Citizenship

[SCOUTKIM]

Hi Guys,

I am looking for ideas to make earning the citizenship merit badges more intersting for the kids. The subject is so dry, I loose them 15 min into the workshop.

[ScoutmasterJerry]

First of all...get away from the "Work Shop"
If you must work on it as a group... take the Scouts to City hall, a Federal Building, State offices... do the class there. Have a Civic leader on hand to discuss with the Scouts the material.
If you are doing class room style merit badges.. I don't blame the Scouts for loosing interest.
Remember the intent of the merit badge program is to INTRODUCE the Scouts to careers, activities, and develop in them a better understanding of the subject.. not to make them experts or proficient in a task.
To many times the Citizenship series merit badges are made to be a class room ticket punch.
Get the Scouts out there were Citizenship is practiced. Get them in the community and show them the impact of civic organizations and business that assist the community. Show them the infrastructure that makes up the community, Nation and ultimately world.

Just my 2 cents... but I bet the Scouts get a whole lot more out of the merit badge than listening to the endless chatter of a "teacher".

[WB Bear]

I agree with Scoutmaster Jerry. Here is a link that will give you an overview of a Merit Badge Counselors responsibility.

www.scouting.org/BoyScouts/GuideforMeritBadgeCounselors.aspx (http://www.scouting.org/BoyScouts/GuideforMeritBadgeCounselors.aspx)