What is the significance of becoming an Eagle Scout?
The Eagle Scout rank represents the highest level of achievement within the Scouts BSA program. It is a symbol of a Scout’s dedication, leadership skills, and commitment to serving their community. Earning the Eagle Scout rank is not just about acquiring merit badges or learning outdoor skills; it is about character development, leadership, and making a positive impact on society.
Why become an Eagle Scout?
Personal Growth and Character Development
Becoming an Eagle Scout is a journey of personal growth and character development. Throughout their Scouting journey, Scouts learn valuable life skills, such as problem-solving, communication, and resilience. The process of earning merit badges and taking on leadership roles helps them become responsible and confident individuals.
Educational Opportunities
Eagle Scouts are often sought after by colleges and universities because they demonstrate a commitment to excellence, leadership, and community service. Many institutions offer scholarships and financial aid to Eagle Scouts to support their education. Additionally, the skills learned in Scouting can be applied in academic settings, contributing to success in school.
Career Advancement
Employers highly value the qualities and skills that Eagle Scouts possess. Leadership, teamwork, discipline, and a strong work ethic are attributes that make Eagle Scouts stand out in the job market. Many employers recognize the significance of the Eagle Scout rank and are more likely to hire individuals who have achieved this prestigious rank.
Networking and Community Involvement
Eagle Scouts become part of a vast and supportive network of Scouting alumni. This network can provide valuable connections and opportunities throughout their lives. Additionally, Eagle Scouts are often invited to participate in community events and projects, allowing them to continue their service and make a positive impact on their communities.
What are the requirements to become an Eagle Scout?
To be eligible for the Eagle Scout rank, a Scout must meet the following criteria:
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Have been active as a Life Scout for at least six months.
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Have earned a minimum of 21 merit badges, including 14 required ones (see below).
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Hold positions of leadership within their troop.
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Complete a significant community service project.
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Scouts must also be under the age of 18, although certain accommodations can be made for Scouts with disabilities or those who have experienced challenges in their Scouting journey.
Required Merit Badges:
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First Aid
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Citizenship in the Community
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Citizenship in the Nation
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Citizenship in the World
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Communication
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Cooking
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Personal Fitness
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Choose one: Emergency Preparedness OR Lifesaving
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Choose one: Environmental Science OR Sustainability
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Personal Management
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Choose one: Cycling, Hiking OR Swimming
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Camping
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Family Life
What do I need to complete & turn in before my 18th birthday?
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Earn at least 21 merit badges, including the 14 required merit badges
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Complete at least 6 months of leadership as a Life Scout in approved leadership positions. (See Scouts BSA Handbook or Eagle Scout Rank Application for approved positions.)
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Eagle Scout Service Project
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Final Project report with signatures
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Unit Leader Conference
Before Eagle Board of Review:
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Scout must have completed & turned in all of the above items
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Eagle rank application
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Statement of ambition & life purpose (See Eagle Rank Application)
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Letters of recommendation*
*A Scout may still have the board of review without all of letters turned in, but it is not recommended
For any questions, please contact Eagle Coordinator:
Sammie Shaw
sammie.shaw@scouting.org
806-902-8463
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an Eagle Project?
According to the Guide to Advancement (GTA §9.0.2.7.) an Eagle Project must meet 5 Tests:
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The project provides sufficient opportunity to meet the requirement.
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The project appears to be feasible.
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Safety issues will be addressed.
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Action steps for further detailed planning are included.
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The Scout is on the right track with a reasonable chance for a positive experience.
These 5 Tests are met and demonstrated through the Proposal Section of the workbook when the Scout presents the project to the Troop Scoutmaster and Committee. The Proposal must be detailed enough to provide a level of confidence for a reviewer that the tests can be met.
Eagle Projects are Unit Events:
Eagle Scout Projects Are Unit Events and as such must comply with YPT Guidelines. The beginning of the GTA says: “The Guide to Safe Scouting Applies. Policies and procedures outlined in the Guide to Safe Scouting apply to all Scouting America activities, including those related to advancement and Eagle Scout, Summit, and Quartermaster service projects.”
