Life to Eagle....
If you have achieved the rank of "LIFE" scout and are interested in learning about the PATH TO EAGLE, the following information is your guide to help you achieve the rank of Eagle.
EAGLE REQUIREMENTS:
Step 1: Be Familiar with our District’s Path to Eagle Website
Our District has published a web page highlighting the Path to Eagle: https://sites.google.com/view/piopicodistricttrailtoeagle/home
It is highly encouraged to read through the website as this is our District’s guidelines.
Step 2: Start an Eagle Binder
Start an Eagle binder. The Eagle Binder will be submitted to National and reviewed as part of your Eagle Candidacy. It should be a 3-ring binder and all pages should be in a protective sleeve and the Blue cards should be held in a plastic card holder (such as a 9 pocket page protector)
When completed, the Eagle Binder should contain the following and in this order:
Step 3: Contact your Troop’s Eagle Guides
Contact your Troop Eagle Guides via Email and request a meeting: ([email protected])
Bring the following items to the meeting:
Eagle Service Project:
At this stage, it is very important to know what qualifies as an Eagle Service Project and the purpose of doing a Project. An Eagle Service Project is a requirement for becoming an Eagle Scout. The purpose of an Eagle Service Project is to "Demonstrate Leadership".
Here are some more guidelines to keep in mind when deciding on a Project idea:
Search Eagle Projects on the Internet to inspire you to see what project you may want to do. Another good option is to identify potential beneficiaries that are meaningful to you and inquiring if they have projects that would be helpful to them.
Once you decide on a project, it is also advisable to find an Eagle Coach. An Eagle Coach is someone who knows your project and can help you with your project planning or execution. This person can be someone within or outside of our Troop.
Note: The difference between Eagle Guide and Eagle Coast is that the Eagle Guide helps you through the entire Eagle process and is there to help answer any questions related to your becoming an Eagle. The Eagle Coach mainly helps with your Eagle Project and provides guidance on how to execute the project successfully.
Step 4: Present your Eagle Project
When your Eagle Guides feel that the project planning is complete, they will approve that you are ready to present your Project to the Troop Committee for approval. The Troop Committee consists of Troop Leaders and Troop parents. They will listen to your presentation (usually 10-15 minutes) and ask questions. They may also make recommendations that you should make note of in the project planning documents, as needed.
For your presentation, use the Project Proposal as your template on what information to include. Some additional information to that would be helpful are:
The Committee presentation date should be requested by contacting the Troop Committee Chair ([email protected]) after you have obtained approval from the Eagle Guides. The Committee Chair will let you know which day you will be presenting. This will typically be the Monday before the monthly Committee meeting (which is the second Tuesday of every month).
Be sure to complete the Project Proposal section of the Eagle Project Workbook and obtain the Beneficiary’s approval prior to the Committee presentation.
At the committee presentation, be prepared to do the following:
Step 5: Signatures & Obtain Approval for Eagle Project
Step 6: Plan Project Execution and Execute Your Project
Continue to plan how your project is going to be executed to ensure that everything is addressed (e.g., Logistics, tools, equipment, food, weather etc.).
On the day of your project, be sure to:
Step 7: Post Project Execution Work
The first thing you need to do is to complete the Project Report section of the Eagle Project workbook (Project Report) and to double check that all sections of the Eagle Workbook are complete. Also check that you have all the required signatures for all sections (e.g., Beneficiary, Scoutmaster, Committee Chair, District) in your workbook.
Your Eagle Workbook should be ALL NICELY TYPED except for required signatures.
Step 8: Complete your Eagle Application
Review the process to complete your Eagle Application (https://sites.google.com/view/piopicodistricttrailtoeagle/eagle-application).
Understand what type of references are required and for the individuals you are requesting a reference letter from, prepare a pre-addressed envelope with postage attached (as a courtesy for their service) and be sure to include at the bottom left corner of the envelope “Re: Scout Name – T693 and include the Eagle Scout Candidate Reference Guide for them.
Step 9: Complete the Eagle Binder
Your completed Eagle Binder should now contain the following:
Contact the Eagle Guides to review your Eagle Binder for accuracy and completeness.
Step 10: Scoutmaster Conference
Once the Eagle Guides have approved your binder, do the following:
The Scoutmaster and Committee Chair will also review your binder and may also provide suggestions on changes.
Once you have received your sign-offs from the Scoutmaster and Committee Chair, you may contact the District Advancement Chair to submit your Eagle Binder.
Step 11: District Advancement Chair
Contact our District Advancement Chair (Brian Best - [email protected]) to schedule a meeting to drop off your Eagle Binder.
The District Advancement Chair will do an initial review of your binder and if there are no questions, then will submit the binder to National and schedule your Eagle Character Board.
Once a date is scheduled, you can contact the Eagle Guides to schedule a Mock Eagle Character Board. This is optional but can help prepare the Scout for the Eagle Character Board.
Step 12: Eagle Character Board
This will be the opportunity for the District to interview the Scout to see if the Scout is “Eagle” worthy. The Eagle Character Board will consist of multiple members and the following will occur:
The meeting typically takes about an hour.
