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Edition 2026Active Merit Badge
Citizenship in Society
Official Requirements & Fillable Workbook · 2026 Edition
Citizenship in Society focuses on ethical leadership, self-reflection, and what it means to create communities where all people feel respected, heard, and welcomed. Through thoughtful discussions with your counselor and peers, you will explore real-world scenarios, examine personal values in light of the Scout Oath and Law, and practice standing up for others as an active upstander.
Key Requirements Covered:
- Personal Identity & Empathy
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
- Constructive Dialogue & Upstander Action
- Inclusive Leadership & Community Service
11Printable Pages
11Requirements
2025Reqs Revised
What is on the worksheet: Citizenship in Society Requirements
Every requirement for the Citizenship in Society merit badge, word for word as published, with room to write under each one on the printed worksheet.
1Key Terms and the Scout Oath and Law
Before beginning work on other requirements for this merit badge, research the following terms and explain to your counselor how you feel they relate to the Scout Oath and Scout Law: identities, diversity, equality, equity, inclusion, discrimination, ethical leadership, and upstander.
2Ethical Leadership Case Study
Document and discuss with your counselor what leadership means to you. Share what it means to make ethical decisions.
- a Research and share with your counselor an individual you feel has demonstrated positive leadership while having to make an ethical decision. (It could be someone in history, a family member, a teacher, a coach, a counselor, a clergy member, a Scoutmaster, etc.)
- b Explain what decision and/or options that leader had, why you believe they chose their final course of action, and the outcome of that action
3Personal Ethical Decisions
Consider ethical decision-making.
- a Think about a time you faced an ethical decision. Discuss the situation, what you did, and how it made you feel. Share if you would do anything differently in the future and if so, what that would be.
- b List three examples of ethical decisions you might have to make in the future at school, at home, in the workplace, or in your community, and what you would do. Share how your actions represent alignment with the Scout Oath and Scout Law.
- c Explain to your counselor how you plan to use what you have learned to assist you when that time comes, and what action(s) you can take to serve as an upstander and help other people at all times.
4Scenarios and Upstander Leadership
Repeat the Scout Oath and Scout Law for your counselor. Choose TWO of the following scenarios and discuss what you could do as a Scout to demonstrate leadership and your understanding of what it means to help others who may seem different from you:
- a Scenario 1: While at camp, a youth accidentally spills food on another camper. The camper who gets spilled on gets angry and says something that is offensive to people with disabilities; their friends laugh. What could/should you do?
- b Scenario 2: Your friend confides in you that some students in school are making insulting comments about one of their identities, and that those same students created a fake social media account to impersonate your friend online and post messages. What could/should you do?
- c Scenario 3: A new student in your class was born in another country (or has a parent who was born in another country). Your friends make rude comments to the student about their speech or clothes and tell the student to "go back home where you came from." What could/should you do?
5Welcoming Environment in Scouting
Document and discuss:
- a Ideas on what you personally can do to create a welcoming environment in your Scouting unit.
- b An experience you had in which you went out of your way to include another Scout(s) and what you did to make them feel included and welcomed.
- c Things you can do to help ensure all Scouts in your unit are given an opportunity to be heard and included in decision-making and planning.
6Connecting Across Differences
With your parent or guardian's approval, connect with another Scout or youth your own age who has an identity that's different from yours. (This means a trait, belief, or characteristic different from you.)
- a Share with each other what makes the different aspects of your identity meaningful/special to you
- b Share with each other ONE of the following options:
- c Discuss with your counselor what you learned from the discussion with the other Scout or youth.
7Community Leader Interview
Identify and interview an individual in your community, school, and/or Scouting who has had a significant positive impact in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. If you feel your community, school, or local Scouting group does not have such an individual, then research a historical figure who meets these criteria, and discuss that person with your counselor.
- a Discover what inspired the individual, learn about the challenges they faced, and share what you feel attributed to their success
- b Discuss with your counselor what you learned and how you can apply it in your life.
8Historical Event for Social Inclusion
With the help of your parent or guardian, study an event that had a positive outcome on how society viewed a group of people and made them feel more welcome. Describe to your counselor the event and what you learned.
9Leadership Across Life Areas
Document and discuss with your counselor three or more areas in your life outside of Scouting where you feel you can actively provide stronger leadership in:
- a Making others feel included.
- b Practicing active listening.
- c Creating an environment where others feel comfortable to share their ideas and perspectives.
- d Helping others feel valued for their input and suggestions.
- e Standing up for others.
10Challenging Stereotypes
Discuss with your counselor how stereotyping people can be harmful, and how stereotypes can lead to prejudice and discrimination. Share ideas you have for challenging assumptions and celebrating individuality.
11Future Impact and Diverse Perspectives
Scouting strives to develop young people to be future leaders in their workplaces, schools, and community environments. As you look at your current involvement in school, your family, Scouting, your job, and/or community, think about how you can have a positive impact in diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- a Describe your ideas on how you can and will support others with different identities to feel included and heard at your school, workplace, and/or social settings in your community.
- b Explain how including diverse thoughts and opinions from others with different identities can: Make your interactions more positive. Help everyone benefit by considering different opinions.
- c Give three examples of how limiting diverse input can be harmful.
- d Give three examples of how considering diverse opinions can lead to innovation and success.
Two dates, two different things
Requirements Revision vs. Worksheet Date
Scouting America last revised the Citizenship in Society requirements in 2025. That is the badge, not this sheet — an older year does not mean the worksheet is out of date.
Verbatim Fidelity & Verification
This worksheet was checked against https://www.scouting.org/merit-badges/citizenship-in-society/ in Aug 2026 and reproduces the requirements word for word. Both dates are printed on the sheet, so a copy in a binder can always be placed in time.
Requirement text is © Scouting America, reproduced verbatim. The worksheet layout and design are original to this project.
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