WEBELOS

Note from Commissioner Dave – This Webelos section is reprinted from the August 2002 Baloo with a few additions.  I need to improve my resources for Webelos Activity Badges.

Citizen (2^nd Year)

National Capital Area Council

The Webelos Leader must plan so the boys get feeling for the real meaning of citizenship without spending a lot of time in study.  One of the best ways to stress the meaning of citizenship is by practicing the good turn.

The appeal of this badge to the boys will be determined in large part by the method used by the Webelos Leader in presenting it.  It can be exciting, fun and informative; or it can be just some more reports to write.  Because of its importance, the leader is encouraged to make a special effort in planning it.

Exactly what is citizenship?  What does it mean?  Where does the word come from?  Citizenship comes from the Latin word civitas which means citizens united in a community.  Citizenship means full membership of a nation, state, or community and full membership means taking part in every aspect of the community or nation that is possible.

The following is a partial list of the qualities of a citizen and some of the rights and duties of a citizen.   Our Constitution says that we have these rights and guarantees them to us.

Your Rights As A Citizen:

The right to equal protection under the law and equal justice in court.

The right to be free from arbitrary arrest or search.

The right to equal education and economic opportunity.

The right to select public offices in free elections.

The right to own property.

The right to free speech, press, and assembly.

The right of religious freedom.

The right to have a lawyer and a speedy court trial if accused of a crime.

Your Duties As A Citizen:

If you are going to have rights as a citizen and you want to keep. them, then you also have certain duties that you must take care of.  Your duties as a citizen are:

·         Obey the laws.

·         Respect the rights of others.

·         Keep informed on issues of National and local government.

·         To vote in elections.

·         To serve and defend your country.

·         To assist the agencies of law enforcement.

·         To practice and teach good citizenship in your home.

Citizenship Pledge:

"As future citizens, we will do our best to be prepared in body and will, in spirit and skill.  We accept our obligation to God and will show by our actions we are willing to serve others and be good members of the Scouting team".

Den Activities:

• While working on this badge is a good time to teach the history of the flag, how to display it, how to respect it, and the care and handling of it.  If you should need to know more information about the flag you could use as your source a good encyclopedia.  The Marines have a pamphlet out about out flag and also have posters.

• Discuss requirements of Badge with boys.  Decide on a good turn for the school, church or community and plan how to carry it out.  Perhaps the den will want to involve the whole pack in their good turn, so that all the boys will be included in the excitement and rewarding feeling of doing something for others.

• Make log books for boys to record their work on the badge.

• Plan a special good turn for the next pack meeting, such as setting up chairs, ushering, cleanup, etc.

• Visit a local city government agency.  Find out how it works, what services it provides, how it affects you and your family.

• A campaign against litter is a "must" for good citizenship.  Discuss how your den can carry on such a campaign  and do it.  This could include making posters for display, litter clean-up, making litter bags, a fight against pollution, collecting items for recycling.

• Discuss the various organizations in the community which help people.  How are they financed and run?  Do they use volunteer help?

• Attend a naturalization ceremony.

• Observe the voting process.

• Visit a city council meeting or school board meeting.

• Remind people to fly the flag.

• Invite a new citizen to speak to your den on what becoming an American citizen means to him.

• Visit a court.  Ask the judge to speak to the boys about citizenship.  Acquaint boys with the court procedure.

• Visit police and/or fire department.

• Learn more about your community from the Chamber of Commerce.

• Discuss difference between the rights and duties of a citizen.

Games:

Scrambled Presidents - Scramble up the letters in the names of various presidents of the United States.  Let your Webelos Scouts unscramble them.

Name The Office - You Name The Man -

You say the word "President”, Webelos Scout Says "Bush", "Governor" "McGreevy" (for NJ) - "Mayor" (will vary), etc.

Flag Quiz - After your Webelos have studied flag history in the Scout Handbook, give them a quiz.

Gathering Activity:

Great Documents Quiz How much do you know about two of the greatest documents ever written...the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States?

1.  The first words of the Declaration of Independence are:

"We hold these truths to be self-evident..."

"We, the People of the United States..."

"When in the course of human events..."

"Four score and seven years ago..."

2.  The first draft of the Declaration of Independence was written by:

John Hancock

Button Gwinnett

George Washington

Thomas Jefferson

 3.  The Constitution of the United States was signed in what year?

1776

1492

1787

1620

 4.  What is the minimum age for a President of the United States, and in what document is this stated?

 5.  Which amendment to the Constitution provided for the abolition of slavery?

Tenth Amendment

Thirteenth Amendment

Third Amendment

Sixteenth Amendment

 6.  A senator serves a term of:

Six years

Two years

Four years

Eight years

 7.  What is the maximum number of years a President may serve?

 8.  Which amendment to the Constitution guarantees freedom of speech?

Fourteenth Amendment

First Amendment

Twenty-ninth Amendment

Fifth Amendment

 9.  What legislative body has the sole power to impeach a President?

10.  Who takes over in the event of death of the President?

Answers: 

1.        "When in the course of human events..." 

2.       Thomas Jefferson 

3.       1787 

4.       Age 35, as stated in the Constitution 

5.       Thirteenth 

6.       Six years 

7.       Ten years (two terms plus the remainder of a predecessor's term if 2 years or less) 

8.       First Amendment 

9.       House of Representatives 

10.    Vice President

Do You Know Your Flag?  (This quiz can be very tricky!)

1.        The flag is raised:  (a) slowly  (b) briskly  (c) at any speed that is comfortable.

2.        If you carried the flag in a parade before the President of the United States, you would dip the flag in salute to the President as you walk past him.  True or False?

3.        The flag must never be lowered no matter how bad the weather conditions.  True or False?

4.        The flag is never allowed to fly after daylight hours anywhere in the world.  True or False?

5.        When the flag is carried in parades or other occasions, it is escorted by an honor guard.  True or False?

6.        The flag's honor guard walks:  (a) on the flag's right  (b) just behind the flag  (c) on either side of the flag.

7.        If you are a Cub Scout, Scout, or Explorer, you always give the Cub Scout, Scout, or Explorer salute to the flag  whether or not you are in uniform.  True or False?

8.        When you carry the flag in a parade with other flags, the U.S. flag must go on the left of and in line with the other flags.  True or False?

9.        When the flag is hung against the wall, the stars are placed in the upper left corner (as you look at it) when the stripes are horizontal, but in the upper right corner when the stripes are vertical.  True or False?

10.     The only time a flag is flown upside down is as a signal for help.  True or False?

Answers: 

1.        (b) briskly.  It is a happy occasion.

2.        False.  The flag is never dipped to anyone. 

3.        False.  The flag is not flown in bad weather. 

4.        False.  Although it is the custom to display the flag only from sunrise to sunset, there is no law prohibiting its being flown both day and night with illumination. 

5.        True. 

6.        On either side of the flag. 

7.        False.  When you are in civilian clothes, you remove your hat and place your right hand over your heart when the flag passes. 

8.        False.  It is carried on the right of the other flags or at the front of the center of the line of other flags. 

9.         False.  The stars should be in the upper left corner as you look at it (the flag's right) regardless of whether the stripes are horizontal or vertical. 

10.     True.

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