AMERICAN HERITAGE
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
& WORKBOOK
MERIT BADGE UNIVERSITY
OVERLAND TRAILS COUNCIL
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
MERIT BADGE REQUIREMENTS
(PRE-REQUISITE REQUIREMENTS IN BOLD RED UNDERLINED ITALICS)
WORKBOOK PART ONE
(COMPLETE BEFORE ATTENDING MBU)
WORKBOOK PART TWO
(WILL BE COMPLETED DURING CLASS)
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
APPLICATION for MERIT BADGE
(MUST HAVE UNIT LEADER SIGNATURE PRIOR TO CLASS)
Overland Trails Council, August 2010
Information in this booklet was accurate at the time of publishing.
American Heritage Merit Badge Requirements, 2005. Copyrighted Boy Scouts of America
AMERICAN HERITAGE PROGRAM OVERVIEW
BRING TO CLASS:
American Heritage merit badge pamphlet.
American Heritage merit badge workbook, part one & part two.
Signed “Application for Merit Badge”, found at the end of the merit badge
workbook. (This will be your only record of work completed on this merit
badge.) If your Council requires the official “blue card”, you must bring one with
you to class.
PRE-REQUISITES:
Complete Part One of the workbook before class (requirements 1, 3c, & 4a, or b, or
c, or d). Complete information on “Application for Merit Badge” including
your unit leader’s signature.
CURRICULUM:
Requirements 2, 3a, 3b, 4e, 5 & 6 will be completed during class (part two of
the workbook). Pre-requisites will also be reviewed during class.
CLASS SIZE:
15
AMERICAN HERITAGE
American Heritage Merit Badge Requirements, 2005
PRE-REQUISITE REQUIREMENTS ARE PRINTED IN BOLD UNDERLINED RED ITALICS &
MUST BE COMPLETED BEFORE CLASS.
1. Read the Declaration of Independence. Pay close attention to the section that begins with
“We hold these truths to be self-evident” and ends with “to provide new Guards for their
future security. “ Rewrite that section in your own words, making it as easy to understand as
possible. Then, share your writing with your merit badge counselor and discuss the
importance of the Declaration to all Americans.
2. Do TWO of the following:
a) Select two individuals from American history, one a political leader (a president,
senator, etc.) and the other a private citizen (a writer, religious leader, etc.). Find out
about each person’s accomplishments and compare the contributions each has made to
America’s heritage.
b) With your counselor’s approval, choose an organization that has promoted some type of
positive change in American society. Find out why the organization believed this change
was necessary and how it helped to accomplish the change. Discuss how this
organization is related to events or situations from America’s past.
c) With your counselor’s approval, interview two veterans of the U.S. military. Find out
what their experiences were like. Ask the veterans what they believe they
accomplished.
d) With your counselor’s approval, interview three people in your community of different
ages and occupations. Ask these people what America means to them, what they think
is special about this country, and what American traditions they feel are important to
preserve.
3. Do the following:
a) Select a topic that is currently in the news. Describe to your counselor what is
happening. Explain how today’s events are related to or affected by the events and
values of America’s past.
b) For each of the following, describe its adoption, tell about any changes since its
adoption, and explain how each one continues to influence Americans today: the flag,
the Pledge of Allegiance, the seal, the motto, and the national anthem.
c) Research your family’s history. Find out how various events and situations in
American history affected your family. Share what you find with your counselor. Tell
why your family came to America.
4. Do TWO of the following:
a) Explain what is meant by the National Register of Historic Places. Describe how a
property becomes eligible for listing. Make a map of your local area, marking the
points of historical interest. Tell about any National Register properties in your area.
Share the map with your counselor, and describe the historical points you have
indicated.
b) Research an event of historical importance that took place in or near your area. If
possible, visit the place. Tell your counselor about the event and how it affected local
history. Describe how the area looked then and what it now looks like.
c) Find out when, why, and how your town or neighborhood started, and what ethnic,
national, or racial groups played a part. Find out how the area has changed over the
past 50 years and try to explain why.
d) Take an active part in a program about an event or person in American history.
Report to your counselor about the program, the part you took, and the subject.
e) Visit a historic trail or walk in your area. After your visit, share with your counselor what
you have learned. Discuss the importance of this location and explain why you think it
might qualify for National Register listing.
5. Do ONE of the following:
a) Watch two motion pictures (with the approval and permission of your counselor and
parent) that are set in some period of American history. Describe to your counselor
how accurate each film is with regard to the historical events depicted and also with
regard to the way the characters are portrayed.
b) Read a biography (with your counselor’s approval) of someone who has made a
contribution to America’s heritage. Tell some things you admire about this individual
and some things you do not admire. Explain why you think this person has made a
positive or a negative contribution to America’s heritage.
c) Listen to recordings of popular songs from various periods of American history. Share
five of these songs with your counselor, and describe how each song reflects the way
people felt about the period in which it was popular. If a recording is not available, have
a copy of the lyrics available.
6. Discuss with your counselor the career opportunities in American heritage. Pick one that
interests you and explain how to prepare for this career. Discuss what education and training
are required for this career.
AMERICAN HERITAGE WORKBOOK
PART ONE, PRE-REQUSITIES
Name
Unit #
Council
District
Part One of the workbook must be completed before class.
Bring the entire workbook (part one and part two) with you to class.
Also bring the “Application for Merit Badge” signed by your scoutmaster (included at the end of the workbook).

