Citizenship in the Community Merit Badge

Important Information:

• This is a drop-off class. Drive in through the outer gate and drop-off at the main brick building.
• Parents/leaders are welcome to wait onsite in our breakroom with free Wi-Fi ,or in one of several outdoor seating areas. Our property is adjacent to Norvin Green State Forest, which has many hiking trails.
• Pre-requisites MUST be completed prior to the in-person class: 3a,3b,4a,5,7a,7b,7c,8
• Scouts MUST bring physical proof of pre-requisite completion to class.
• Scouts MUST bring a signed Blue Card to class for our counselors to sign.
• Scouts MUST wear their uniform & closed-toe shoes.
• Cell phones will be collected at the beginning of each class, to ensure Scouts give their undivided attention to the badge Counselor.

Cancellations requested 2 or more weeks in advance will be refunded at the full price, minus Evenbrite fees. Refunds are not available with less than 2 weeks notice.

Instructors: Badges are taught by our certified Counselors who are experienced educators, have completed the Youth Protection Training, and are Wilderness First Aid certified. They are certified through the Northern NJ, BSA Council. Our current Counselors are: Lauren Lynch, Nicole Vaccaro, Peter Lundell, Chris Campbell

Citizenship in the Community Prerequisites:

Requirement 3a - 3b: Attend a meeting of your city, town, or county council or school board; OR attend a municipal, county, or state court session. Choose one of the issues discussed at the meeting where a difference of opinions was expressed, and explain to your counselor why you agree with one opinion more than you do another one.

-How to complete this: Check your town halls website, find the events tab and check to see when the next meeting will be. Take time to attend the meeting, either online or in person, and give a brief write up on what was discussed and how you felt about the topic(s).

• Ringwood Town Hall Meetings Link: https://www.ringwoodnj.net/content/2345/2771/default.aspx

Requirement 4a: Choose an issue that is important to the citizens of your community; then do the following: (4a) Find out which branch of local government is responsible for this issue. (4b) With your parent’s approval, interview one person from the branch of government you identified in the requirement 4a. Ask what is being done about this issue and how young people can help.

-How to complete this: Set up an interview with one person from the branch of government you identified in requirement 4a. Ask what is being done about the issue at hand and how young people can help.

Requirement 5: With the approval of a parent or guardian, watch a movie that shows how the actions of one individual or group of individuals can have a positive effect on a community. We'll discuss what you learned from the movie about what it means to be a valuable and concerned member of the community.

-How to complete this: watch a movie that shows how the actions of one or a group or people can have a positive impact on the community before attending class. We will discuss which movies were watched and how they positively impact the community.

• Movies that have a Positive Community Impact:
• A Bug’s Life (PG Animation): A misfit ant in search of warrior bugs to save his entire colony from greedy grasshoppers.
• Holes (PG Adventure): A wrongfully convicted boy is sent to a desert detention camp where he joins a community of other boys in digging holes.
• Zootopia (PG Animated): A bunny cop and con artist fox set aside their differences to uncover a conspiracy and save their city.
• Hidden Figures (PG Biography/Drama): Based on a true story, a mathematician team of African-American women play a vital role in the early years of NASA.

Requirement 7a,b,c: Do the following: (a) Identify three charitable organizations outside of Scouting that interest you and bring people in your community together to work for the good of your community. (b) Pick ONE of the organizations you chose for requirement 7a. Using a variety of resources (including newspapers, fliers and other literature, the Internet, volunteers, and employees of the organization), find out more about this organization. (c) With your parent’s approval, contact the organization you chose for requirement 7b, and find out what young people can do to help. While working on this merit badge, volunteer at least eight hours of your time for the organization. We will discuss during class.

-How to complete this: Research charitable organizations, choose the top 3 that interest you. Pick ONE out of your top 3, and find out more about your chosen organization. Then contact the organization you chose, and volunteer at least 8 hours of your time for the organization. We will discuss everything in class, so be able to share your experiences with others. Here’s a link to a list of Charitable Organizations near Ringwood NJ: https://www.yelp.com/search?cflt=nonprofit&find_loc=Ringwood%2C+NJ+07456

Requirement 8: Develop a public presentation (such as a video, slide show, speech, digital presentation, or photo exhibit) about important and unique aspects of your community. Include information about the history, cultures, and ethnic groups of your community; its best features and popular places where people gather; and the challenges it faces. We will discuss during class.

-How to complete this: Community presentations MUST be completed before class. You can bring in your presentation slides printed out or in a USB Thumb drive.