Cub Scout Citizen Rights and Responsibilities

September 17, 1787 is the day the United States Constitution was signed, so we celebrate Constitution and Citizenship Day on September 17th every year.

One of the purposes of Cub Scouts is to learn citizenship.  In fact, that's one of the main reasons we're involved in Scouting.  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.

One of the adventures that's part of the Arrow of Light requirements, Building a Better World, will teach this to the boys.

Arrow of Light Adventure – Building a Better World 2:  Learn about and describe your rights and duties as a citizen, and explain what it means to be loyal to your country.

You can make this requirement a bit more fun for the boys by making a “Good Citizen” boy to show the rights and duties!

I used a roll of white 24″ wide art paper that I had.  You can get something similar through my affiliate links with either Michael's or Amazon.

I sketched an outline of a boy 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 from the mismatched leg sizes, I'm not an artist!  🙂

The Cub Scout hat is available from the Mormon Share website. Thanks to Chris Gunn for creating and sharing the image!  I believe it is intended to be a thank you note, but it worked perfectly for my Good Citizen boy.

At this point, you can use your Good Citizen boy as is or you can cut him out.  I chose to cut him out.  If you have access to a large laminator, you can laminate him to make him a bit more sturdy.

I hung my boy on a door with masking tape.  Because he kept rolling up, I had to use several pieces of tape.  I taped his hat on the top of his head too.

During your meeting, give the boys 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 the boys, 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 boy.  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 boy?

Yours in Scouting,
Sherry

P.S. Be sure to sign up below for more fun Cub Scout activities!