Citizenship in Society Merit Badge

Scouting America has removed the Citizenship in Society merit badge on February 27, 2026 as part of its agreement with the Department of War to comply with Executive Order 14173. The order calls for ending DEI initiatives and removing language seen as political or divisive. Leaders stated that the badge did not align with the new federal requirements tied to military support and funding. By removing it, the organization says it is focusing again on its core values of leadership, character, duty to God, and duty to country while maintaining its partnership with the military.

 This information remains here for historical purposes.

The Citizenship in Society Merit Badge helps you learn how to treat others with kindness, fairness, and respect. You will think about how your words and actions affect the people around you. This badge also helps you understand that people may have different backgrounds, experiences, and ideas. As you work on the requirements, you will practice listening to others and helping everyone feel included.

While earning the Citizenship in Society Merit Badge, you will talk about real situations and learn how to make good choices. You will explore ways to build stronger teams in your troop, school, and community. You will also learn about leaders who showed honesty, courage, and respect when facing difficult situations. These discussions can help you become an upstander who speaks up when something is wrong.

The Citizenship in Society Merit Badge is different from many other merit badges because there is no official pamphlet. Instead, you will need to do your own research and think carefully about your answers. Much of this badge is based on discussion and reflection. Take your time with the requirements and be ready to share your thoughts and experiences as you learn.

There is no merit badge pamphlet for the Citizenship in Society Merit Badge. You will need to research and formulate answers on your own.

The Citizenship in Society Merit Badge is required for the rank of Eagle Scout starting in July 2022.

See the full requirements for the Citizenship in Society Merit Badge

Check Off Sheet for the Citizenship in Society Merit Badge

Printable Checklist for All Merit Badges

Find specific helps for the Citizenship in Society Merit Badge merit badge requirements listed on this page. Some of these resources will just give example answers. Others will provide background information to help you understand the questions.

• Requirement 1: Terms
• Requirement 2: Leadership
• Requirement 3: Ethical Decisions
• Requirement 4: Scenarios
• Requirement 5: Welcoming
• Requirement 6: Differences
• Requirement 7: Promoting Diversity
• Requirement 8: Event in Society
• Requirement 9: Leadership Outside of Scouting
• Requirement 10: Stereotyping
• Requirement 11: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
• Additional Resources

Requirement 1: Terms and the Scout Oath and Law

What You Need To Do

Research the terms identities, inclusion, diversity, discrimination, equity, ethical leadership, equality, and upstander. Be ready to talk with your counselor about what these words mean and how they connect to the Scout Oath and Scout Law.

Helpful Tips

• Write each term in your own notebook or document.
• Look up definitions from trusted sources.
• Use examples from school, Scouts, sports, or daily life.
• Identities include parts of who a person is, such as culture, religion, age, abilities, interests, or family background.
• Diversity means people in a group have different backgrounds, experiences, and ideas.
• Inclusion means everyone feels welcome and has a chance to join in.
• Equality means people get the same opportunities or treatment.
• Equity means people get the support they need based on their situation.
• Discrimination happens when people are treated unfairly because of personal traits or backgrounds.
• Ethical leadership means leading with honesty, fairness, respect, and responsibility.
• An upstander takes action to help when someone is treated unfairly or bullied.
• Compare the terms equality and equity so you can describe the difference clearly.
• Connect the terms to parts of the Scout Law such as kind, helpful, friendly, courteous, and brave.
• Use the Scout Oath when talking about helping other people and doing your duty.
• Practice your answers out loud before meeting with your counselor.

Leader Tips

• Use real-life situations Scouts can relate to.
• Encourage every Scout to join the discussion.
• Give Scouts time to form their own answers.
• Keep conversations respectful and focused on the Scout Oath and Law.

Requirement 2a: Leadership and Ethical Decisions

What You Need To Do

Describe what leadership means to you. Talk with your counselor about making ethical decisions and how leaders choose actions which are honest, fair, and respectful.

Helpful Tips

• Write down leadership traits you admire.
• Include examples from Scouts, school, sports, church, or home.
• Leadership includes helping others, setting a good example, and taking responsibility.
• Ethical decisions are based on honesty, fairness, and respect for others.
• Use the Scout Oath and Scout Law as guides when describing leadership.
• Think about times when a leader stayed calm during a problem.
• Consider how leaders handle mistakes and difficult choices.
• Talk about why communication is important for leaders.
• Include examples of leaders listening to different opinions.
• Think about how leaders include everyone on a team or group.
• Consider how bias can affect decisions and teamwork.
• Practice your discussion before meeting with your counselor.

