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- Troop #57
- Palo Alto, California
- February 2003
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- BSA requirements for Eagle rank slide 3
- Be active in troop slide 4
- Demonstrate Scout spirit slide 5
- Earning merit badges slides 6-7
- Leadership positions slide 8
- Eagle Scout leadership service project slides 9-34
- Scoutmaster conference slides 35-36
- Eagle board of review slides 37-38
- Concluding comments slide 39
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- Be active in your troop and patrol for at least six months as a Life
Scout.
- Demonstrate Scout spirit by living the Scout Oath (Promise) and Scout
Law in your everyday life.
- While a Life Scout, serve actively for a period of six months in one or
more of positions of responsibility.
- While a Life Scout, plan, develop, and give leadership to others in a
service project helpful to any religious institution, any school, or
your community.
- Take part in a Scoutmaster conference.
- Successfully complete an Eagle Scout board of review.
- Requirements #1 through 5 must be completed before the Scout’s 18th
birthday.
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- Troop 57 has established a definition of what “active” means; talk with
the Scoutmaster or an ASM for current requirements
- Definition of “active” for leadership positions has higher requirements
- Active means more than merely showing up, and must include Scout Spirit…
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5
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- Scout Spirit is an assessment of whether a Scout is living the Oath and
Law.
- Elements of Scout Spirit include:
- Attendance at meetings and outings
- Enthusiasm and positive attitude
- Wearing appropriate uniform
- Working effectively with younger Scouts
- Demonstrating leadership
- Being prepared
- Ultimately, decision to recommend a Scout for Eagle rank will be based
on evidence of Scout Spirit
- One requirement on Eagle application is 5 to 6 references from individuals who know Scout personally
and can attest that he lives by the principles of the Scout Oath and
Law.
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- Twelve required merit badges
- First Aid - Communications
- Citizenship in Community - Citizenship
in Nation
- Family Life - Citizenship in
World
- Personal Fitness - Environmental
Science
- Personal Management - Camping
- Emergency Preparedness or Lifesaving
- Swimming or Hiking or Cycling
- Some required merit badges take time to complete and cannot be delayed
until just before a Scout’s 18th birthday
- It is not difficult to earn 5 or 6 merit badges during the two week
summer camp at Oljato.
- Merit badges earned beyond the 21 required can be applied to Eagle
Palms.
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- Scouts must take initiative to start and complete merit badges
- Scouts need to contact counselors for the merit badges they need
- In general, “partials” are not a
good idea
- If you do the work, you earn the merit badge, if you don’t do the work….
- Keep records on merit badges earned
- Retain Scout portion of each blue card in sports card holders
- Periodically compare blue card records to Troopmaster Individual
History Report
- Correct any discrepancies with troop advancement chair
- Meritbadge.com is a great resource
- Parents can help the troop by becoming merit badge counselors
- Merit badges can be earned as a patrol activity
- Merit badges are about initiative, acquiring skills and perseverance
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- Eligible leadership positions include: patrol leader, SPL, ASPL, troop
guide, den chief, junior assistant Scoutmaster and other positions as
approved by the Scoutmaster.
- Troop #57 has requirements for leadership positions
- Training requirements: talk with Scoutmaster or ASM for current
requirements
- Definition of what “active” means
- All Life Scouts must obtain Scoutmaster approval before taking a
leadership position
- Note that Scouts must perform successfully in a leadership position in
order to obtain credit for Eagle advancement
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- Leadership: it is about your
ability to work with and organize others to complete a successful
project
- Service: the project should make a material contribution to a
community-based, non-profit organization
- Skills development: the project will test your skills in
- Planning
- Communications
- Project management
- Managing and dealing with lots of different people and organizations
- Initiative: putting your Scouting skills to work on a project that you
are responsible for from concept to completion
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10
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- Decide when you want to get the project completed.
- You can start the project anytime after you become a Life Scout
- Ideally, you should plan to complete the Eagle project no later than
your sophomore year in high school.
- The whole process from start to finish typically takes 4 to 6 months
(not weeks)
- Plan ahead so that you can find a time when the Eagle project can be
balanced with
- Schoolwork
- Sports and other commitments
- Vacation schedules (yours and others)
- Set a deadline for completing the project and stick with it. Your enemy is procrastination.
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- Pick up two “hard copies” of the Eagle Service Project Worksheet (the
“Worksheet”) at the Scouthouse and read one. Make sure the form is the latest
version. (Currently © 2002)
- Download a “soft copy” of the Worksheet from http://www.scouting.org/boyscouts/eagleproject/dload.html
- Ask your parents to support you on this project.
