GUIDELINES & HELPFUL HINTS FOR UNIT LEADERS

Transcription

1 GUIDELINES & HELPFUL HINTS FOR UNIT LEADERS LIFE to EAGLE GUIDEBOOK Prepared by the Cache La Poudre District Eagle Advancement Committee Longs Peak Council Boy Scouts of America March 2015 This is an unofficial publication. It is intended to supplement official information published by the Boy Scouts of America. Any conflict between information in this and in official publications of the Boy Scouts of America should be resolved in favor of the official publications.

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3 Preface This booklet is designed specifically to provide supplementary guidance and helpful hints to unit leaders (Scoutmasters, Coaches, Advisors, Skippers, unit Advancement Chairs, unit Life to Eagle Advisors, and Project Coaches) working with Life Scouts on the trail to Eagle. While the Eagle Scout Candidate s Guidebook, intended for use by the Eagle Candidate, focuses on the specifics of carrying out the Eagle Scout service project and board of review, this document provides an overview and additional details of all the steps from Life Scout to Eagle Scout to include some thoughts on the Eagle Scout Court of Honor. Both Scouts and adult leaders are invited to offer suggestions for improving these guidelines. Please contact the Cache La Poudre District Eagle Advancement Committee Chairperson. This document has been paginated so that it can be printed on both sides of paper in book form with even numbered pages on the left side and odd numbered pages on the right side. Page i

4 Summary of Changes from Previous Revision Section / Page Number Section 1 / page 2 Section 1 / page 4 Section 7 Section 7 / page 21 Section 7 / page 25 Summary of Change Updated wording for advancement requirements #6 & #7 to be consistent with 2014 version of the Eagle Scout Rank Application Updated Life to Eagle process chart Links updated Updated Letters of Recommendation Requirements Updated Eagle Scout Board of Review Procedures Page ii

5 Table of Contents Preface... i Summary of Changes from Previous Revision...ii Table of Contents... iii Section 1 Introduction... 1 Section 2 The Eagle Scout Service Project... 5 Examples of Past Eagle Projects... 7 Section 3 Other Requirements for Eagle Scout Rank... 9 Section 4 The Eagle Scout Rank Application Section 5 The Eagle Scout Rank Board of Review Letters of Recommendation Scheduling the Eagle Board of Review Eagle Board of Review Procedures Disputed Circumstances & Appeals Section 6 Eagle Scout Court of Honor Section 7 Other Resources and References General Information Eagle Projects Eagle Award Ceremonies Scholarships for Eagles Forms and Guides Letters of Recommendation Requirements Guidelines for Eagle Letters of Recommendation Eagle Scout Board of Review Procedures Sample Questions for Eagle Board of Review Page iii

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7 Section 1 Introduction The Eagle Scout Rank advancement process is notably different than the other rank advancement levels. Therefore, it is highly recommended that each unit identify an adult leader to serve as a Life to Eagle Advisor. The Life to Eagle Advisor should be thoroughly familiar with the individual Eagle Scout Rank advancement requirements, the requirements and expectations for the Eagle Scout Service Projects, and the Eagle Scout Rank Application and the processing of the application. Both the Eagle Scout Service Project and the completion of the Eagle Scout Rank Application provide unit leaders with significant and lasting teaching opportunities. The new Guide to Advancement highly recommends the use of Project Coaches to advise, review, and mentor Eagle Scout candidates in the development of their service project and service project workbook. [see Guide to Advancement, section ] The project coach could be the Life to Eagle Advisor or another adult leader. There are 7 requirements for the rank of Eagle Scout. The first 6 requirements for the rank must be completed PRIOR to the Scout s 18 th birthday! The seventh requirement, the Eagle Board of Review, may be conducted up to 3 months after the Scout s 18 th birthday birthday. Any delay past the 3 months must be because of extenuating circumstances and be explained in writing to Council/National who will determine if an extension is warranted. The requirements for Eagle Rank are: Requirement 1: Be active in your troop, team, crew, or ship for a period of at least six months after you have achieved the rank of Life Scout (the date of your Life Board of Review). Requirement 2: Demonstrate that you live by the principles of the Scout Oath and Law in your daily life, as evidenced by character recommendations. Requirement 3: Earn a total of 21 merit badges (13 required and 8 elective). Requirement 4: Serve actively for a period of six months in one or more positions of responsibility in your unit after achieving Life Scout Rank. (Specific eligible positions of responsibility are listed on the Eagle Scout Rank application.) Page 1