Leader Tips

• Encourage Scouts to use personal experiences.
• Keep discussions focused on actions and choices.
• Help Scouts connect leadership to the Scout Oath and Law.
• Give Scouts time to organize their thoughts before speaking.

Requirement 2b: Positive Leadership Example

What You Need To Do

Research a person who showed positive leadership during an ethical decision. Explain the choices the leader faced, the action they chose, and the result of that choice.

Helpful Tips

• Choose someone you can easily research and discuss.
• Pick a leader from history, Scouts, school, sports, church, or your community.
• Look for a situation where the leader faced a difficult choice.
• Write down the options the leader had before making the decision.
• Include reasons the leader may have chosen that action.
• Describe how the decision affected other people.
• Use facts and examples from reliable sources.
• Think about whether the leader showed honesty, courage, fairness, or responsibility.
• Connect the leader’s actions to points of the Scout Law.
• Keep notes so you can organize your discussion clearly.
• Practice giving a short summary before meeting with your counselor.
• Choose a leader whose actions had a clear outcome you can describe.

Leader Tips

• Help Scouts choose leaders with clear examples of ethical decisions.
• Encourage Scouts to focus on actions and outcomes.
• Ask open questions to help Scouts organize their ideas.
• Keep conversations respectful when discussing difficult situations.

Requirement 3a: Your Ethical Decision

What You Need To Do

Talk about a time when you faced an ethical decision. Describe the situation, the action you took, how you felt afterward, and whether you would make a different choice in the future.

Helpful Tips

• Pick a real situation from school, Scouts, sports, work, or home.
• Choose an example with a clear choice between right and wrong actions.
• Describe the problem in simple terms.
• Include the choices you had during the situation.
• Explain why you picked your action.
• Talk about how your decision affected other people.
• Include your feelings after the situation ended.
• Think about whether your choice matched the Scout Oath and Scout Law.
• Consider how honesty, kindness, fairness, or bravery affected the situation.
• Write down your ideas before meeting with your counselor.
• Practice telling the story in order from beginning to end.
• Include one thing you might improve if a similar situation happens again.

Leader Tips

• Give Scouts enough time to reflect before discussing personal situations.
• Encourage honest conversations without judgment.
• Help Scouts connect their choices to the Scout Oath and Law.
• Keep discussions focused on actions, choices, and outcomes.

Requirement 3b: Future Ethical Decisions

What You Need To Do

List three ethical decisions you may face in the future at school, home, work, or in your community. Explain the actions you would take and how those choices connect to the Scout Oath and Scout Law.

Helpful Tips

• Choose realistic situations you could actually face.
• Include examples from different parts of your life.
• Consider situations involving honesty, fairness, or responsibility.
• Think about how peer pressure can affect choices.
• Include actions that show kindness and respect for others.
• Connect your examples to points of the Scout Law.
• Use the Scout Oath when describing service and helping others.
• Think about how your choices affect your reputation and relationships.
• Write short notes for each example before discussing them.
• Consider how an upstander would respond in each situation.
• Include actions that protect or support other people.
• Practice explaining your examples clearly and simply.

Leader Tips

• Encourage Scouts to choose age-appropriate situations.
• Help Scouts connect ethical choices to daily life.
• Ask questions that help Scouts explain their reasoning.
• Keep conversations respectful and practical.

Requirement 3c: Being an Upstander

What You Need To Do

Explain how you will use ethical decision-making in the future. Talk about ways you can act as an upstander and help other people in different situations.

Helpful Tips

• Review the steps of ethical decision-making before meeting with your counselor.
• Start by identifying the problem clearly.
• Gather facts before making a choice.
• Consider how your actions affect other people.
• Use the Scout Oath and Scout Law as guides during difficult situations.
• Think about long-term results instead of quick reactions.
• Speak up when someone is bullied or treated unfairly.
• Get help from a trusted adult when a situation feels unsafe.
• Support people who may feel left out or ignored.
• Include others during activities and conversations.
• Stay calm during disagreements or conflicts.
• Practice making respectful choices every day.