- Review this presentation so that you know what you have to do.
- Make the completion of the project a priority.
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- This step is the biggest stumbling block for Life Scouts
- What makes for a good Eagle project:
- Should be a project that you are enthusiastic about
- Must benefit a non-profit group other than Scouting
- Leaves something tangible behind which you are proud of
- Requires planning and leadership of others to complete
- Project scope:
- should require about 125 to 250 hours, including
- planning
- Scout and helpers
- not more than 50% of time should be the Eagle Scout candidate
- Large enough to demonstrate leadership of others
- Not so large it is overwhelming
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13
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- Limitations:
- Not routine labor or maintenance
- Not BSA property or activities
- Not a business, commercial nature, or fundraiser
- Joint projects ( 2 or more Scouts) are not allowed
- Places to look for a project
- City recreation departments
- Schools
- Religious organizations
- Non-profit organizations
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- Start by talking with
- Your favorite teachers
- Volunteer coordinators at non-profits
- Your minister or church youth program leader
- Any non-profit organizations that you or your parents are involved with
- Other Scouts who have completed their projects
- www search using “Eagle Project”
will lead to many other ideas
- Once you have a project idea, review it with an Eagle ASM to ensure it
is likely to fulfill the requirements
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15
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- Planning is the most important part of any successful Eagle project, and
it takes time…
- The Workbook provides the format for planning the project.
- Once you have the “OK” from an Eagle ASM, prepare an initial write-up
using a soft copy of the Workbook.
- Complete the cover page, “Project Description” and “Project Details”
sections thoroughly
- Take “before” photos of your planned project, including narrative
- Include a sketch or drawing of your project
- What will it look like
- Include measurements
- Conceptual and technical
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17
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18
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19
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- A completed project plan will address the following:
- Does the sponsoring organization qualify for an Eagle project?
- Non-profit
- Non-BSA
- Broad benefit to community
- Is the project appropriate?
- Not too large or too small
- Leaves something tangible behind; not a maintenance project
- Enables you to demonstrate leadership
- Reflects well on Scouting and you
- How much will the project cost? How will it be paid for?
- What will materials and tools cost for the project: have an itemized list with unit costs
(see format on next slide)
- If the sponsoring agency will not pay for all materials, how will you raise the money? (Parents cannot be the principal
source)
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21
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- A completed project plan will address the following:
- What is your project plan?
- List of tasks and # hours estimated for each through completion
- Prepare Excel spreadsheet with estimated hours (see next slide)
- Drawings and designs to show what you intend to do
- How will you ensure that the project is carried out safely?
- Adult supervision; need to be “two deep”
- Use of power tools
- You may be able to get the lumber yard to pre-cut for you
- Your project plan should convince the reader that the service project will be successful for
everyone involved.
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23
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- Review your initial write-up with the Eagle ASM’s; this usually takes 2
to 3 meetings
- Get signatures on two Workbook copies: official BSA form and word
processing copy
- Your project must be formally signed off by each of the following in
this order:
- Executive at non-profit sponsoring your service project
- Eagle ASM
- Troop committee member
- District advancement chair
- Be prepared: it often takes a few meetings and 4 to 8 weeks before you have all the approvals to
begin.
- You cannot start performing the project until you have all these approvals completed
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- Keep detailed, daily record of project and progress
- Who worked on project , # of hours (keep track of service hours each day)
- Take photos each day on the project
- Notes of what went well, what didn’t go according to plan, lessons
learned
- Maintain “variance reports” showing actual vs plan for both materials
and time
- Keep detailed records to answer the following in your final write-up:
- In what ways did you demonstrate leadership of others?
- Give examples of how you directed the project rather than doing the
work yourself
- In what way did the religious institution, school or community group benefit from the
project?
- Did the project follow the plan?
- If changes to the plan were made, explain why the changes were
necessary.
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- Set a schedule for completing the project and stick to it
- Do a job that you are proud of and reflects well upon Scouting
- On time: keep momentum to finish the project, including write-up
- On budget: see how your
estimates were for both materials and labor
- Quality work: “On my honor I will do my best…”
- People are more likely to help on your project if:
- You are active in the troop
- You help out on other Eagle projects
- You remember the 13th part of the Scout Law
- Non-Scouts are welcome to help out on Eagle projects
- Have fun. You should be able to
look at the Eagle project as
one of your most enjoyable experiences in Scouting.
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- Keep both the sponsor and the Eagle ASM’s up to date on your progress.
- Ask for help when you hit roadblocks. (Every project has roadblocks…)
- As the project progresses, have it inspected by both an Eagle ASM and
the project sponsor.