This means that Eagle Project Workdays must comply with YPT. Two Registered Adult Scouting America (Scouts USA) Leaders must be in attendance. Registered Adults have completed and turned in an Adult Application, completed and passed the YPT Course (valid through the entire year), completed AB506 Training, completed the requisite training for their position and have been fingerprinted.
Where can I refer my Scouts to Find Eagle Projects?
Begin with a conversation, find out the Scout’s ideas. The best project will be one that the Scout likes and is passionate about. Finding the right project will take work, research and effort. Encourage the Scout to maximize, yet enjoy, their Scouting journey.
Some ideas of Eagle Project locations are:
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Charter Organization – Return service to the Charter Organization and ask them what Eagle Scout Projects are available at their location.
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City – Ask your home city (where Scouts live or go to school) what projects they are in need of.
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The Scout’s Church or Religious Institution will have projects that they can offer.
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Schools – Have the Scout check with their current school, past schools or their siblings schools. What needs do they have that an Eagle Scout Project can be meet?
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Philanthropic Organizations are located all around us. Places like soup kitchens, children centers, assistance leagues, veteran organizations (and so many others) have a need for a variety of Eagle Scout Projects. Reach out and ask.
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NESA, the National Eagle Scout Association, has an “Eagle Project Generator” which will give Scouts ideas as to where to find projects based on their interest. It does not provide specific locations but will give an idea as to where to ask for projects. The ‘Eagle Project Generator’ can be found: https://nesa.org/resources/trail-to-eagle/project-idea-generator/.
Where do I refer my Scouts if they have Questions?
A Unit’s first contact would be a conversation with the Scoutmaster and the Troop Life to Eagle Coach. If further information is needed, contact the SPC Eagle Processor, Mrs. Sammie Shaw, at sammie.shaw@scouting.org, or the SPC Advancement Chair, Mr. Herb Kopper.
Do I need my application to be council certified before my 18th birthday?
No. You have up to 24 months after turning 18 to have your application council certified.
Do I need to have my Board of Review before my 18th birthday?
No. You have up to 24 months after turning 18 to have your Eagle Board of Review.
Do I need to be registered in my unit in order to have an Eagle Board of Review?
No. A candidate must be registered through the time the requirements are being completed but need not be registered thereafter or when the Eagle Scout Board of Review is conducted.
Does my Unit Leader and Committee Chair need to sign my application before my 18th birthday?
No. You will need them, as well as your own signature, on the application when you submit it for council certification, but they may be obtained after you turn 18.
Do I have to write my life ambitions statement before my 18th birthday?
No. You will need to write it before you submit it for council certification.
Do I need to have signatures on my Eagle Service Project report before my 18th birthday?
No. The project report signatures need not be dated before the Scout’s 18th birthday. It is the work on the project that is required.
Do I need to have my Scoutmaster conference before my 18th birthday?
Yes, but the Scoutmaster conference does not need to be that last requirement completed before the board of review. That conference can be held any time that the Scout is Life rank. Talk to your Scoutmaster about holding your conference before you turn 18.
I was approved for an extension. Do I need to have my board before it expires?
No. Your extension expiration date is like your “new 18th birthday.”
Where can I find a project workbook?
The Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook can be found online: https://www.scouting.org/programs/boy-scouts/advancement-and-awards/eagle-workbookprocedures/
What are the requirements that need to be completed before I turn 18?
The 21 merit badges, service project, active participation, Scout spirit, position of responsibility, and unit leader conference. You will have three months after your 18th birthday to complete your Board of Review.
When can I have my Board of Review?
Board of Reviews cannot be scheduled until the application has been verified by the council.
How do I turn in my application?
We require that you turn in your original application, and be sure to make a copy of your application with all signatures. It is best if you or someone you trust (unit leader or parent) personally drop the application off at the Scout Shop/Council Office. However, it can be mailed to the office if necessary. Please do not submit your Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook and the Statement of Life Purpose with the application.
Who do I contact if I want a copy of my personal profile or record?