Leader Tips

• Encourage Scouts to use real-life examples when discussing upstander actions.
• Help Scouts focus on safe and respectful ways to respond.
• Reinforce connections to the Scout Oath and Law.
• Keep discussions supportive and encouraging.

Requirement 4a: Scenario 1 at Camp

What You Need To Do

Choose Scenario 1 and discuss how you would respond as a Scout. Talk about ways to help the camper who was treated unfairly and how you could show leadership during the situation.

Helpful Tips

• Stay calm during the situation.
• Help stop the problem before it grows worse.
• Check on the camper who was insulted.
• Avoid laughing or joining in with rude comments.
• Use respectful words when speaking to others.
• Remind others that offensive comments can hurt people.
• Encourage kindness and respect at camp.
• Get an adult leader if the situation continues.
• Help everyone return focus to the activity.
• Include the camper in future conversations or activities.
• Follow the Scout Law by being kind, friendly, courteous, and brave.
• Show leadership by setting a good example for others.

Leader Tips

• Encourage Scouts to focus on respectful actions.
• Help Scouts discuss safe ways to respond during conflict.
• Keep the discussion connected to the Scout Oath and Law.
• Reinforce the role of an upstander in group settings.

Requirement 4b: Scenario 2 and Cyberbullying

What You Need To Do

Choose Scenario 2 and discuss how you would help a friend facing cyberbullying and impersonation online. Explain actions you could take to support your friend and report the problem safely.

Helpful Tips

• Listen to your friend and offer support.
• Remind your friend they are not alone.
• Encourage your friend to save screenshots and messages.
• Help report fake accounts to the social media platform.
• Encourage your friend to tell a trusted adult.
• Avoid responding with angry messages online.
• Block accounts involved in the bullying.
• Review privacy settings for safety.
• Speak respectfully when discussing the problem with others.
• Support positive online behavior and kindness.
• Follow the Scout Law by being helpful, kind, and brave.
• Stay involved until your friend has support from trusted adults.

Leader Tips

• Remind Scouts to involve trusted adults during online problems.
• Encourage safe and respectful online behavior.
• Help Scouts focus on supporting the targeted person.
• Keep discussions practical and age appropriate.

Requirement 4c: Scenario 3 and Welcoming Others

What You Need To Do

Choose Scenario 3 and discuss how you would respond when someone is treated unfairly because of their background, speech, or clothing. Explain ways you could help the new student feel welcome and included.

Helpful Tips

• Avoid joining rude jokes or comments.
• Speak respectfully to the new student.
• Invite the student to join activities or conversations.
• Help stop hurtful comments when possible.
• Tell friends their words are disrespectful.
• Get help from a teacher or trusted adult if needed.
• Focus on kindness and inclusion.
• Respect cultural differences and family backgrounds.
• Remember that every person deserves dignity and respect.
• Use the Scout Law by being friendly, courteous, kind, and brave.
• Set a positive example for classmates.
• Continue including the student after the first interaction.

Leader Tips

• Encourage Scouts to discuss respectful ways to include others.
• Help Scouts connect inclusion to daily actions.
• Reinforce the importance of speaking up safely.
• Keep discussions focused on kindness and respect.

Requirement 5a: Creating a Welcoming Environment

What You Need To Do

Discuss ways you can help create a welcoming environment in your Scouting unit. Share actions you can take to help every Scout feel respected, included, and valued.

Helpful Tips

• Greet new Scouts when they arrive at meetings or campouts.
• Invite Scouts to join games, conversations, or activities.
• Include Scouts who may feel shy or left out.
• Use respectful language with everyone in the troop.
• Listen when other Scouts share ideas or opinions.
• Respect different backgrounds, cultures, and experiences.
• Help younger Scouts during activities when needed.
• Avoid jokes or comments which make others uncomfortable.
• Encourage teamwork during patrol activities.
• Support a zero-tolerance attitude toward bullying.
• Follow the Scout Law by being friendly, courteous, kind, and helpful.
• Lead by example during meetings and outings.

Leader Tips

• Encourage Scouts to share practical examples from troop life.
• Reinforce respectful behavior during all activities.
• Help Scouts connect inclusion to everyday actions.
• Create opportunities for all Scouts to participate.

