Your Trail to Eagle Scout

Scouts should “Be Prepared” and can start working on Eagle merit badge requirements prior to earning Life Rank as some merit badges and other requirements can take time to complete.

The Eagle project can also take an extended period of time to complete, often a minimum of 2 to 4 months but often much longer. The current version of the Scouting America’s Guide to Advancement, has more detailed information.

Any Scout who has questions about the Eagle Scout Service Project and Eagle Rank Application are encouraged to ask questions of their Unit Leaders, Unit Advancement Chair, Eagle Mentor, and/or the District Advancement Committee.

Essential Tip

• Review all the current requirements for Eagle Scout which can be found in ScoutBook.
• Use Scoutbook to pre-fill your application information already in Scoutbook. Scoutbook will also prefill most of the information on your application. For more information go to: Eagle Scout Rank Application from Scoutbook (SB).
• Your name as it appears on the application will be how your name appears on your Eagle Scout Certificate.
• Type your Application so it can be read.

 A Scout should plan to ensure all the requirements are met prior to applying for Eagle, allowing sufficient time in their plan to complete all the requirements before age 18.

For Up-to-date requirements and national policies please visit Scouting America Advancement and Awards.

“Remember to use the Buddy System” when working on your rank.

Finding an Eagle Mentor is highly recommended.  Meet with your Unit Leader to determine who might be able to partner with you.  Most Units should have an Eagle Mentor.  Your Eagle Mentor will be familiar with the current Eagle Scout requirements, has a working relationship with the District Eagle Coordinator, and is someone you like working with

Essential Tip

Eagle Mentors are there to advise and guide you in the Eagle Scout Service Project Process. At no time are they supposed to do your work or make your decisions for you.

 PLEASE NOTE: 2-Deep Leadership is required for all meetings, counseling sessions, email and text messaging.

The Eagle Service Project is designed to be an opportunity for a Scout to show that they can satisfy Eagle Scout Requirement 5, complete a community service project that demonstrates their ability to learn, and meet the requirements as part of the Service Project for Eagle which include:

• Planning
• Development
• And giving leadership

Eagle Mentor or Project Coach

An Eagle Mentor or Project Coach from your unit is highly recommended to assist in review and provide guidance. An Eagle Mentor or Project Coach only provides support and does not write the Proposal, the Project Plan, or the Project Report. That is the responsibility of the Scout.

 The Project

The first step to planning for your project is to download and review the current Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook, which consists of the Eagle Scout Service Project Proposal, the Eagle Scout Service Project Plan, and the Eagle Scout Service Project Report. The most current version must be used and can be found on Scouting.org. Do not use any other source.

Essential Tip

• Review the Workbook to ensure that all the requirements are understood.
• Required Signatures, Approvals and any items identified by“Must” are required.

Choosing A Project

Now that you know what the process will look like, it’s time to pick what you want for a project. Choosing your project should be unique to you and something you find interest in. If you don’t like the project, you can always pick a different one but talk about this with your Eagle Mentor or Coach.

Projects tend to fall into one of four broad categories, Conservation, Construction, Collection, and Creative.  If you need ideas?  Be resourceful, talk with unit leaders, other Eagle Scouts, your school, communities and religious organizations.  You can check out NESA’s Eagle Project Idea Generator and the Eagle Scout Project Requirements and Resources to help you.

 The Eagle Scout Service Project Proposal

 The next step is to complete the Eagle Scout Service Project Proposal. This can be completed on a computer using fillable pdf form that can also be downloaded and filled out, typewritten or by hand in ink. No pencils please! The writing must be legible. Simply provide answers to the questions asked. Remember to provide enough detail that anyone reading it will understand what the project is about and the steps without having to ask further questions.

 Once your Proposal has been completed it must be approved by the Unit Leader, Unit Committee, Beneficiary and by the District designated person. Work cannot be started on the Eagle Scout Service Project until those approvals have been completed.

 Eagle Scout Service Project Fundraising Application

 Donations refer to the donating of materials, supplies, tools, etc. If a donor discounts any item(s) purchased for a Project, the discount amount should be reported as part of the donation amount. This application is not necessary for contributions from the candidate, the candidate’s parents or relatives, unit or its chartered organization, unit’s parents or members, or the beneficiary.  Fundraising or seeking donations cannot begin until the Fundraising Application has been approved.

Eagle Scout Service Project Plan

Scouts are strongly encouraged to use this portion of the Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook.