- Avoid the “dead zone” between completing the project and completing the
write-up. (You should be doing
the write-up as you do the project.)
- Procrastination is still your biggest enemy…
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- Write- up with the same thoroughness as an important term paper
- Put in a binder that is labeled and well organized. Organization counts.
- Include official BSA “hard-copy” of Workbook with original signatures
- Use “soft copy” of Workbook for write-up.
- Maintain two complete, signed off copies of your Eagle Project
book. (1 copy will be submitted
to the Council)
- Also include:
- Planned vs actual materials and explanations for variances
- Planned vs. actual hours and explanations for variances
- Conclusions from project
- “After” photographs with some narrative
- Thank you letters to project sponsor and key suppliers
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- Write- up with the same thoroughness as an important term paper
- Be sure to answer the following in your final write-up:
- In what ways did you demonstrate leadership of others?
- Give examples of how you directed the project rather than doing the
work yourself
- In what way did the religious institution, school or community group benefit from the
project?
- Did the project follow the plan?
- If changes to the plan were made, explain why the changes were
necessary.
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33
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34
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- Project sponsor at non-profit agency: obtain signatures on two hard copy
Workbooks
- Eagle ASM’s of Troop #57: this may take several meetings and will
include a review of
- Completeness of your write-up
- Results of project: on time, on budget, quality
- Documentation: photos, lessons learned,…
- How well organized is your presentation
- Your leadership service project
will ultimately be reviewed at your Eagle Board of Review by the Pacific
Skyline Council.
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35
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- Obtain Eagle Scout Rank Application at Scouthouse and complete form
using:
- Individual History report from Troopmaster database
- Also check against printout of your advancement history from the
council records (the Scouthouse can print this out for you.)
- All dates for advancement, merit badges etc. on Eagle application must
tie to the council records. If
the council records are incorrect, work with the troop advancement
chair to get them corrected.
- Note that you are required to supply 5 or 6 references who know you
personally and can attest that you live by oath and law.
- It is advisable to attach a copy of the Troopmaster Advancement History
and copies of blue cards to the Eagle Application.
- Application must include a brief summary about Scout’s ambitions and
life’s goals
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36
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- Eagle Scoutmaster conference will be conducted by Troop #57 Scoutmaster
and one or more Eagle ASM’s.
- Goals of the conference:
- Confirm that all requirements for Eagle rank have been completed other
than Scoutmaster conference and board of review
- Review of Scout’s experience in Scouting and knowledge gained
- Assessment of preparedness for Eagle rank
- Expect to take about 2+ hours for conference. Scout may be asked to come
back for follow up meeting.
- “Study guide” is available for Scout prior to conference.
- Scouts should prepare as they would for an important final examination and
appear in full class A uniform.
- Note that the Eagle Scoutmaster conference must be completed by the Scouts 18th
birthday.
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- All applicants for Eagle rank are encouraged to have their Eagle
application package reviewed by an Eagle ASM prior to submission to the
council.
- Once the package is submitted to the council, dates will be checked and
references contacted prior to scheduling the board of review.
- Eagle boards of review are conducted at the district level. Board will be scheduled depending on
the availability of district personnel.
This may take a few weeks.
- You should notify T57 Scoutmaster and Eagle ASM’s once your Board of
Review is scheduled so that one of them can attend as an observer.
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- Conducted by 3 to 6 district personnel plus observer from T57.
- Reviews are wide ranging and typically encompass:
- Review of Scout Oath and Law, their meaning and application in the
Scout’s life
- The history of scouting, the scout badge
- Proper display and handling of the American flag
- The Eagle Leadership Service Project with focus on leadership
- Attitudes about Scouting and life in general
- How Scouting has affected the Scout and his outlook on life
- Typical duration is about one hour after which the board meets privately
to decide whether the Scout meets the requirements for Eagle rank. Decisions must be unanimous.
- Once the board of review is successfully completed, paperwork is submitted to the BSA national
office for final approval, which
may take a few months.
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- The key elements in reaching Eagle rank are your initiative, active
involvement and perseverance.
- The troop and your parents can help but ultimately the achievement and
recognition are yours.
- Plan on reaching Eagle within two years of achieving Life Scout
rank. Create a plan and:
- Remain active in troop and patrol activities
- Identify and complete an Eagle Leadership Service Project
- Identify and complete a leadership role that is interesting to you
- Complete your merit badges
- Through its almost 70 year history, almost 160 Scouts have earned their
Eagle in Troop #57.
- You can add your name to that list.
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Notes