Requirement 5b: Including Another Scout

What You Need To Do

Describe a time when you helped another Scout feel included and welcomed. Explain what actions you took and how the experience affected the other Scout and your unit.

Helpful Tips

• Choose a real experience from Scouts or another group activity.
• Describe how the Scout may have felt before your actions.
• Include specific actions you took to welcome the Scout.
• Talk about conversations, teamwork, or invitations you offered.
• Explain how the Scout became more involved afterward.
• Include how your actions matched the Scout Law.
• Think about how small actions can make a big difference.
• Mention ways you continued including the Scout later.
• Focus on kindness, patience, and respect.
• Keep your explanation clear and organized.
• Practice telling the story before meeting with your counselor.
• Include details about how the troop benefited from inclusion.

Leader Tips

• Encourage Scouts to use honest personal examples.
• Help Scouts focus on actions and outcomes.
• Reinforce the importance of small everyday acts of inclusion.
• Keep discussions positive and respectful.

Requirement 5c: Including Scouts in Decisions

What You Need To Do

Discuss ways to help all Scouts in your unit share ideas and take part in planning and decision-making. Explain how leaders and Scouts can make sure every voice has a chance to be heard.

Helpful Tips

• Encourage quieter Scouts to share ideas during discussions.
• Give everyone a chance to speak during meetings.
• Listen respectfully when others are talking.
• Avoid interrupting people during discussions.
• Ask for opinions from different patrol members.
• Include younger Scouts in planning activities.
• Use voting or group discussions for decisions when appropriate.
• Respect ideas even when you disagree.
• Encourage teamwork during planning sessions.
• Help create a positive meeting environment.
• Follow the Scout Law by being courteous, kind, and helpful.
• Support ideas which help the whole troop succeed.

Leader Tips

• Give Scouts structured chances to participate in discussions.
• Encourage respectful listening during meetings.
• Help quieter Scouts feel comfortable speaking up.
• Reinforce teamwork and cooperation during planning activities.

Requirement 6a: Talking With Someone Different From You

What You Need To Do

With permission from a parent or guardian, talk with another Scout or youth your age who has a different identity, background, belief, or characteristic from yours. Share what makes those parts of your identities meaningful or important to each of you.

Helpful Tips

• Choose someone you can speak with respectfully and comfortably.
• Be polite and friendly during the conversation.
• Listen carefully without interrupting.
• Ask respectful questions with curiosity.
• Avoid making assumptions about the other person.
• Share your own experiences honestly.
• Respect differences in culture, beliefs, interests, or family background.
• Focus on understanding the other person’s experiences.
• Use respectful and inclusive language.
• Look for shared interests or common experiences.
• Thank the person for sharing personal thoughts or experiences.
• Keep the conversation positive and respectful.

Leader Tips

• Encourage Scouts to approach conversations with respect and openness.
• Help Scouts prepare thoughtful and respectful questions.
• Reinforce active listening during discussions.
• Keep the focus on respectful communication and inclusion.

Requirement 6b: Exclusion and Inclusion

What You Need To Do

Share a time when you felt excluded from a group, or discuss the imaginary school lunch situation from the requirement. Explain feelings, actions, and ways people could have helped make the situation more welcoming.

Helpful Tips

• Describe the situation clearly and simply.
• Include how the situation affected your feelings.
• Talk about what actions you took afterward.
• Consider whether someone helped or supported you.
• Think about what could have improved the situation.
• Discuss ways people can include others in groups or activities.
• Remember that small acts of kindness can make a difference.
• Consider how an upstander could respond.
• Focus on respect, kindness, and inclusion.
• Use examples from school, Scouts, sports, or other activities.
• Connect your ideas to the Scout Law.
• Practice organizing your thoughts before meeting with your counselor.

Leader Tips

• Encourage honest and respectful conversations.
• Help Scouts focus on inclusion and support.
• Reinforce empathy and kindness during discussions.
• Keep discussions safe and age appropriate.

Requirement 6c: What You Learned

What You Need To Do

Discuss with your counselor what you learned from your conversation with the other Scout or youth. Share how the discussion may affect your future actions and interactions with others.