1. Read the Declaration of Independence. Pay close attention to the section that begins with
“We hold these truths to be self-evident” and ends with “to provide new Guards for their future
security. “ Rewrite that section in your own words, making it as easy to understand as possible.
Then, share your writing with your merit badge counselor and discuss the importance of the
Declaration to all Americans.
Rewrite in your own words:
Discuss the importance of the Declaration to all Americans:
AMERICAN HERITAGE WORKBOOK, PART ONE, p.2
Name

3. Do the following:
Requirements 3a and 3b will be completed during class.
 c) Research your family’s history. Find out how various events and situations in American
history affected your family. Share what you find with your counselor. Tell why your family
came to America.
Research your family’s history:
How events and situations in American history affected your family:
Share what you find:
Why your family came to America:
AMERICAN HERITAGE WORKBOOK, PART ONE, p.3
Name
4. Do TWO of the following:
4e will be completed during class.
To complete requirement 4, scouts need to choose one additional requirement 4a), 4b), 4c), or 4d).
 a) Explain what is meant by the National Register of Historic Places. Describe how a
property becomes eligible for listing. Make a map of your local area, marking the points of
historical interest. Tell about any National Register properties in your area. Share the map
with your counselor, and describe the historical points you have indicated.

What is meant by the National Register of Historic Places:
How properties become eligible:
Make a map:
Use a separate piece of paper to make your map and attach it to this workbook.
National Register properties in your area:
Share the map, describe the historical points:
AMERICAN HERITAGE WORKBOOK, PART ONE, p.4
Name
4. continued

OR
b) Research an event of historical importance that took place in or near your area. If
possible, visit the place. Tell your counselor about the event and how it affected local
history. Describe how the area looked then and what it now looks like.
Event of historical importance in your area:
Place visited:
How it affected local history:
How the area looked then:
What it looks like now:
initials:
date:
AMERICAN HERITAGE WORKBOOK, PART ONE, p.5
Name
4. continued

OR
c) Find out when, why, and how your town or neighborhood started, and what ethnic,
national, or racial groups played a part. Find out how the area has changed over the past 50
years and try to explain why.
How your town or neighborhood started:
What groups played a part:
How has it changed:
Why:

OR
d) Take an active part in a program about an event or person in American history. Report to
your counselor about the program, the part you took, and the subject.
Active part in a program:
The program:
The part you took:
initials:
date:
AMERICAN HERITAGE WORKBOOK
PART TWO, CLASS CURRICULUM
Name
Unit #
Council
District
Part Two of the workbook will be completed during class.

2. Do TWO of the following: (a, b, c, or d)
 a) Select two individuals from American history, one a political leader (a president, senator,
etc.) and the other a private citizen (a writer, religious leader, etc.). Find out about each
person’s accomplishments and compare the contributions each has made to America’s
heritage.
Individuals from American history:
Political leader:
Accomplishments:
Contributions:
Private citizen:
Accomplishments:
Contributions:
AMERICAN HERITAGE WORKBOOK, PART TWO, p.2
Name
2. continued

AND/OR
b) With your counselor’s approval, choose an organization that has promoted some type of
positive change in American society. Find out why the organization believed this change
was necessary and how it helped to accomplish the change. Discuss how this organization is
related to events or situations from America’s past.
An organization that has promoted change in American society:
Why change was necessary:
How it helped to accomplish the change:
How is organization related to events or situations:

