Good Citizen Challenge 2023

★ Visit Your Local Library (center square)

Borrow something and return it on time. Tell us what it was and why you chose it.

1. Remember This

Public memorials commemorate people and events a community wants everyone to remember. Visit a memorial near where you live and find out who it honors and why. Tell us which one you picked and what you learned about it.

2. “Freedom and Unity”

Create a piece of art explaining what Vermont’s motto, “Freedom and Unity,” means to you. It could be a drawing, a collage, a song, a poem, a sculpture, a video, a mural — whatever you like! Share it with us.

3. Clean Up

Spend at least 15 minutes picking up litter in a public park or playground. Send a photo of the stuff you picked up and threw away. Don’t forget to wear gloves!

4. Get Together

Participate in a community event: Go to a festival, parade, concert or other gathering in your city or town. Who put it on and why? Who paid for it? Find out and write them a thank-you note telling them what you liked about it. Share the note with us.

5. Pitching In

Talk with someone who volunteers with an organization in your community. Where do they volunteer? How much time do they spend volunteering? Why did they get involved? How does volunteering make them feel? Tell us what you learned.

6. Who Turned on the Lights?

When did your city or town get electricity? Who was responsible for making it happen? Ask your librarian, local historical society or your power company for help investigating. Tell us what you learned.

7. Connect With Neighbors

Join your neighborhood’s free Front Porch Forum — or, if you’re under 14, have an adult in your household subscribe — and contribute a post sharing something you’ve learned about your community doing the Good Citizen Challenge.

8. Stay Safe

Visit your local fire department or talk with a firefighter or rescue squad member. How long have they been doing this work? Why did they join the fire department or rescue squad? Who pays for their equipment and training? How can you help them keep your community or family safe? Tell us what you learned.

9. See the Spot

Visit a state historical marker. Tell us which one you picked and draw a picture to show us your interpretation of the person, place or event it depicts.

10. Read the Paper

Read a whole issue of your local community newspaper, in print or online. Don’t have a copy? Look for it at the library.

11. Think Globally

Do something to learn about or help a community far away. For example: Watch a documentary, or attend a vigil, rally or event about a global issue such as climate change or war.

12. Shop Local

Pick a business in your community that you and your family go to often, and fill out a comment card or leave a positive review online to show your support. Share your comments with us.

13. Blast From the Past

Listen to or watch a local history program, such as “Before Your Time,” a podcast from the Vermont Historical Society and Vermont Humanities, or watch a local history documentary. What did you watch or listen to, and what did you learn?

14. Organize Support

Gather donations for a local nonprofit or charity of your choice by encouraging friends, neighbors or family members to contribute. Expand your impact by using Front Porch Forum to seek donations or promote your campaign. Tell us which charity you chose and why, who contributed, and how much you raised.

15. Room Where it Happens

Visit your town or city hall. Find the room where city or town council meetings happen. Tell us about the room. What’s on the walls? How are the chairs arranged? Why do you think it’s set up this way?

16. Watch the News

Watch the local news on TV, or the latest episode of “Vermont This Week” on Vermont Public. Tell us which station and program you chose and what you learned.

17. Oldest Building

What’s the oldest building in your city or town? Who built it? How long has it been there? Ask your librarian or local historical society for help. Send us a picture or drawing of the building.

18. Museum Piece

Pick an object in your life that could be part of a future museum exhibit about life in 2023 and write a label for it. Tell us what it’s called, where it came from and how it’s used.

19. What’s in a Name?

Pick a local place name — a town, a road, a lake, a mountain — and find out where it comes from. Ask your librarian or local historical society for help. Tell us which one you picked and what you learned.

20. Running for Office

Talk with an elected official. Why did they run for office? What keeps them going through challenging times? Do they get paid for their service? Tell us who you talked to and what you learned.

21. Listen to the News

Listen to a local news show or podcast from Vermont Public or another radio station. Tell us which program you chose and what you learned.

22. Deed Search

Go to your city or town hall and find the deed for a property that’s meaningful to you. How old is it? How many people have owned it? Do you recognize any of the names on the deed? Tell us which property you chose and what you learned.

23. The Social Dilemma

Listen to the episode of But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids titled: “Why Is Social Media So Addictive?” Teens might prefer to watch the Netflix docudrama “The Social Dilemma.” Tell us which you chose and what you learned.

24. Take Control

Improve your ability to focus by managing your relationship to your digital devices. Do at least one of the suggested activities on the Take Control checklist from the Center for Humane Technology.