Helpful Tips

• Talk about new perspectives you heard during the conversation.
• Share ways the discussion helped improve communication skills.
• Include examples of similarities and differences you noticed.
• Discuss ways respectful conversations build stronger friendships.
• Explain how listening helps people feel respected and included.
• Consider how stereotypes can affect people unfairly.
• Talk about ways to include others in groups and activities.
• Connect your ideas to the Scout Oath and Scout Law.
• Think about how you can act as an upstander in the future.
• Focus on kindness, respect, and fairness.
• Share practical actions you can take in daily life.
• Practice summarizing your ideas before your discussion.

Leader Tips

• Encourage Scouts to reflect on their conversations thoughtfully.
• Reinforce respectful listening and empathy.
• Help Scouts connect the discussion to future actions.
• Keep conversations positive and constructive.

Requirement 7: Promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

What You Need To Do

Interview a person from your community, school, or Scouting group who has helped promote diversity, equity, and inclusion. If you cannot find someone locally, research a historical figure who worked to help people feel respected, included, and treated fairly. Discuss what inspired that person, challenges they faced, reasons for their success, and how their example can affect your own actions.

Helpful Tips

• Choose someone with clear examples of helping others feel included.
• Prepare questions before the interview or research session.
• Ask about challenges the person faced while helping others.
• Include examples of actions the person took to improve inclusion or fairness.
• Look for qualities such as courage, kindness, patience, and leadership.
• Consider how the person treated people with dignity and respect.
• Write notes during the interview or while researching.
• Include examples of teamwork, service, or community involvement.
• Think about how the person acted as an upstander.
• Connect the person’s actions to the Scout Oath and Scout Law.
• Consider ways you can use similar actions in your own life.
• Practice giving a clear summary before meeting with your counselor.

Leader Tips

• Help Scouts choose examples with clear positive actions and outcomes.
• Encourage thoughtful questions during interviews.
• Reinforce connections to leadership and inclusion.
• Keep discussions focused on practical actions Scouts can apply in daily life.

Requirement 8: An Event That Helped Society Become More Welcoming

What You Need To Do

With help from a parent or guardian, research an event that helped society become more welcoming toward a group of people. Discuss the event with your counselor and share what you learned from it.

Helpful Tips

• Choose an event with a clear positive impact on society.
• Use trusted sources for your research.
• Write down important facts, dates, and people connected to the event.
• Include information about the group affected by the event.
• Describe problems or unfair treatment people faced before the event.
• Explain how the event improved rights, opportunities, or inclusion.
• Talk about how laws, leadership, or public action helped create change.
• Connect the event to fairness, equality, and respect for others.
• Think about how the event still affects people today.
• Relate the ideas to the Scout Oath and Scout Law.
• Practice giving a short summary before meeting with your counselor.

Events to Consider

• 1863: The Emancipation Proclamation helped end slavery in Confederate states during the American Civil War.
• 1920: The 19th Amendment gave women the right to vote in the United States.
• 1954: Brown v. Board of Education ended racial segregation in public schools.
• 1964: The Civil Rights Act banned discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.
• 1965: The Immigration and Nationality Act removed unfair immigration quotas and allowed more immigration from many parts of the world.
• 1990: The Americans with Disabilities Act protected the rights of people with disabilities and improved access to public places and services.

Leader Tips

• Encourage Scouts to choose age-appropriate historical events.
• Help Scouts focus on positive changes and outcomes.
• Reinforce connections between history and inclusion.
• Keep discussions respectful and fact based.

Requirement 9a: Making Others Feel Included

What You Need To Do

Identify areas in your life outside of Scouting where you can help others feel included. Discuss actions you can take to welcome people and help them feel accepted and respected.

Helpful Tips

• Invite others to join activities or conversations.
• Include people who may feel shy or left out.
• Greet new students, teammates, or coworkers.
• Avoid jokes or comments which exclude others.
• Encourage teamwork during group activities.
• Respect different backgrounds and experiences.
• Include others during lunch, games, or projects.
• Pay attention to people who may feel uncomfortable alone.
• Use kind and respectful language.
• Connect your actions to the Scout Law by being friendly, kind, and courteous.
• Think about places such as school, sports, clubs, church, or work.
• Practice inclusion during everyday activities.

Leader Tips

• Encourage Scouts to use real-life examples outside of Scouting.
• Help Scouts focus on simple daily actions.
• Reinforce respect and kindness during discussions.
• Keep conversations practical and positive.