You can obtain a copy in Scoutbook under your personal page or unit roster.
What does the last question “Had you completed fifth grade upon joining? ■ Yes ■ No” mean?
This questions is simply asking if you completed fifth grade before joining Scouts. “One who has completed fifth grade or earned the Arrow of Light Award.”
What positions do I include under Requirement 4?
You should list all positions of responsibility that you served starting AFTER your completed Life Board of Review.
How am I contacted after submitting my application?
If there are any questions about your application you will receive an email with the questions that need to be answered. Once your application is verified, you will receive a Next Step Email with directions on how to set-up your Board of Review.
How long will it take from the time I have my Eagle Board of Review to the time I receive my Certificate?
Typically, it takes about 4 weeks from the time your application is returned after your Board of Review for the Certificate to be sent to the office. Once the Eagle Certificate and other documents are prepared one of your Unit Leaders will be contacted for pick-up.
Starting Your Eagle Project
Choose Your Project
See the FAQ for suggestions on where to find a suitable Eagle Project.
Submitting the Proposal
After coming up with the project, it's time to begin the proposal. Download the Eagle Project Workbook. Fill out the project proposal portion of the Workbook. Once the proposal is filled out, it will need to be submitted to the Scout Office at 30 Briercroft Office Park, Lubbock, Texas. A Scout can submit it in person, or have a parent or unit leader bring it in.
Project Approval
After submitting the proposal, it will be reviewed by the Advancement Committee. After it has been reviewed, the Scout will receive an approval or a request for more information, modification of your proposal, or a rejection. If the Scout receives a response, they may retrieve your book from the Scout Office to make adjustments and resubmit changes or if approved, begin your project.
Fundraising
The Project Workbook has helpful information about fundraising to complete the project. If there are any questions, please contact the Scout Office and we will be happy to answer any questions. Here is a helpful document about fundraising.
During Your Project
Make sure to document the project during its process! Make notes, take pictures throughout the project, and keep track of everything and everyone involved. Be working on the "Project Plan" throughout the project!
After the Project is Complete
Finishing the Project Workbook
After the project is complete, the candidate will need to complete the project workbook. The "Project Plan" and the "Project Report" will need to be filled out and signed by the beneficiary and unit leader. After the workbook is complete, it may turned in at the Scout Office.
IMPORTANT: The Eagle candidate will not be able to move forward with the process until the Eagle Scout Rank Application is completed and turned in!
Unit Leader Conference
Scouts will need to complete their Unit Leader Conference before the Eagle Application is turned in. This date should be noted on the application.
Eagle Scout Rank Application
Filling Out Your Application
Scouts should please read through the application carefully to make sure they don't miss anything important such as your Statement of Ambition.
Don't forget to get signatures!
Reference Letters
It is good practice to inform your references that we will be requesting a letter from them by e-mail. Do NOT ask your references to send the letters to you. The Scout Office will send the requests directly to them, and the letters should be sent to our office directly. If you have any questions about this process, please contact the Scout Office.
It is your responsibility to make sure your references send us the letters. You may call us to find out who has submitted letters and who hasn't. We will not continuously make attempts to contact them.
Board of Review
Scheduling Your Board
Once all of your reference letters have been received, the Scout Office will contact you to about scheduling your board of review. It is the Eagle Candidate's responsibility to let the Scout Office know they are ready to schedule their board.
If the candidate needs to proceed before the reference letters have been received, it is their responsibility to contact the Scout Office. (Note: This is not recommended unless under certain circumstances. For example, candidate is leaving for military service or higher education.)
After the Scout office has been notified by the candidate, the Eagle Coordinator will contact the Advancement Committee. The Advancement Committee will contact the Unit leadership to schedule the Board of Review.
After Your Board of Review
Candidates will receive a letter from the Scout Office notifying of their status as an Eagle.
Eagle certificates and cards usually take 3-5 weeks to arrive to the Scout Office from the National Office.
Eagles may contact the office any time to see if their certificates have arrived. Awards are not mailed unless requested. They may be picked up by parents or unit leadership.