 The Plan guides the Scout to lay out a complete overview and complete details of the project from start to finish to show that Requirement 5 has been met.   The Project Plan does not have to be approved but it should be reviewed by the Scout’s Project Coach and/or unit and be shared with the beneficiary for comment.

A candidate is encouraged to supply a copy of any Project Plan to their Eagle Board of Review.   The beneficiary can require that a Scout complete a Project Plan and obtain approval of that plan by the beneficiary if they so desire.

Simply provide answers to the questions asked. Remember to provide enough detail that anyone reading it will understand what the project is about, the steps and materials to be used and sufficient detail so that another person could finish your project if you were not able to.

Eagle Scout Service Project Report

Answer the questions posed by the Workbook with enough detail to address the reader’s inquiries. The Scout candidate completes the process by signing the Report and obtaining signed approvals from the Beneficiary and Unit Leader.

Before and after photographs are encouraged as they often add to report content and understanding of the Project.

For district approvals, find the contacts for your district here!

It is suggested that you submit All of the completed Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook in a binder along with the Eagle Scout Rank Application Form and Letter of Ambition to ensure that all the pages stay in a neat packet and are not lost. Plastic Sheet protectors are optional but can be used to protect the pages and keep any photographs in correct order.

 Eagle Scout Rank Application

The completed and signed Eagle Scout Rank Application Form must be submitted to the Scout Office at the same time as the Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook reports. The most current version must be used and can be found on Scouting.org.

Dates entered into the application will be verified as part of the review process by the Scout Office. To avoid delay a check should be done of ScoutBook to ensure that all information there is up to date and that the dates in ScoutBook match what you have entered on the Rank Application Form.

 Letter of Ambition

The Scout candidate is asked to provide a statement of their ambitions and life purpose and a listing of positions held in their religious institution, school, camp, community, or other organizations, during which they demonstrated leadership skills. Include honors and awards received during this service.

Eagle Letter of Reference

At least one month before your Eagle Scout Board of Review request a reference letter from each of the reference individuals you list on the Eagle application form (requirement #2).  Download and print five 5 reference letter forms (print 6 forms if you have an employer reference) from your District.  A custom version of this form from your District is found on your District website.  Please provide each one a copy of the reference form and a stamped, pre-addressed envelope.

Address the envelopes to the District Advancement Chair.  The Eagle Scout Candidate is not to collect or read the reference letters.  Please Note: These reference letters are confidential; for the eyes of the Eagle Board Review members only.  

Once the Scout Office has completed verification of the Rank Application information you will be referred for an Eagle Board of Review. Normally Boards of Review are conducted at least once a month at a District level. Candidates will be contacted by the District to arrange for a date and time.

Eagle Rank is official once approved by National, about 2 to 3 weeks after the Board of Review. The council Scout Office will send an email to the Scoutmaster that the certificate is back, and it is being mailed to the Scout, unless the Scoutmaster or the Scout wants to pick up the certificate.  If the Scoutmaster or Scout wants to pick it up, they will need to contact the council Scout Office.

You deserve to be recognized for this huge achievement!

Eagle Scout courts of honor are fully developed celebrations recognizing Scouts who have attained Scouting’s highest rank.

The Scout is free to plan and conduct a court of honor after receiving confirmation of approval by the Scouting America National Advancement Committee.

Check out Eagle Scout Award Suggested Ceremonies Compiled by NESA.

A number of organizations and schools offer scholarships for Eagle Scouts. Because the available awards and application processes change often, Scouts are encouraged to conduct an internet search for scholarships.

LEARN MORE HERE!

There are a multitude of ways you can support future Eagle Scouts.

First, we recommend giving to the local Eagle Scout Scholarship fund. All proceeds go directly toward next year’s Eagle Scout Scholarship Award winners.

Next, check out the “Ways to Give” page so that you can better understand how you can support Scouting in your future. Imagine thousands of Scouts becoming an Eagle Scout just like you because of you!

Eagle Scout Application

Eagle Scout Award Suggested Ceremonies Compiled by NESA

Eagle Scout Project Resources

Eagle Scout Project Showcase

Eagle Scout Required Merit Badges

Eagle Scout Requirements

Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook

Eagle Store

Contact your District Advancement Committee

Glenn A. and Melinda W. Adams Service Project of the Year Award

Guide to Advancement, No. 33088 (PDF)

Merit Badges | Scouting America

NESA’s Eagle Project Idea Generator

New Eagles