Requirement 9b: Practicing Active Listening

What You Need To Do

Discuss ways you can improve active listening in your daily life. Share how listening carefully helps people feel respected and valued.

Helpful Tips

• Give your full attention when someone is speaking.
• Avoid interrupting during conversations.
• Make eye contact when appropriate.
• Use polite responses to show attention.
• Ask respectful questions for clarification.
• Put away phones or distractions during conversations.
• Listen to different opinions without arguing.
• Stay patient when someone is sharing feelings or ideas.
• Repeat important details if needed for understanding.
• Practice active listening at home, school, work, or sports.
• Connect active listening to being courteous and kind.
• Focus on helping people feel heard and respected.

Leader Tips

• Encourage Scouts to practice listening during meetings and discussions.
• Help Scouts recognize distractions which affect communication.
• Reinforce respectful communication habits.
• Keep examples connected to everyday situations.

Requirement 9c: Creating Comfortable Environments

What You Need To Do

Discuss ways you can help create environments where people feel comfortable sharing ideas and perspectives. Explain actions which encourage respectful discussions and teamwork.

Helpful Tips

• Encourage everyone to share ideas during discussions.
• Avoid criticizing people for their opinions.
• Listen respectfully even during disagreements.
• Use calm and polite language during conversations.
• Thank people for sharing ideas or suggestions.
• Include quieter people in discussions.
• Help create a safe and respectful atmosphere.
• Stay open to perspectives different from your own.
• Encourage teamwork during projects or activities.
• Avoid interrupting or talking over others.
• Practice these skills at school, work, sports, or clubs.
• Connect these actions to the Scout Law.

Leader Tips

• Encourage Scouts to focus on respectful communication.
• Help Scouts discuss ways to support quieter group members.
• Reinforce teamwork and cooperation.
• Keep conversations centered on inclusion and respect.

Requirement 9d: Helping Others Feel Valued

What You Need To Do

Discuss ways you can help others feel valued for their ideas, suggestions, and contributions. Share how appreciation and respect help groups work better together.

Helpful Tips

• Thank people when they share ideas or help the group.
• Recognize effort as well as success.
• Include others in conversations and planning.
• Listen carefully to suggestions from others.
• Encourage teamwork and cooperation.
• Respect ideas even when you disagree.
• Give positive feedback during group activities.
• Avoid making fun of mistakes or suggestions.
• Support classmates, teammates, or coworkers during challenges.
• Practice kindness and encouragement daily.
• Focus on helping others feel respected and included.
• Connect your actions to the Scout Oath and Scout Law.

Leader Tips

• Encourage Scouts to recognize the value of all contributions.
• Help Scouts focus on positive communication.
• Reinforce respectful treatment of others.
• Keep examples connected to daily life situations.

Requirement 9e: Standing Up for Others

What You Need To Do

Discuss areas in your life where you can stand up for others and act as an upstander. Share actions you can take when someone is treated unfairly or excluded.

Helpful Tips

• Speak up calmly when someone is bullied or excluded.
• Support people who may feel left out or targeted.
• Get help from a trusted adult if needed.
• Avoid joining hurtful jokes or comments.
• Encourage respectful behavior in groups.
• Help others feel safe and included.
• Stay calm during difficult situations.
• Use respectful language even during disagreements.
• Support classmates, teammates, or coworkers facing unfair treatment.
• Focus on fairness, kindness, and respect.
• Practice courage by doing the right thing even when it feels uncomfortable.
• Connect your actions to being brave, kind, and helpful in the Scout Law.

Leader Tips

• Encourage Scouts to focus on safe and respectful actions.
• Help Scouts identify trusted adults for support.
• Reinforce the role of an upstander in daily life.
• Keep discussions practical and age appropriate.

Requirement 10: Stereotyping

What You Need To Do

Discuss how stereotypes can hurt people and lead to prejudice or discrimination. Share ideas for challenging assumptions and treating people as individuals instead of making judgments based on groups or appearances.

