Confirm that the following requirements have been completed before the 18th birthday: active participation, Scout spirit, merit badges, position of responsibility, service project, and unit leader conference. Note that the unit leader (Scoutmaster) conference need not be the last item accomplished. The board of review may be conducted after the 18th birthday. For details, see “Boards of Review,” 8.0.0.0. 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.
Prepare the Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook
The most current workbook must be used. It can be found at www.scouting.org/advancement. The workbook shows the project proposal was approved ahead of time, and then properly accepted by all parties when finished. Ideally, it will be a proud reminder of a significant accomplishment. See “Use the Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook,” 9.0.2.8.
Complete the Application
The Scout must complete the official Eagle Scout Rank Application. No other form or application method is permitted. The application can be found at www.scouting.org/advancement. It can also be printed and completed by hand. Careful review and thorough proofreading will help prevent delays. Remember, everything is verified by the local council; discrepancies and errors will lead to a form’s return. Unnecessary delays can be avoided by working with the unit advancement coordinator and obtaining the Scout’s personal history profile from the council office.
Eagle Extensions
Local councils have the authority to grant limited extensions of time to complete Eagle requirements. These are available only to youth who qualify according to the three tests listed in “Time Extensions,” 9.0.4.0 Time Extensions. A Scout, his or her parent or guardian, unit leader, or members of the unit committee may file such requests. The council advancement committee must research and evaluate requests and recommend decisions to the Scout executive.
Councils have the authority to grant Scouts only enough time to complete the requirements, but not more than a total of six months after the 18th birthday. Under most circumstances, however, three to four months has proven sufficient. If a council denies a request or the Scout needs more than six months, an appeal process is discussed in “Appealing a Time Extension Denial,” 9.0.4.2.
Submit Extension forms to the Council Advancement Chair, Arthur Hsu at a_hsu@sbcglobal.net.
The Highest Honor
Being an Eagle Scout has always carried with it a special significance, not only in Scouting but also as a boy or girl enters higher education, business or industry, and community service. The award is a performance-based achievement whose standards have been well-maintained over the years. Not every boy who joins a Scouts BSA troop earns the Eagle Scout rank; only about 5 percent of all Scouts do so.
This represents more than 2 million Scouts who have earned the rank since 1912. Nevertheless, the goals of Scouting—citizenship training, character development, and personal fitness—remain important for all Scouts, whether or not they attain the Eagle Scout rank.
To earn the Eagle Scout rank, the highest advancement rank in Scouting, a Scout must fulfill requirements in the areas of leadership, service, and outdoor skills. Although many options are available to demonstrate proficiency in these areas, a number of specific skills are required to advance through the ranks—Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, and Eagle. To advance, a Boy Scout must pass specific tests that are organized by requirements and merit badges.
Eagle Scout Rank
To earn the rank, a Scout must progress through the ranks in the following order:
Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life and Eagle
They must earn 21 merit badges, including:
Camping, Citizenship in the Community, Citizenship in the Nation, Citizenship in the World, Communications, Cooking, Cycling or Hiking, or Swimming, Emergency Preparedness or Lifesaving, Environmental Science or Sustainability, Family Life, First Aid, Personal Fitness, and Personal Management
Scouts must also:
- Serve six months in a troop leadership position.
- Plan, develop, and give leadership to a service project for any religious organization or any school or community.
- Take part in a Scoutmaster conference.
- Successfully complete an Eagle Scout board of review.
Scouts with disabilities may qualify for the Eagle Scout rank by fulfilling alternative requirements as determined by the council.
Service Project Fundraising Application
The Eagle Scout Service Project Fundraising Application (page 17 of the Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook) must be used by Scouts to obtain approval for Eagle Scout project fundraising or securing donations of materials for their Eagle projects. This is necessary in all circumstances except when all contributions are from the candidate, his parents or relatives, unit or chartering organization, parents or other members of his unit, or the beneficiary of the project. Scouts should submit the fillable form to the council for consideration. The Scout should also print a copy and include it with the project plan. Within two business days, the Scout will receive an email response either seeking additional information or providing project funding approval. When approved, a copy of the approval email is to be included with the fundraising application as a part of the Scout's project plan.
Submit fundraising applications via email to your District Executive
Project must be approved in advance
Project must be done in the name of the beneficiary (not the troop).
Beneficiary organization retains leftover funds.
If the troop is holding project funds, these funds must be turned over to the project beneficiary immediately after expenses have been paid.
Gift documentation must come from the project beneficiary
Realize that approaches to big box stores will be met with a request for a tax letter, which you may or may not be able to secure from your project beneficiary.
Parents should let their Scout provide leadership and resist the temptation of raising funds or using their influence.