Step 13: Eagle Court of Honor
If the Scout successfully passes the Eagle Character Board, they have achieved the Eagle Scout rank. Once the Scout has received the notification from the Council National Headquarter, a Scout can start to plan their Eagle Court of Honor. The following is the purpose of the Eagle Court of Honor:
EAGLE REQUIREMENTS:
- Merit Badges - 21 minimum: (14 Eagle + 7 Others)
- Leadership position: 6 months active while as a Life Scout
- Be active in the troop as a Life Scout: 6 months minimum
- Complete an Eagle Service Project
- Complete an Eagle Binder
- Pass the District Eagle Character Board
Step 1: Be Familiar with our District’s Path to Eagle Website
Our District has published a web page highlighting the Path to Eagle: https://sites.google.com/view/piopicodistricttrailtoeagle/home
It is highly encouraged to read through the website as this is our District’s guidelines.
Step 2: Start an Eagle Binder
Start an Eagle binder. The Eagle Binder will be submitted to National and reviewed as part of your Eagle Candidacy. It should be a 3-ring binder and all pages should be in a protective sleeve and the Blue cards should be held in a plastic card holder (such as a 9 pocket page protector)
When completed, the Eagle Binder should contain the following and in this order:
- Completed Eagle Scout Rank Application (signed by you, your Unit Leader and Unit Committee Chair)
- Statement of Ambitions and Life Purpose
- Leadership Positions held by you in and out of Scouting
- Declaration of Religious Belief signed by you and your parents IF YOU DO NOT have a Religious Leader for your Eagle Scout Rank Application reference (Requirement 2) that represents a formal religious institution
- Official Advancement Summary Report from Scoutbook
- Blue Cards (or documentation printed from Scoutbook if Blue Cards were not used or were lost).
- Completed Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook (including all signatures). Also include photos documenting the before, during, and completion of your project.
Step 3: Contact your Troop’s Eagle Guides
Contact your Troop Eagle Guides via Email and request a meeting: ([email protected])
Bring the following items to the meeting:
- Arrive in Full Class A uniform
- Bring Scout Handbook
- Eagle Project ideas that you may have. If you have already discussed with a beneficiary and have received their approval, bring as many details as possible, like project location, photographs, drawings, meeting notes with the beneficiary etc. Eagle Guides will ask you to explain the specific project or project ideas you may have. They will guide you and prompt you to think through the project idea to ensure you cover all aspects of the project planning. You can use the Project Proposal portion of the Eagle Application as a guideline.
Eagle Service Project:
At this stage, it is very important to know what qualifies as an Eagle Service Project and the purpose of doing a Project. An Eagle Service Project is a requirement for becoming an Eagle Scout. The purpose of an Eagle Service Project is to "Demonstrate Leadership".
Here are some more guidelines to keep in mind when deciding on a Project idea:
- The Project MUST benefit a community organization, other than Boy Scouts of America
- Your project MUST present an opportunity for planning, development, and leadership
- The Project may NOT benefit a commercial business
- The Project may NOT be a fundraiser
- The Project MUST be planned out and carried out by one scout and NOT as a joint project
- The Project MUST be planned ahead as depending on project type and it may take up to six months to complete
- The Project planning can be begun immediately after passing Life BOR. However, any Project execution should NOT begin until you have all approvals (i.e. Beneficiary, Troop Committee, District)
Search Eagle Projects on the Internet to inspire you to see what project you may want to do. Another good option is to identify potential beneficiaries that are meaningful to you and inquiring if they have projects that would be helpful to them.
Once you decide on a project, it is also advisable to find an Eagle Coach. An Eagle Coach is someone who knows your project and can help you with your project planning or execution. This person can be someone within or outside of our Troop.
Note: The difference between Eagle Guide and Eagle Coast is that the Eagle Guide helps you through the entire Eagle process and is there to help answer any questions related to your becoming an Eagle. The Eagle Coach mainly helps with your Eagle Project and provides guidance on how to execute the project successfully.
Step 4: Present your Eagle Project
When your Eagle Guides feel that the project planning is complete, they will approve that you are ready to present your Project to the Troop Committee for approval. The Troop Committee consists of Troop Leaders and Troop parents. They will listen to your presentation (usually 10-15 minutes) and ask questions. They may also make recommendations that you should make note of in the project planning documents, as needed.
For your presentation, use the Project Proposal as your template on what information to include. Some additional information to that would be helpful are:
- Material, Supplies, and Food costs
- Timeline for the day(s) of your project
- Closest Hospital
The Committee presentation date should be requested by contacting the Troop Committee Chair ([email protected]) after you have obtained approval from the Eagle Guides. The Committee Chair will let you know which day you will be presenting. This will typically be the Monday before the monthly Committee meeting (which is the second Tuesday of every month).
Be sure to complete the Project Proposal section of the Eagle Project Workbook and obtain the Beneficiary’s approval prior to the Committee presentation.
At the committee presentation, be prepared to do the following:
- Arrive on time (meaning arrive 5 minutes early)
- Arrive in full class A
- Introduce yourself (name, rank, age, grade)
- Be loud, clear and have command in your voice when presenting
- Bring your laptop with your presentation and any cables that may be needed (e.g., HDMI). If you do not have a laptop, email the presentation to the Committee Chair in advance. You are also welcome to come to test your laptop prior to your presentation.