Helpful Tips

• Stereotypes are general assumptions about people based on a group or characteristic.
• Stereotypes often ignore individual personalities, experiences, and abilities.
• Prejudice happens when people form unfair opinions before knowing someone personally.
• Discrimination happens when people are treated unfairly because of stereotypes or prejudice.
• Think about examples of stereotypes in media, school, sports, or online conversations.
• Avoid making assumptions based on appearance, culture, religion, age, or background.
• Get to know people as individuals through conversations and activities.
• Listen respectfully to different experiences and perspectives.
• Challenge hurtful jokes or comments when you hear them.
• Support books, movies, and activities which include diverse people and experiences.
• Reflect on your own assumptions and be willing to improve.
• Connect these ideas to the Scout Law by being kind, courteous, friendly, and brave.

Leader Tips

• Encourage respectful and thoughtful discussions.
• Help Scouts focus on real actions which challenge stereotypes.
• Reinforce the importance of treating people as individuals.
• Keep conversations positive, practical, and age appropriate.

Requirement 11a: Supporting Others With Different Identities

What You Need To Do

Describe ways you can support people with different identities and help them feel included and heard in school, work, family activities, or community settings.

Helpful Tips

• Invite others to join conversations and activities.
• Listen respectfully to different opinions and experiences.
• Encourage everyone to share ideas during group discussions.
• Help create welcoming environments in clubs, sports, school, or work.
• Respect different cultures, beliefs, backgrounds, and experiences.
• Speak up when someone is excluded or treated unfairly.
• Support classmates or coworkers who may feel left out.
• Use respectful and inclusive language.
• Celebrate different traditions, skills, and perspectives.
• Encourage teamwork and cooperation.
• Connect your actions to the Scout Oath and Scout Law.
• Practice these actions during everyday interactions.

Leader Tips

• Encourage Scouts to use real-life examples.
• Help Scouts focus on practical actions they can take daily.
• Reinforce respectful communication and inclusion.
• Keep discussions positive and solution focused.

Requirement 11b: Benefits of Diverse Thoughts and Opinions

What You Need To Do

Explain how including different ideas and perspectives can improve interactions and help groups make stronger decisions and solve problems more effectively.

Helpful Tips

• Different perspectives help people see problems in new ways.
• Diverse opinions can improve teamwork and communication.
• Groups often make stronger decisions when more viewpoints are included.
• Different experiences can lead to creative ideas and solutions.
• Respectful discussions help people learn from one another.
• Diverse skills and knowledge strengthen teams and organizations.
• Inclusion can help people feel respected and valued.
• Listening to different opinions can reduce misunderstandings.
• Teams with different perspectives may solve problems faster.
• Diverse ideas can help schools, workplaces, and communities improve.
• Connect these ideas to fairness and respect in the Scout Law.
• Use examples from school projects, sports, work, or community activities.

Leader Tips

• Encourage Scouts to use practical examples from daily life.
• Help Scouts focus on teamwork and problem-solving.
• Reinforce respectful listening during discussions.
• Keep conversations connected to positive outcomes.

Requirement 11c: Harm From Limiting Diverse Input

What You Need To Do

Give three examples of ways limiting diverse input can cause problems or harm in groups, schools, workplaces, or communities.

Helpful Tips

• Groups may miss important ideas when only a few voices are heard.
• Lack of different viewpoints can lead to poor decisions.
• Teams may struggle with creativity when everyone thinks the same way.
• Problems can be overlooked without diverse experiences and perspectives.
• People may feel excluded or ignored when their ideas are not valued.
• Bias and unfair treatment can grow when groups avoid different opinions.
• Workplaces or schools may miss opportunities for improvement.
• Communities can become divided when people stop listening to each other.
• Innovation often slows when groups reject new ideas.
• Consider examples from history, school projects, sports, or workplaces.
• Connect your examples to fairness, respect, and inclusion.
• Practice explaining your examples clearly before meeting with your counselor.

Leader Tips

• Encourage Scouts to use clear and realistic examples.
• Help Scouts focus on outcomes caused by limited viewpoints.
• Reinforce respectful discussion habits.
• Keep examples age appropriate and practical.

Requirement 11d: Benefits of Diverse Opinions

What You Need To Do

Give three examples of how diverse opinions and perspectives can lead to innovation, stronger teamwork, and success.

Helpful Tips

• Different ideas can lead to creative problem-solving.
• Teams often become stronger when many viewpoints are included.
• Diverse experiences can improve products, services, or activities.
• Groups may adapt better to changes with varied perspectives.
• Inclusion can help people feel more invested in group success.
• Brainstorming with different viewpoints often creates new ideas.
• Schools and workplaces can improve by listening to many voices.
• Diverse perspectives can help identify risks or problems earlier.
• Innovation often grows from combining different experiences and ideas.
• Respectful teamwork can improve communication and trust.
• Use examples from technology, sports, community projects, or school activities.
• Connect your examples to leadership and the Scout Law.