8 Requirement 5: 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. (The project must benefit an organization other than Boy Scouting.) A project proposal must be approved by the organization benefiting from the effort, your unit leader and unit committee, and the council or district before you start. You must use the Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook, No , in meeting this requirement. Requirement 6: Take part in a Scoutmaster conference with your unit leader. Requirement 7: Successfully complete an Eagle Scout Board of Review. In preparation for your board of review, prepare and attach to your Eagle Scout Rank Application a statement of your ambitions and life purpose and a listing of positions held in your religious institution, school, camp, community, or other organizations during which you demonstrated leadership skills. Include honors and awards received during this service. The figure on page 4 shows the process for completing the requirements to earn Eagle Scout Rank. You can see that it basically is a three-track process. Once a Scout has successfully completed the Life Scout Board of Review, he may begin work on any or all of the tracks, including the Eagle Scout Service Project. Therefore, it is possible to complete all requirements for Eagle Scout in just six months from the date of the Life Scout Board of Review. (NOTE: if there are less than six months from the date of the Life Scout Board of Review until the Scout s 18 th birthday, he is not eligible for Eagle Scout Rank!) More specific hints and guidelines are discussed in the sections following. Section 2 specifically addresses the Eagle Scout Service Project; however, you should refer the Scout to the District s Eagle Scout Candidate s Guidebook for specific guidance in the planning and execution of his service project, the completion of his Eagle Scout Rank Application, and his Eagle Board of Review. Section 3 discusses the other five requirements. Section 4 addresses the completion of the Eagle Scout Rank Application. Section 5 addresses the steps to be followed prior to the Board of Review. It also describes responsibilities of the unit s adult leadership. Should the Board of Review not pass an Eagle Scout candidate, the appeal process is described. Section 6 includes some comments on the Eagle Courts of Honor. Section 7 includes other resources and references. Page 2

9 All of the requirements 1 through 6 must be completed before the Scout reaches his 18 th birthday! If you foresee that a Scout will be unable to complete the requirements for the Eagle rank prior to his 18 th birthday due to no fault or choice of his own, the Scout may apply for a limited time extension. The request must be made in writing with the National Boy Scout Committee through the Cache La Poudre District and the Longs Peak Council. The request must show sufficient evidence and detail the extenuating circumstances that prevent him from completing the requirements prior to his 18 th birthday. Extenuating circumstances are defined as conditions or situations that are totally beyond the control of the Scout! See the Guide to Advancement section for information and guidance. A Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, or male Venturer with a disability may earn the Eagle Scout Rank and may continue working toward rank advancement after he is 18 years old. If a Scout has a permanent physical or mental disability, the unit leader and the Scout s parents should contact the District Advancement Committee Chairperson early in the process to discuss the situation and the procedures that are applicable. Page 3

10 LIFE SCOUT BOARD OF REVIEW MORE THAN 6 MONTH TO 18 TH BIRTHDAY NO NOT ELIGIBLE FOR EAGLE SCOUT RANK YES POSITION OF RESPONSIBILITY SERVICE PROJECT COMPLETE MERIT BADGES DEVELOP PROPOSAL, GET UNIT & BENEFITING ORGANIZATION APPROVALS NO DISTRICT APPROVAL YES NO 6 MONTHS YES EXECUTE PROJECT COMPLETE PROJECT WORKBOOK 13 REQUIRED 8 ELECTIVE YES NO COMPLETE EAGLE SCOUT RANK APPLICATION UNIT LEADER CONFERENCE UNIT LEADER & COMMITTEE APPROVAL OF APPLICATION EVERYTHING ABOVE THIS LINE MUST BE COMPLETED BEFORE THE 18 TH BIRTHDAY WRITE STATEMENT OF LIFE PURPOSE & SUBMIT APPLICATION TO COUNCIL BOARD OF REVIEW FAIL: APPEAL PASS: EAGLE COURT OF HONOR Page 4

