Freedom 250 Badge
Discover the World
by the Freedom 250 council – https://freedom250.org/
- Preschool – ages 3-4
- Level 1 – Grades K-2
- Level 2 – Grades 3-5
- Level 3 – Grades 6-8
- Level 4 – Grades 9-12
- Level 5 – Adults 18+
Preschool: Do three requirements including the two starred *
_____ 1.* Learn what a country is. A country is a large area of land where people live together under the same set of rules and have their own leader, like a president or king. Each country has its own flag, language, and unique traditions, such as special food or holidays. Know the name of our country, the United States of America, and be able to find it on a map.
_____ 2.* Talk about what birthdays celebrate and why they are special. Celebrate the United States of America’s 250th birthday by doing a service for your community. Ideas might include picking up trash, collecting canned food to donate, drawing pictures or making cards for our veterans, help in a community garden, etc.
Level 1: Do four requirements including the two starred *
_____ 1.* Do Preschool requirements 1 & 2.
_____ 2.* Learn to recognize at least three different American symbols (such as the flag, bald eagle, Liberty Bell, or Statue of Liberty) and what they represent.
Level 2: Do five requirements including the two starred *
_____ 1.* Do Level 1 requirements 1 & 2.
_____ 2.* Learn what happened in 1776 and why that year is important to the United States. Freedom 250 celebrates 250 years since that date. Explain in your own words why this is worth celebrating.
Level 3: Do six requirements including the two starred *
_____ 1.* Do Level 2 requirements 1 & 2.
_____ 2.* What liberties and rights are granted to Americans under the Bill of Rights and the Constitution? What is the difference between rights and responsibilities? Explain how we must use our freedoms responsibly.
Level 4: Do seven requirements including the two starred *
_____ 1.* Do Level 3 requirements 1 & 2.
_____ 2.* Find out who the leader of your town or city is (mayor or manager), who the leader of your state is (governor), and explain how laws are passed at local, state and national levels.
Level 5: Do nine requirements including the two starred *
_____ 1.* Do Level 4 requirements 1 & 2.
_____ 2.* Teach someone how to do a skill from this badge or teach some knowledge about this badge to someone. You can teach children, your spouse, seniors, anyone, just as long as you are sharing your new found knowledge. If for some reason you cannot teach what you have learned to someone else, you may choose an additional 2 optional requirements instead.
Optional Requirements:
_____ 3. Make a patriotic craft or party decor.
_____ 4. Visit a historic site, museum, or landmark connected to American independence or early U.S. history (in person or virtually).
_____ 5. Learn a patriotic song or poem.
_____ 6. Create a “Road to 250” timeline that shows at least 10 important events in American history. Make sure at least 2 events come from your state’s history.
_____ 7. Learn about one founding document (Declaration of Independence, Constitution, or Bill of Rights) and explain why it matters.
_____ 8. Research how previous major anniversaries were celebrated, such as the Bicentennial in 1976. Compare them to Freedom 250.
_____ 9. Create a Freedom 250 poster or display showing what freedom means to you today.
_____ 10. Define the following terms:
- Liberty
- Justice
- Rights
- Civic Responsibility
- Citizen
- Democracy
_____ 11. Learn about your town or state’s history. Find out one way your community has contributed to American history.
_____ 12. Explore how freedom has expanded or changed in the United States over time. Identify at least three groups whose rights grew after 1776.
_____ 13. Create a local history resource brochure.
_____ 14. Read a historical speech or quote about freedom and discuss what it means in everyday life.
_____ 15. Create a time capsule to be opened on the 300th birthday of the United States. Include a letter to your future self about what you hope the United States will be like on that date.
_____ 16. Explore age-appropriate civic participation. Learn how citizens help their communities today through voting (for adults), volunteering, local boards, or public service jobs.
_____ 17. Create an educational piece such as a video, podcast, brochure, poster or article to help younger kids understand the importance of the 250th birthday of the United States.
_____ 18. Interview a veteran, an immigrant, or an older community member. What does civic responsibility mean to them? What opportunities are they grateful for? How has the country changed in their lifetime?
_____ 19. Learn about one historical figure from the Revolutionary era and one modern American who helped expand freedoms.
_____ 20. Write or draw what freedom means to you at your age.
