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The Citizenship merit has long been a required merit all the advancement toward GMA.  It was a AR merit but now it’s a ER merit.  Although this merit doesn’t have the excitement of the canoeing merit, or the tangible skill set of the automotive mechanic merit, you can never be fully prepared to launch into the journey God has for you without an appreciation an knowledge of what it means to be an American Citizen.  Whether your plan is to be a missionary in a foreign country or a business man in ours, America has given you a starting point that is exceptional and revolutionary.

What’s Required

Visit a site that is important to the history of your community, such as a museum, historical site, courthouse, library, or archive. Take notes on information such as the American Indian tribes who lived in the area, the first known settlers, and important historical events and people. Share with your patrol something new you learned about your community.
Using a map, label driving directions to important places in your community, such as fire stations, police stations, city hall, hospitals, schools, and churches. If possible use an online mapping site from the Internet.
Under the guidance of your group leader and with permission from your parents or guardian, participate in any Four of the following:
Attend a meeting of the school site council, PTSA, school board, city council, neighborhood association, public commission, or other community meeting. Take minutes on at least thirty minutes of the meeting.
Attend a community meeting of your local city council member, alderman or other local official. Take minutes on at least thirty minutes of the meeting.
Attend a court session. Take notes on at least thirty minutes of the proceedings.
Interview an attorney, court or parole officer or bail bond lender. Take notes on the questions and answers.
Visit a city or county office and interview a worker there. Take notes on the questions and answers.
Attend a meeting of the state legislature, citizen’s group, public commission, or other statewide meeting. Take minutes on at least thirty minutes of the meeting. Leader’s Initials Date Leader’s Initials Date Leader’s Initials Date 2 r o y a l r a n g e r s s i l v e r S k i l l m e r i t Your name (Print your name on the line.) C i t i z e n s h i p R e q u i re m e n t s
Attend a community meeting of your state elected representative or other official. Take minutes on at least thirty minutes of the meeting.
Attend a state court session. Take notes on at least thirty minutes of the proceedings.
Visit a state office building and interview a worker there. Take notes on the questions and answers.
Visit a state park, capitol building, or historical site and interview a worker there. Take notes on the questions and answers.
Talk to a military recruiter about a career in the armed services. Take notes on the questions and answers.
Attend a community meeting conducted by your local congressperson or other federal official. Take minutes on at least thirty minutes of the meeting.
Visit a foreign consulate. Interview an employee of the consulate. Take notes on the questions and answers.
Interview a tax preparer or IRS agent. Take notes on the questions and answers.
Conduct a political survey. Publish the results for your patrol.
Circulate a petition on a political policy. Submit it to the proper authorities who can act on it.
Write a letter to the editor to your local newspaper on a political issue. Read it to your patrol.
Read the constitution of another country and compare it to the U.S. Constitution.
Attend a political rally or protest. Report on the tactics used and their effectiveness to your patrol.
Research a political interest group to determine their stand on an issue. Give a report to your patrol.
Follow the votes on an issue before the legislature or in the courts. Include news clippings on the stages of the process.
Write a position paper on a foreign policy issue. Submit it to your congressional representative or the State Department.
Other projects are possible upon prior approval of your group leader.
Write a letter to one of your elected officials and express your point of view on a state or national issue. Show a copy of the letter to your group leader. Report back to your group any response that you received.
Explain and demonstrate how to respect and properly display the U.S. flag. Do this as a patrol.
Read the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, and the Constitution of the United States of America. Use a modern translation or explanatory notes if necessary. (I would be very carful with some of these “revised for the modern reader” versions)
As a patrol, collect the names and addresses of your state’s governor, state senator, state representatives, U.S. representative in Congress, and U.S. senators.
Name the three main branches of the federal government as laid out by the U.S. Constitution. Explain each branch’s main functions and the checks and balances between each branch of government.
As a patrol, discuss ways a Royal Ranger can be a good citizen.
Find and share with your patrol two Scripture references stating our responsibilities to our government and officials.
Patriot Merit (Not Yet Created)
The Bible has a lot to say about foundations, and as the gap of time between our founding and today grows so does the danger of forgetting our founding and the revolutionary ideas that make us great.  I love the idea of the Citizenship merit, I just think that we need to include some of the amazing Judeo-Christian principle that have been forged into the moorings of our country.  In addition, we need to have a basic awareness of our founding leaders.

Facts Worth Exploring

1.  There are 27 grievances in the Declaration.
2.  4 Times God is mentioned in the Declaration

Law of nature and of nature’s God
Endowed by their creator
The Supreme judge of the world
The protection of divine providence

5.  We are the only country in history that has existed under one Document for 242 years.

6.  Ben Franklin’s call to prayer
Before I sit down, Mr. President, I will suggest another matter; and I am really surprised that it has not been proposed by some other member at an earlier period of our deliberations. I will suggest, Mr. President, that propriety of nominating and appointing, before we separate, a chaplain to this Convention, whose duty it shall be uniformly to assemble with us, and introduce the business of each day by and address to the Creator of the universe, and the Governor of all nations, beseeching Him to preside in our council, enlighten our minds with a portion of heavenly wisdom, influence our hearts with a love of truth and justice, and crown our labors with complete and abundant success!