Rights and Responsibilities of Citizens Activity

This activity teaches kids about the rights and responsibilities of citizens.

One of the purposes of Cub Scouts is to learn citizenship. And to learn about that, you need to know the rights and responsibilities of citizens.

I want my boys to grow up to be good citizens, and I’m not sure they can learn that without understanding a citizen’s rights and duties.

The now retired Arrow of Light adventure, Building a Better World, asked Cub Scouts to learn about and describe their rights and duties as a citizen.

While this is no longer a Cub Scout requirement, it’s still a great activity for kids to do when they’re learning about citizenship.

They can make a “Good Citizen” Scout to show the rights and duties!

I used a roll of white 24″ wide art paper that I had. 

I sketched an outline of a Scout onto the paper with pencil so that I could erase as needed. I then went over the image with a black Sharpie. 

I drew the face on with markers.  As you can see, I’m not an artist!  🙂

I colored the cap and taped it on the head.

You can download a copy of the cap at the bottom of this post.

At this point, you can use your Good Citizen Scout as is or you can cut them out. 

If you decide to cut it out and you have access to a large laminator, you can laminate them to make it a bit more sturdy.

I hung my Scout on the wall with painters tape.  

During your meeting, give the Scouts several blank sticky notes of two different colors.

Ask them to write the rights of a good citizen on one color note and duties of a citizen on the other color. 

You may need to prompt them, so here is a list to start the conversation:

Rights of a Citizen

• Freedom to express yourself
• Freedom to worship as you wish
• Right to a prompt, fair trial by jury
• Right to vote in elections for public officials
• Right to apply for federal employment requiring U.S. citizenship
• Right to run for elected office
• Freedom to pursue “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”

Duties of a Citizen

• Support and defend the Constitution
• Stay informed of the issues affecting your community
• Participate in the democratic process
• Respect and obey federal, state, and local laws
• Respect the rights, beliefs, and opinions of others
• Participate in your local community
• Pay income and other taxes honestly, and on time, to federal, state, and local authorities
• Serve on a jury when called upon
• Defend the country if the need should arise

Have the Scouts stick their notes to the Good Citizen Scout.  You could even have them give an example of a time when they demonstrated the trait they wrote.

What other ways will you use your Good Citizen Scout?

Yours in Scouting,
Sherry

P.S. This Jeopardy game is perfect for the Building a Better World adventure.