AND/OR
c) With your counselor’s approval, interview two veterans of the U.S. military. Find out
what their experiences were like. Ask the veterans what they believe they accomplished.
Veterans of the U.S. Military
Veteran #1:
Experiences:
Accomplished:
Veteran #2:
Experiences:
Accomplished:
AMERICAN HERITAGE WORKBOOK, PART TWO, p.3
Name
2. continued

AND/OR
d) With your counselor’s approval, interview three people in your community of different
ages and occupations. Ask these people what America means to them, what they think is
special about this country, and what American traditions they feel are important to
preserve.
Interviews
Person #1
What does America mean to you?
What is special about this country?
What American traditions do you feel are important to preserve?
Person #2
What does America mean to you?
What is special about this country?
What American traditions do you feel are important to preserve?
Person #3
What does America mean to you?
What is special about this country?
What American traditions do you feel are important to preserve?
AMERICAN HERITAGE WORKBOOK, PART TWO, p.4
Name

3. Do the following:
 a) Select a topic that is currently in the news. Describe to your counselor what is happening.
Explain how today’s events are related to or affected by the events and values of America’s
past.
Current news topic:
What is happening:
How are events related to America’s past:
AMERICAN HERITAGE WORKBOOK, PART TWO, p.5
Name
3. continued
 b) For each of the following, describe its adoption, tell about any changes since its adoption,
and explain how each one continues to influence Americans today: the flag, the Pledge of
Allegiance, the seal, the motto, and the national anthem.
The Flag:
The Pledge of Allegiance:
The Seal:
The Motto:
The National Anthem:
AMERICAN HERITAGE WORKBOOK, PART TWO, p.6
Name
To complete requirement 4, scouts need to choose one additional requirement 4a), 4b), 4c), or 4d) in part
one of this workbook.

4. e) Visit a historic trail or walk in your area. After your visit, share with your counselor what
you have learned. Discuss the importance of this location and explain why you think it might
qualify for National Register listing.
Historic trail or walk visited:
date:
Importance of this location:
Why you think it might qualify for National Register listing:

5. Do ONE of the following:
 a) Watch two motion pictures (with the approval and permission of your counselor and
parent) that are set in some period of American history. Describe to your counselor how
accurate each film is with regard to the historical events depicted and also with regard to
the way the characters are portrayed.
Watch Two Motion Pictures
Movie #1:
Accuracy of film:
Movie #2:
Accuracy of film:
AMERICAN HERITAGE WORKBOOK, PART TWO, p.7
Name
5. continued

OR
b) Read a biography (with your counselor’s approval) of someone who has made a
contribution to America’s heritage. Tell some things you admire about this individual and
some things you do not admire. Explain why you think this person has made a positive or a
negative contribution to America’s heritage.
Biography read:
Things you admire:
Things you do not admire:
Why do you think this person has made a contribution:

OR
c) Listen to recordings of popular songs from various periods of American history. Share five
of these songs with your counselor, and describe how each song reflects the way people felt
about the period in which it was popular. If a recording is not available, have a copy of the
lyrics available.
Popular song
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
How song reflects the way people felt
AMERICAN HERITAGE WORKBOOK, PART TWO, p.8
Name

