aims of Scouting are character development, citizenship training, personal fitness (both mental and physical), and leadership development.

Here are some ideas about how citizenship training is incorporated into the Scouting programs offered by BSA. I’ve also included some helps and activities which are specifically designed to engage Scouts of all ages in participatory citizenship.

Cub Scouts

  • Cub Scouts learn about America’s heritage
  • Through small service projects, Cub Scouts learn to take pride in helping the community
  • Cubs learn flag etiquette and basic citizenship skills
  • Cub Scouts learn about everyday heroes who make our communities better and safer places to live

Scouts BSA

  • Scouts BSA learn about their rights and duties as US citizens as part of the early rank requirements
  • The Citizenship in the Community, Citizenship in the Nation, and Citizenship in the World merit badges help Scouts BSA learn how they can be useful members of larger communities.
  • By learning to take care of the environment, they preseve our natural reasources for everyone’s benefit
  • Scouts BSA also perform service projects to benefit organizations and individuals in the community.

Venturing

  • Venturing develops strong leaders who will serve our country as they mature
  • Venturers learn about the importance of putting others before themselves through service projects. Service is one of the four pillars of Venturing.

How does your unit incorporate participatory citizenship into its program? Put your ideas in the comments below.

Displaying the US Flag with Other Flags

The US Flag is the symbol of our country. Scouts should know how to fold it, fly it, and handle it. Flag etiquette is part of many of the Scout requirements. In many cases, the rules are pretty straightforward. But in other cases, you just need to know the rules. For example, it gets more complicated when you are flying the US flag with flags from other nations. Here are the basics.

Scoutmaster Minute – Only One

Here is a Scoutmaster Minute which reminds us not to focus on the big insurmountable problem. Instead, just do what you can.

USA Cub Scout Theme

Teaching citizenship is one of the Aims of Scouting. So here are some ideas for promoting knowledge of the United States of America and encouraging participatory citizenship.

Cubmaster or Scoutmaster Minute: Threads and Flags

The US flag is a symbol of our country. When we honor it, when honor all of those who have protected our freedom through the years, especially those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our liberty. The flag also helps us focus on our national unity. We might not agree on everything, but we recognize that there are core principles which bring us all together.

Memorial Day Good Turn

Yesterday we went out to Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery and participated in the 61st annual Memorial Day Good Turn. This event really seems to help our Scouts understand what Memorial Day is all about.

Scoutmaster Minute – Cheerful Service

With Order of the Arrow elections approaching in the coming months, I though I’d share this Scoutmaster minute about cheerful service. It will help the troop remember what they should be basing their votes on and it should help current OA members remember the ideals they should be trying to live up to.

A Simple Flag Retirement Ceremony

When retiring a United Stated flag, some people will say that you must do it this way or that way, but according to the Flag Code, it just needs to be done with dignity.

What Is the Order of the Arrow?

Some of you may have Scouts BSA or Venturers in your families who are in the process of becoming members of the Order of the Arrow. Just when you thought you were getting a grasp on Scouting, they threw something new at you!

Another Citizenship Pack Meeting Plan

A Citizenship-themed Pack meeting need not be boring. Add a little fun to your teaching, and good luck!

Simple Indoor Opening Flag Ceremony

Many of our kids have not been exposed to flag etiquette before their first flag ceremony, so take the time to give them some basic instruction. This is a very simple opening flag ceremony for Cub Scouts to use at Den and Pack meetings.

Service Project Ideas for Scouts BSA

Scouts BSA are required to participate service projects for rank advancement. Our troop encourages all Scouts to participate in service projects whether they need the hours or not.

Citizenship Football Game

Citizenship Football Game is a fun way to help Webelos and Scouts BSA work on citizenship requirements.

Citizenship Troop Program Feature for Scouts BSA

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.

Flag Retirement and Grommets

A reader asks about what to do with the grommets after a flag retirement ceremony. What are your opinions?

Wolf Council Fire (Duty to Country) Adventure: Cub Scout Helps and Ideas

Council Fire (Duty to Country) is one of the Wolf required adventures. For this adventure, Wolves learn about being a member of a community. They plan a service project, look for ways they can help in their area, and actively participate in making their community better.