Leader Tips

• Encourage Scouts to use examples connected to teamwork and leadership.
• Help Scouts focus on positive outcomes from inclusion.
• Reinforce the value of respectful collaboration.
• Keep discussions centered on practical real-world situations.

More about Merit Badges

The Citizenship in Society Merit Badge is part of the group of badges that help Scouts grow as responsible citizens. It joins other core badges that teach skills for life, leadership, and community service. While many badges focus on outdoor or technical skills, this one focuses on character and understanding people. It encourages Scouts to think about how they treat others and how they can make a positive difference in their communities.

In the large array of merit badges, the Citizenship in Society Merit Badge stands out because it centers on personal reflection and real conversation. It helps Scouts see how respect and inclusion are just as important as camping or first aid. This badge prepares Scouts to be thoughtful leaders who listen, care, and act with integrity. It connects to every part of Scouting by showing how the values of the Scout Oath and Scout Law guide everyday life.

More about Scouts BSA

The Citizenship in Society Merit Badge supports the goals of the Scouts BSA program by helping Scouts grow as leaders and citizens. It teaches respect, fairness, and understanding—qualities that build strong character. Just like fitness badges strengthen the body, this badge strengthens values and decision-making. Scouts learn how their actions affect others and how to include everyone in their teams and communities.

In the Scouts BSA program, leadership, citizenship, and personal growth all work together. The Citizenship in Society Merit Badge connects these areas by focusing on ethical choices and empathy. It helps Scouts practice the Scout Oath and Scout Law in real-life situations. Through open discussion and reflection, they gain confidence to lead with kindness, listen to others, and serve their communities. This badge builds the foundation for leadership that respects all people and promotes teamwork.

What is the Citizenship in Society Merit Badge?

The Citizenship in Society Merit Badge helps Scouts learn about respect, fairness, and inclusion. It teaches how to treat people with kindness and understand different points of view. Scouts learn how to be good citizens and leaders in their community.

Who can earn the Citizenship in Society Merit Badge?

Any Scout can earn the Citizenship in Society Merit Badge. It is one of the required badges for the Eagle Scout rank. Scouts usually work on it in middle school or high school when they are ready to talk about real-life situations and choices.

How is the Citizenship in Society Merit Badge different from other badges?

This badge does not have hands-on projects like camping or science badges. Instead, Scouts talk and think about real situations. They share ideas, stories, and personal experiences. It helps Scouts grow in understanding and learn how to make ethical decisions.

Is there a group discussion for the Citizenship in Society Merit Badge?

Yes. You will have talks with your counselor and another person or with a small group of Scouts. This follows Youth Protection rules. You can choose which setting makes you more comfortable.

What do Scouts learn from the Citizenship in Society Merit Badge?

Scouts learn how to be respectful, fair, and honest. They explore how to include others, listen well, and lead with care. They learn how to stand up for what is right and help others feel welcome.

Why is the Citizenship in Society Merit Badge important for Scouts?

This badge helps Scouts understand how their words and actions affect others. It prepares them to be good friends, fair leaders, and caring citizens. The lessons from the Citizenship in Society Merit Badge help in school, at home, and throughout life.

The Citizenship in Society Merit Badge helps Scouts learn how to treat others with kindness and respect. It guides them to see the value in every person and to understand how differences can make a group stronger. Scouts talk about what it means to be fair, honest, and helpful in everyday life. They learn how to make good choices that reflect the Scout Oath and Scout Law.

This merit badge focuses on real conversations instead of written tests. Scouts share thoughts about leadership, fairness, and how to stand up for what is right. They think about what it means to be an “upstander,” someone who speaks up to help others. These talks help Scouts see the world from other points of view and learn how to respond with care and understanding.

Working on the Citizenship in Society Merit Badge gives Scouts tools they can use anywhere. They learn to listen better, speak kindly, and include others in group decisions. These lessons help them in school, in their troops, and in their communities. Scouts finish the badge with stronger character and a better understanding of how to make the world a friendlier place.