6. Discuss with your counselor the career opportunities in American heritage. Pick one that
interests you and explain how to prepare for this career. Discuss what education and training
are required for this career.
Career opportunities in American heritage:
1.
2.
3.
Pick a career that interests you:
Career:
Education:
Training:
Experience:
Why this profession interest’s you:
ORGANIZATIONS and WEB SITES
(Whenever you go online, be sure you have your parent’s permission first.)
Academy of Achievement
http://www.achievement.org
America Singing: 19th Century Song Sheets
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/amsshtml/amsshome.html
The American Family Immigration History Center
http://www.elisisland.org
American Veterans (AMVETS)
http://www.amvets.org
Family Search Internet Genealogy Service
http://www.familysearch.org
Federal Depository Library Program
http://www.gpoaccess.gov/libraries.html
Genealogy.com
http://www.genealogy.com
TheHistoryNet: Where History Lives on the Web
http://www.historynet.com
The Lester S. Levy Collection of Sheet Music
http://levysheetmusic.mse.jhu.edu
Library of Congress
http://www.loc.gov
National Constitution Center
http://www.constitutioncenter.org
National Park Service
http://www.nps.gov
National Register of Historic Places
http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/listing.hm
Smithsonian Institution
http://www.si.edu
U.S. Census Bureau
http://www.census.gov
U.S. Government Printing Office
http://www.gpoaccess.gov
The White House
http://www.whitehouse.gov
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)
http://www.vfw.org
APPLICATION FOR MERIT BADGE
MERIT BADGE UNIVERSITY
SECTION A
SCOUT & MERIT BADGE INFORMATION
APPLICATION FOR MERIT BADGE
MERIT BADGE UNIVERISTY
Name:
Merit Badge: American Heritage
Address:
Address:
Overland Trails Council
S City:
State:
PO Box 1361
C
Boy Scout,
2808 O’Flannagan
O Is a registered
Varsity Scout,
Grand Island, NE 68802-1361
U
Venturer,
T
of
No.
Phone:
308-382-3717
OVERLAND TRAILS COUNCIL
Troop, team, crew, ship
District:
Council:
SECTION B
U
N
I
T
L
E
A
D
E
R
email:
WORKBOOK PART ONE (Pre-requisite Requirements)
Requirement
No. and letter
Date of
Approval
Counselor
Initial
1
3c
4a –OR4b –OR-
Requirement
No. and letter
Date of
Approval
Counselor
Initial
4c –OR4d
The applicant has personally appeared before me and demonstrated to my satisfaction that he has met all
pre-requisite requirements for the above stated merit badge and/or the scout is qualified and is ready to
attend his assigned MBU class.
Signature of Unit Leader
SECTION C
Date
WORKBOOK PART TWO (Class Curriculum)
Requirement
No. and letter
C
O
U
N
S
E
L
O
R
mbucounselor@gmail.com
Date of
Approval
Counselor
Initial
Requirement
No. and letter
Date of
Approval
Counselor
Initial
2
3a
3b
4e
5
6
The applicant has personally appeared before me and demonstrated to my satisfaction that he has completed all
requirements in SECTION C listed above for the
Merit Badge: American Heritage
Name of Counselor:
Please Print
Signature of Counselor
Date
SCOUT INSTRUCTIONS
Complete “SECTION A”
 Attend the merit badge class
 Sign the Attendance Sheet provided by your merit badge counselor
 After your merit badge class return this completed “Application for Merit Badge” to your Unit Leader
SCOUTS PLEASE REMEMBER
 Have your merit badge workbook, the appropriate merit badge pamphlet, and this
“Application for Merit Badge” with you when you attend class
 If the merit badge pre-requisites are not completed before class, you will not be able to
complete the merit badge during this weekend event, you will need to follow up with your
Unit’s Advancement Chair when you return home
 PLEASE BE AWARE THAT SOME COUNSELORS WILL NOT ALLOW YOU TO ATTEND THEIR
CLASS WITHOUT THE PRE-REQUISITES COMPLETED—SOME CLASS CURRICULUMS ARE
DEPENDENT ON THE PRE-REQUISITE WORK BEING COMPLETED!

UNIT LEADER INSTRUCTIONS
Complete “SECTION B”
1. Date and initial each requirement listed in the table.
2. Sign your name in the space provided at the bottom of the section.
 After the Scout has returned this completed “Application for Merit Badge” to you, please
forward to your Unit’s Advancement Chair
UNIT LEADERS PLEASE REMEMBER
 Please make sure your scout has his merit badge workbook, the appropriate merit badge
pamphlet and this “Application for Merit Badge” with him when he attends class

COUNSELOR INSTRUCTIONS

Complete “SECTION C”
1. Date and initial each requirement listed in the table that was completed during class
(If a requirement that is listed is not completed, please cross that requirement out)
2. Print and sign your name in the space provided at the bottom of the section
COUNSELORS PLEASE REMEMBER
 Never meet with a Scout alone
 Merit Badge Requirements must be completed as written; nothing may be added or deleted
NOTE TO UNIT ADVANCEMENT CHAIRMAN
Before a Scout can receive credit for completing a merit badge, both Sections B and Section C must be signed.
1. “Section B” should be signed by the Scoutmaster from your Unit or another leader approved by your unit
committee.
2. “Section C” must be signed by the merit badge counselor from the MBU.