Simple Indoor Closing Flag Ceremony

Basic instructions for a very simple closing flag ceremony. This simple closing flag ceremony is appropriate for a den, pack, or other meeting.

Messengers of Peace

The Boy Scouts of America joined the Messengers of Peace initiative in 2012. This program encourages Scouts around the world to work for peace by being a positive force in their communities.

How to Fold the US Flag

The US flag is the symbol of our country and every Scout should know how to handle it. One thing I emphasize when working with Scouts on flag etiquette is that the most important thing is respect. Scouts are going to make mistakes from time to time, but they should always do their best to be respectful.

Raising and Lowering the US Flag

These are some basic rules for raising and lowering the US flag. The most important rule to remember is to always treat the US flag with dignity and respect. It is the symbol of the United States of America. Remember that many men and women have given their lives defending the liberty and freedom it represents.

The Flag Remembers Christmas

You need to highlight the flag during this ceremony. Put a spotlight on it or have two scouts hold it up, or something like that.

Lion King of the Jungle Adventure: Cub Scout Helps and Ideas

For the King of the Jungle adventure, Lions learn about how to handle the US flag and about responsibility and leadership.

Scout Ceremonies

Scout ceremonies are designed to focus a groups attention. I have many ceremonies here which are appropriate for Cub Scouts and for older Scouts. Do you have a ceremony you’d like to share? Contact me and I’ll share it here.

Ideas for Cub Scout Pack Meeting on Citizenship

One of the Aims of Scouting is to teach Cub Scouts about citizenship. According to the program helps citizenship is: “Contributing service and showing responsibility to local, state, and national communities. Cub Scouts develop good citizenship when they are learning about respecting the flag and providing service to the community.”

Make a Difference to One Scoutmaster Minute

This Make a Difference to One Minute can be used as a Cubmaster/Scoutmaster/Advisor Minute or it can be used with adults to encourage more participation in the Committee.

Webelos/AOL Build My Own Hero Adventure: Retired

(Note: BSA is retired this adventure on May 31, 2022. This information remains here for historical purposes.) Build My Own Hero is one of the Webelos/Arrow of Light elective adventures. For the Build My Own Hero adventure, Webelos learn how to be a hero in their own communities, recognize real life heroes, and design their own superhero.

Fifty Great States Pack Meeting Plan (Citizenship)

BSA has a Cub Scout pack meeting plan called Fifty Great States related to citizenship. The Fifty Great States meeting plan features games, group activities, songs, and more to help Cub Scouts become good citizens in their Packs and communities.

History of the United States Flag Cootie Catcher or Fortune Teller

Barb sent in this template and instructions for making a cootie catcher make a history of the US flag cootie catcher to help Cub Scouts. A cootie catcher, also called a fortune teller, is an orgami construct which can be used to ask and answer questions.

Lion Animal Kingdom Adventure: Cub Scout Helps and Ideas

The Animal Kingdom adventure introduces Lions to the concepts of service, responsibility, and citizenship. Here are a few ideas to help you with this achievement. and some checkoff sheets .

Arrow of Light Building a Better World Adventure: Cub Scout Helps and Ideas

The requirements for the Building a Better World adventure help Webelos learn about good citizenship and good stewardship of our resources. Webelos working towards Arrow of Light will learn about the flag, become more engaged in their communities, explore energy conservation, and develop leadership skills. Here are a few ideas to help you with this achievement. and some checkoff sheets .

Your Vote Counts Cub Scout Theme (Citizenship)

BSA has a Cub Scout pack meeting plan called Your Vote Counts. The Your Vote Counts meeting plan features ideas for the value of citizenship – games, group activities, songs, and more.

Scouts and Service Projects

One of the Aims of Scouting is Character Development. One aspect of character development is learning to care for others. Through Scouting, young men and women learn to work to make life better for everyone by participating in service projects. Age appropriate service is expected of all Scouts, from Cub Scouting, to Scouts BSA, to Venturing.

State Capitals Game: Bingo Cards

One theme for teaching citizenship is the Fifty Great States theme. This state capitals game with bingo would be a fun game or gathering activity to go with this theme. You can play this game with states or capitals on the bingo cards or the call cards. You can choose which combination of bingo cards and call cards you would like to use

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