Check-in starts 1/2 hour prior to the start time of your class. You should bring a blue card filled out properly for this class. If you are not familiar with how to fill out a blue card, you should familiarize yourself with Scoutmaster Bucky's "How To Fill Out A Blue Card" document.  Click here for Scoutmaster Bucky's "How To Fill Out A Blue Card". Remember it is a Scout's responsibility to take care of their own blue card from beginning to end.


Your Scout Uniform is required to be worn for attending this Merit Badge session.   If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact Brian Reiners; Scoutmaster Bucky via email or on the phone at 612-483-0665.

Reviewing the merit badge pamphlet PRIOR to attending and doing preparation work will insure that Scouts get the most out of these class opportunities. The merit badge pamphlet is a wealth of information that can make earning a merit badge a lot easier. It contains many of the answers and solutions needed or can at least provide directions as to where one can find the answers.  It is NOT acceptable to come unprepared to a Scoutmaster Bucky event.

You can (and should) use the Scoutmaster Bucky Citizenship in the World Merit Badge Workbook to help get a head start and organize your preparation work. You can download the Scoutmaster Bucky Citizenship in the World Merit Badge Workbook by clicking here.

It should be noted that this merit badge class is not meant for those who just want to come and see what they can get done. It is possible to complete this merit badge by being properly prepared and having done the preparation work prior to the class. Preparation is a MUST.


Things to remember to bring for this Merit Badge Class:

1. Merit Badge Blue Card properly filled out and signed off by your Scoutmaster
2. Your Registration Receipt
3. Scout Uniform
4. Scoutmaster Bucky Merit Badge Workbook for this merit badge printed out and preparation work filled in
5. Any additional supporting documentation or project work pertinent to this merit badge (map, presentation, etc)
6. A positive Scouting focus and attitude

1. Explain what citizenship in the world means to you and what you think it takes to be a good world citizen.

   Scouts should formulate a written answer for this requirement prior to the class and be ready to share their work as a part of classroom discussion.

2. Explain how one becomes a citizen in the United States, and explain the rights, duties, and obligations of U.S. citizenship. Discuss the similarities and differences between the rights, duties, and obligations of U.S. citizens and the citizens of two other countries.

   Scouts should have this written out to show the counselor that some thought and research has gone into this requirement and Scouts should be prepared to discuss their findings.  Scouts will not automatically be signed off on this requirement just for attending as the requirement states that they must discuss a number of items and will be required to partake in group and/or individual discussion to obtain credit.

3. Do the following:

   1. Pick a current world event. In relation to this current event, discuss with your counselor how a country's national interest and its relationship with other countries might affect areas such as its security, its economy, its values, and the health of its citizens

   2. Select a foreign country and discuss with your counselor how its geography, natural resources, and climate influence its economy and its global partnerships with other countries

   Scouts should be prepared to share their findings with the class and should be prepared with this requirement prior to the class.  1/2 of this requirement is preparation and research, the other 1/2 which will be facilitated in the class is the discussion.  Scouts cannot complete this requirement by only doing one or the other, both parts must be done for each component. Scouts not coming to class with preparation work will find it difficult, if not impossible to complete this requirement on the day of the class.  Preparation is a MUST for this requirement along with active class participation during the discussion.

4. Do TWO of the following:

   1. Explain international law and how it differs from national law. Explain the role of international law and how international law can be used as a tool for conflict resolution

   2. Using resources such as major daily newspapers, the Internet (with your parent's permission), and news magazines, observe a current issue that involves international trade, foreign exchange, balance of payments, tariffs, and free trade. Explain what you have learned. Include in your discussion an explanation of why countries must cooperate in order for world trade and global competition to thrive

   3. Select TWO of the following organizations and describe their role in the world.

   1. The United Nations

   2. The World Court

   3. World Organization of the Scout Movement

   4. The World Health Organization

   5. Amnesty International

   6. The International Committee of the Red Cross

   7. CARE

This class will focus on requirements 4A and 4C. For both requirements, Scouts should formulate a written answer prior to the class and be ready to share their work as a part of the classroom discussions.

5. Do the following:

   1. Discuss the differences between constitutional and nonconstitutional governments

   2. Name at least five different types of governments currently in power in the world

   3. Show on a world map countries that use each of these five different forms of government

   For all three of the components of this requirement, it is strongly recommended to use the Scoutmaster Bucky Citizenship in the World Merit Badge Workbook to document discussion points, explanations, and mappings to support one's findings for this requirement.  Scouts should be prepared to explain, discuss, and share their work in the class discussion of this requirement.

6. Do the following:

   1. Explain how a government is represented abroad and how the United States government is accredited to international organizations

   2. Describe the roles of the following in the conduct of foreign relations.

   1. Ambassador

   2. Consul

   3. Bureau of International Information Programs

   4. Agency for International Development

   5. United States and Foreign Commercial Service

   3. Explain the purpose of a passport and visa for international travel

   This requirement will be covered within the class, however, Scouts should familiarize themselves with the requirement and the corresponding section(s) within the Merit Badge Pamphlet so as to have a basic understanding prior to the class.

7. Do TWO of the following (with your parent's permission) and share with your counselor what you have learned:

   1. Visit the Web site of the U.S. State Department. Learn more about an issue you find interesting that is discussed on this Web site

   2. Visit the Web site of an international news organization or foreign government, OR examine a foreign newspaper available at your local library, bookstore, or newsstand. Find a news story about a human right realized in the United States that is not recognized in another country

   3. Visit with a student or Scout from another country and discuss the typical values, holidays, ethnic foods, and traditions practiced or enjoyed there

   4. Attend a world Scout jamboree

   5. Participate in or attend an international event in your area, such as an ethnic festival, concert, or play

   Currently NO components of Requirement 7 is guaranteed to be covered in the class. Scoutmaster Bucky is working to arrange for a few Scouts who are here on an Exchange program to come visit and assist attending Scouts with Requirement 7C, however this is not confirmed and should not be counted on.  More than likely this will be something that is not known for certain until the day of the class.

   PLEASE NOTE HOWEVER: Scouts who can bring documented proof of completing any of these requirements will have an opportunity to share with the counselor their accomplishments and potentially be signed off on those requirements (remember completion of requirements is at the discretion of each individual counselor). It is STRONGLY recommended Scouts interested in completing this merit badge bring their work for requirement 7 to the class. If the work meets the satisfaction of the merit badge counselor, (saying you did it is not enough, you need to bring proof), most counselors will sign off on the requirement.

this page last reviewed and updated - March 2011