American Heritage Merit Badge

Six requirements, with the two of four in requirement 2, the two of five in requirement 4 and the one of three in requirement 5 drawn as questions, the routes needing your counselor's approval marked, and the Declaration of Independence, the news, the national symbols and your family's history drawn as required steps.

7 steps (15 parts inside them). 12 parts depend on questions you have not answered yet. · Version 1, published 8 October 2026 · About American Heritage Merit Badge

No questions answered

This is the whole plan: everything that could apply to anybody. Answering the 3 questions at the address above takes out the parts that are not for you.

Which of this applies to you

You have not answered anything yet, so this is the whole plan: everything that could apply to anybody. Answering 3 short questions will take out the parts that are not for you.

Answer the questions

The steps

Stage 1 of 7

1 step

1. The Declaration of Independence, in your own words Requirement

Read it. Rewrite the section from "We hold these truths to be self-evident" to "to provide new Guards for their future security" as simply as you can, share it with your counselor, and discuss the Declaration's importance to all Americans.

Stage 2 of 7

1 step

2. People and organizations in American history. Do TWO Requirement

The badge states the choice: two of four.
4 parts
- 2(a). A political leader and a private citizen, compared Optional May not apply
- 2(b). An organization that promoted positive change Optional May not apply Often forgotten
- 2(c). Interview two veterans of the U.S. military Optional May not apply Often forgotten
- 2(d). Interview three people in your community Optional May not apply Often forgotten

Stage 3 of 7

1 step

3. The news, the national symbols and your family Requirement

Three parts, all required.
3 parts

Stage 4 of 7

1 step

4. History where you live. Do TWO Requirement

The badge states the choice: two of five.
5 parts
- 4(a). The National Register, and a map of your area's history Optional May not apply
- 4(b). An event of historical importance in or near your area Optional May not apply
- 4(c). How your town or neighborhood started Optional May not apply
- 4(d). Take part in a program about American history Optional May not apply
- 4(e). Visit a historic trail or walk Optional May not apply

Stage 5 of 7

1 step

5. Films, a biography or songs. Do ONE Requirement

The badge states the choice.
3 parts
- 5(a). Two motion pictures set in American history Optional May not apply Often forgotten
- 5(b). Read a biography Optional May not apply Often forgotten
- 5(c). Popular songs from periods of American history Optional May not apply

Stage 6 of 7

1 step

6. Careers in American heritage Requirement

Discuss the opportunities with your counselor, pick one that interests you, and explain how to prepare for it and the education and training it requires.

Stage 7 of 7

1 step

Counselor signs it off Milestone

The completion date is the date you met the requirements, not the date of the signature.

Usually comes after 1. The Declaration of Independence, in your own words, 2. People and organizations in American history. Do TWO and 4 others.

Merit badge requirements are republished annually. A Scout beginning work uses the requirements as they stand then; a Scout already working may finish under the ones they started with. Guide to Advancement 7.0.4.3 governs which applies. This page records the date its copy was read. Check it against the official page before relying on it.

This plan is a planning aid: the current Boy Scouts of America publication is always the authority, and the sources used here are listed in full. Each step names its own.