A Scout is courteous – and should follow up with a note of thanks
Eagle Scout Project Ideas
Alvin/Manvel Community Food Pantry, 1212 S. Durant St, Alvin, TX 77511. For a list of projects, contact Tammy Lewis at tamrobhokie@gmail.com.
Pearland Parks & Recreation - This is a list of Eagle Projects for Northern Star Eagle Scouts looking to help enhance the Pearland Community Parks and Recreational Spaces.
Vic Coppinger YMCA: The Vic Coppinger YMCA in Pearland has projects that would be great for Eagle Scouts. A few ideas: Drip irrigation for their garden, picnic benches for sports area. Contact Suzanne Murray at 281-485-6805.
My Project Finder - This is from Dave Harkins, who works for the BSA’s National Supply Group. He created a website to help boys and girls come up with ideas for Eagle Scout or Venturing Gold Award projects. The site, which was one of Dave’s Wood Badge ticket items, is a “decision tree” that lets users answer two or three simple questions about their interests and passions. Once they do that, the site suggests several potential project ideas...and it's free!
Try this PDF from Meritbadge.org for 100 more concepts from which projects can be developed.
Important reminders:
Be sure to have your Scouts consult the Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook before getting too far along. Pay special attention to the “restrictions” section (Page 4), which details certain projects that aren’t acceptable — such as fundraisers, projects that only benefit the BSA, or routine labor.
Additionally, Life Scouts now must receive approval on their Project Proposal (pages 7-10 of the workbook) before beginning further planning. This new requirement prevents Scouts from doing too much work on a project that is ultimately rejected.
Eagle Congratulatory Letters
The U.S. Scouting Service Project recommends including the Scout’s full name, troop number, council, and a short description of his Eagle Scout service project. For best results, address it to a specific person, not an organization. Including a self-addressed stamped envelope makes it that much easier to get a response.
Whom to ask for letters:
- City and county officials: Your mayor, city council officials, school board president, superintendent, parks and recreation director
- Religious leaders
- State officials: The governor, your area’s state legislators
- Business leaders: CEOs and executives at major corporations based in your city
- U.S. officials: The president, cabinet members, senators, representatives, military leaders, department heads
- Past presidents or elected officials no longer in office
- Prominent national people: astronauts, athletes, filmmakers, actors, and famous Eagle Scouts like Mike Rowe or Steven Spielberg
- Anyone who means something to your Eagle Scout: Get creative! Does he have a favorite author, athlete, musician, or actor? Try to track down that person’s contact information. The letter may go unanswered, but it only costs you 49 cents to try.
Where to find addresses:
For addresses, find the appropriate website and look for the “Contact Us” link — usually at the top of the page or at the very bottom. Some entities, such as NASA or the U.S. Army, allow you to submit request online.
Follow the National Eagle Scout Association on Facebook.
Sons of the American Revolution, Cradle of Texas, Chapter 33. Ages range from 3rd - 12th grade and Eagle Scouts. Download the Scholarship Details here. Also, as a reminder, Sons of the American Revolution, Cradle of Texas Chapter 33 stand ready to participate in your Eagle Scout Court of Honor. They can present a Certificate of Achievement to each new Eagle Scout. For more information, contact:
Rodney Weems Chairman & Community Outreach/Education Committee Cradle of Texas, Chapter 33 Sons of the American Revolution rodneyweems@yahoo.com http://www.cradletxsar.orgEagle Board of Review
Congratulations to all the Scouts who are achieving the highest rank of Eagle. Eagle Board of Reviews and Eagle Project approvals are scheduled by appointment only. Scouts, please schedule your appointment one month prior. Do not try to schedule days before.
Coastal District
Project Reviews (By appointment only) - 6:30 p.m., First Thursday of the Month (In conjunction with Coastal District Roundtable. There will be a second opportunity, by appointment only, for project reviews the second Wednesday of every month at 6 PM prior to the Eagle BOR's.)
Eagle Boards - 6:30 p.m., Second Wednesday of the Month
Please plan accordingly to avoid unnecessary delays!
LOCATION: First Methodist Church - 200 FM517 Road West - Dickinson, Texas 77539
The Bay Area Council Fellowship of Eagle Scouts is a fellowship of Eagle Scout Alumni who reside or work within the boundaries of the Bay Area Council, or individuals who achieved the rank of Eagle Scout from a Unit within the Bay Area Council. Membership is open to all Eagle Scouts in this area. There is no charge to join or maintain membership. Find out more here.
National Eagle Scout Association
Founded in 1972, the National Eagle Scout Association maintains contact with Eagle Scouts to sustain their interest in Scouting. Eagle Scouts in good standing may join. Applications for membership are available through the Bay Area Council office. Be sure to register and keep your profile updated with NESA, click here.
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