Requirements June 1972 until July 1976

1. Read the Declaration of Independence and tell in your own words the meaning of the "self-evident truths" referred to.

2. Read the Constitution of the United States of America with its amendments.

(a) Explain its purpose as set forth in the Preamble.
(b) Chart the organization of our government into three branches as outlined in Articles 1, 2, and 3.
(c) Explain the checks and balances.  Give the reason for them.
(d) Tell how the Constitution may be amended.

3. Show newspaper or magazine stories which show how three of the rights in our Bill or Rights have been protected in our country.

4. Talk over the main differences between a republic and a democracy. Tell how these differences have been adapted to our form of government.

5. Take part in a group discussion of an important national problem of the day. Report on both sides that were presented. Tell what you learned from it.

6. Do ONE of the following:

(a) Visit the National Capitol or a Federal project which serves your town or region; or a place associated with a person or event which figured in the history of our country. Get information for your visit. Report on your trip, explaining why the things you saw are important.

(b) Correspond with someone about your age who lives in another part of the United States. Exchange things such as ideas, pictures, and descriptive material. From this exchange, compare the two places. Show how they are alike and different.

7. Tell the names of the Senators from your state and your Representative in Congress. Tell how you should address a letter to them at their Washington offices. Write to one of your Congressmen, giving your views on a local or national issue of your choice. Show a copy of your letter to your counselor.

8. Tell what branch or department of the government is responsible for 10 of the following:

national parks
national forests
fish and wildlife
weather forecasting
flood control
investigation of violations of Federal laws
judgment on such violations
atomic energy
education
minting of money
appropriations for government expenses
foreign policy
supreme command of our Armed Forces
soil conservation
child welfare
public housing
water and air pollution

9. Do the following:

(a) Outline five ways in which the Federal Government serves you, your family, and your town directly. Also, talk with your parents (or guardians) and counselor about the ways in which Federal income, Social Security, excise and other taxes, as well as import duties, affect the cost of living.

(b) Explain what is meant by "resource management".

(c) List five Federal conservation agencies. List the main ones in your state. List five private conservation groups. Tell what they do. Describe three successful conservation projects in your area.

10. Tell what a citizen from another country must do to become a United States citizen.