- Present your project to the committee, where you cover all the bases: why, where, benefits, budget, plan (no. of hours needed and people needed), how you will do fundraising, tools needed, etc.
- Then open the floor to answer questions. (Do not get overwhelmed with questions, note the adults there are just to guide and help you, and refine your project)
- Bring a notepad to take notes and suggestions/recommendations
Step 5: Signatures & Obtain Approval for Eagle Project
- If Committee approves the project, request the signature of Committee Chair and Scoutmaster
- Connect with our District representative (Yogi Sankepally - [email protected]) to obtain District Approval
- After obtaining Beneficiary, Committee Chair, and District approval, contact the Eagle Guides to secure a date for your project
- After the date is secured, contact the Troop Webmaster ([email protected]) to add the date to the Troop Calendar. You are also able to start announcing your project and your fundraiser to the Troop ([email protected]) or handout flyers at Troop meetings at this time
- Complete the Project Plan portion of the Eagle Project Workbook
- NO PORTION OF YOUR PROJECT CAN START UNTIL YOU HAVE ALL APPROVALS. This includes troop announcements or fundraising.
Step 6: Plan Project Execution and Execute Your Project
Continue to plan how your project is going to be executed to ensure that everything is addressed (e.g., Logistics, tools, equipment, food, weather etc.).
On the day of your project, be sure to:
- Take before, during, and after pictures as you will use this in your Eagle Binder
- Keep a Sign-in and Sign-out sheet
- Make sure you have a permission slip from every scout that is present for helping with the project
- Have your Eagle Binder there along with the completed Eagle Project Plan and your presentation
Step 7: Post Project Execution Work
The first thing you need to do is to complete the Project Report section of the Eagle Project workbook (Project Report) and to double check that all sections of the Eagle Workbook are complete. Also check that you have all the required signatures for all sections (e.g., Beneficiary, Scoutmaster, Committee Chair, District) in your workbook.
Your Eagle Workbook should be ALL NICELY TYPED except for required signatures.
Step 8: Complete your Eagle Application
Review the process to complete your Eagle Application (https://sites.google.com/view/piopicodistricttrailtoeagle/eagle-application).
Understand what type of references are required and for the individuals you are requesting a reference letter from, prepare a pre-addressed envelope with postage attached (as a courtesy for their service) and be sure to include at the bottom left corner of the envelope “Re: Scout Name – T693 and include the Eagle Scout Candidate Reference Guide for them.
Step 9: Complete the Eagle Binder
Your completed Eagle Binder should now contain the following:
- Completed Eagle Scout Rank Application
- Statement of Ambitions and Life Purpose
- Leadership Positions held by you in and out of Scouting
- Declaration of religious beliefs signed by you and your parents IF YOU DO NOT have a Religious Leader for your Eagle Scout Rank Application reference (Requirement 2) that represents a formal religious institution
- Official Advancement Summary Report from Scoutbook
- Blue Cards (or documentation printed from Scoutbook if Blue Cards were not used or were lost).
- Completed Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook (including all signatures). Also include photos documenting the before, during, and completion of your project
Contact the Eagle Guides to review your Eagle Binder for accuracy and completeness.
Step 10: Scoutmaster Conference
Once the Eagle Guides have approved your binder, do the following:
- Schedule your Eagle Scoutmaster Conference with the Scoutmaster
- Contact the Committee Chair to get their sign-off on the Eagle Application
- Give the Reference letters to the individuals who will be providing you with your references
The Scoutmaster and Committee Chair will also review your binder and may also provide suggestions on changes.
Once you have received your sign-offs from the Scoutmaster and Committee Chair, you may contact the District Advancement Chair to submit your Eagle Binder.
Step 11: District Advancement Chair
Contact our District Advancement Chair (Brian Best - [email protected]) to schedule a meeting to drop off your Eagle Binder.
The District Advancement Chair will do an initial review of your binder and if there are no questions, then will submit the binder to National and schedule your Eagle Character Board.
Once a date is scheduled, you can contact the Eagle Guides to schedule a Mock Eagle Character Board. This is optional but can help prepare the Scout for the Eagle Character Board.
Step 12: Eagle Character Board
This will be the opportunity for the District to interview the Scout to see if the Scout is “Eagle” worthy. The Eagle Character Board will consist of multiple members and the following will occur:
- Scout introduces themselves
- Scout will lead the opening flag ceremony
- Board will interview the Scout
The meeting typically takes about an hour.
Step 13: Eagle Court of Honor
If the Scout successfully passes the Eagle Character Board, they have achieved the Eagle Scout rank. Once the Scout has received the notification from the Council National Headquarter, a Scout can start to plan their Eagle Court of Honor. The following is the purpose of the Eagle Court of Honor:
- To honor the Eagle Candidate
- To charge the Eagle Candidate with his new responsibilities as an Eagle Scout
- To encourage young boys/girls to join a Scout troop
- To inspire other Scouts to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout