Cub Scout Pack 1776
21Dec/12

The United States Heritage Award

The United States Heritage Award was designed by Scouts and adults to give youth recognition for learning about the heritage of the United States of America. By completing this award, it is hoped participants will not only increase their understanding of the United States but also foster greater sense of patriotism through service in local communities.

The award may be earned by any youth in the United States. A medal and patch can be awarded to each youth that successfully completes the requirements for the award. All requirements may be completed with a unit, group, family, or individually.

There is a silver medal for youth 6 - 10, and a gold medal for youth 11 - 18. Adults can also earn the gold medal. More information, worksheets, and adult guides are available at: www.nationstrails.com.

Award
A silver medal and patch can be awarded to each youth that successfully completes the requirements for the award. The request form must be completed to purchase the medals and patches. All requirements may be done with a unit, group, or individually.

Requirements
To earn the Silver United States Heritage Award a youth must:

  1. Tell when the Declaration of Independence was adopted.
  2. Learn the first verse of the national anthem “The Star Spangled Banner”.
  3. Know the Pledge of Allegiance. Explain what it means.
  4. Learn about the United States Flag.
    1. What colors does the United States flag have?
    2. How many stars are on the blue rectangle (canton)?  What do the stars symbolize?
    3. How many stripes are on the flag?  What colors are the stripes?  What do the stripes symbolize?
    4. How do you show respect for the United States flag?
  5. Make a list of the original thirteen states of the United States of America.
  6. Know who is the current President of the United States of America.
  7. My America. Do one of the following:
    1. Write a short story or poem about one of the following topics :
      1. Why America Is Special To Me,
      2. What It Means To Be Free,
      3. If I Were President…
    2. Draw a picture of a famous person in American History and tell what they did.
    3. Render a service that benefits a neighborhood or community

For more information go to http://www.nationstrails.com/awards/

21Dec/12

Boys’ Life 2012 Reading Contest – Last Chance!

From Boys' Life website:

Write a one-page report titled “The Best Book I Read This Year” and enter it in the Boys’ Life 2012 “Say Yes to Reading!” contest.

The book can be fiction or nonfiction. But the report has to be in your own words — 500 words tops. Enter in one of these three age categories:

8 years old and younger
9 and 10 years old
11 years old and older

First-place winners in each age category will receive a $100 gift certificate good for any product in the Boy Scouts official retail catalog. Second-place winners will receive a $75 gift certificate, and third-place winners a $50 certificate.

Everyone who enters will get a free patch like the one on this page. (And, yes, the patch is a temporary insignia, so it can be worn on the Boy Scout uniform shirt, on the right pocket. Proudly display it there or anywhere!) In coming years, you’ll have the opportunity to earn different patches.

The contest is open to all Boys’ Life readers. Be sure to include your name, address, age and grade in school on the entry.

Send your report, along with a business-size, self-addressed, stamped envelope, to:

Boys’ Life Reading Contest
S306
P.O. Box 152079
Irving, TX 75015-2079

Entries must be postmarked by Dec. 31, 2012 and must include entry information and a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

Click here to read the winning essays in the 2011 contest.