11 Section 2 The Eagle Scout Service Project The service project not only provides a Scout the opportunity to practice and hone his leadership skills but an opportunity to learn how to expand a broad statement of a project description into an executable statement of the work that includes the defining of the goals of the project, the development of a project proposal and detailed final plan, and detailed coordination with adults in other organizations and businesses. The project proposal and detailed final plan should include a statement of the tasks required to complete each task and the project, an estimate of the time required to complete the project, a schedule, a list materials and resources (e.g., supplies, people, tools) required and where/how they will obtained, a cost estimate, and a safety plan per the Guide to Safe Scouting. The development of a project proposal and detailed final plan, as well as the final project report, provides significant teaching opportunities for unit leaders. The unit should provide each Eagle Scout candidate with a copy of the Eagle Scout Candidate s Guidebook and strongly encourage the use of the Guidebook. The Guidebook provides the Scout specifics on the process, steps involved, and information required in the planning, organization, and completion of an Eagle Scout Service Project, the Eagle Scout Rank Application, and the Eagle Scout Board of Review. The project MUST be of REAL VALUE benefiting the environment, the community, or a religious group, school, or other worthy group (e.g., IRS 501(c)(3) qualified, worthy community institution). Routine labor is not normally appropriate for a project. [see Guide to Advancement, section ] It cannot: Be a job or service normally rendered as routine labor; Be performed for a business or individual; Be of a commercial nature; Be a fund-raiser (although fund-raising is permitted for securing materials or supplies needed to carry out your project); Be shared by any other Scout as an Eagle project; Be of benefit to your Scout unit, the Longs Peak Council, or any other BSA activity. The workbook documentation should be clear as to: Who will benefit from the project and how they will benefit What the goals of the project are and how success will be measured What tasks need to be accomplished to complete the project successfully What the schedule is for planning and executing the project, and how long it will take How many people will be recruited to help carry out the project and where will they recruit them, and if people with specific skills or experience are needed Page 5

12 What resources, materials, supplies, tools, and permits are required to accomplish the project, and how and where they will be obtained How leadership will be provided What is the estimated cost of the project and how will funds be obtained to cover the cost of the project What project phases (e.g., tasks) need to be accomplished to complete the project successfully How many total service hours (estimated) are required to fulfill this project What is the time schedule for carrying out the project How the project logistics will be managed How will the safety of those carrying out the project be ensured The unit leadership should ensure all the project proposal aspects of the project are developed and documented in the Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook before approving the project. Upon obtaining all the necessary approvals and signatures, the Scout can begin developing the detailed final plan. The latest version of the Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook, BSA Number , must be used to document the service project and contain all the required signatures. Either download a copy or use the fill-in & save pdf version (recommended) available from either the Longs Peak Council web site ( or from the National Council web site ( The Guide to Safe Scouting should be a resource used for determining what activities/tasks are appropriate for youth versus adults. There are no specific requirements about the type of project or how big a project is required [see Guide to Advancement section ]. However, the District Eagle Advancement Committee does have several concerns about the types of projects to be accomplished as Eagle Scout Service Projects. First, the project effort should be appropriate to a youth project. Proposed construction of large sheds or garages will be carefully reviewed by the District as perhaps being beyond scope of an Eagle project. Second, safety will always be examined in approving projects. If a proposed project is to construct a large bridge for a park, especially one that will be used by motorized vehicles of any size, a structural engineer must review the plans to make certain the design is safe. Such a project also is questionable as to be out of scope for a youth project. Third, projects to conduct a collection drive, such as for clothing or eyeglasses, or any other type of collection drive should be tied to a goal to be achieved, such as XX pounds of clothes, or YY items of whatever is to be collected. These metrics should be discussed with and agreed upon by the benefiting organization. The Scout should be able to discuss the method used to determine the metric and goals established, and have a back-up plan to achieve the goal in case the initial effort falls short of the established metrics/goal. Satisfactory completion of such a project may require repeated collection drives until the agreed upon metric is achieved. [see Guide to Advancement section ] Page 6

13 There should be minimal out of pocket expenses by anyone associated with these projects. If the materials are not to be provided by the benefiting organization, unit leadership should provide guidance and approval to contact merchants for donation of needed materials. Or, the Scout can organize a fundraiser to pay for the project s materials. An Eagle Scout Service Project Fundraising Application must be complete and approved by the beneficiary, unit leader, and the Council/District except for contributions from the candidate, his parents or relatives, his unit or its chartered organization parents or members of his unit, or the beneficiary. These provide opportunities for the Scout to exercise and demonstrate leadership. After the Scout has completed the project proposal and documented it in the project workbook, approvals should be obtained. Approval and signatures from each of the following are required BEFORE the Scout can start work on the project: The benefiting organization (approval and signature). Unit leader (Scoutmaster, Team Coach, Crew Advisor, Skipper) (approval and signature). Unit committee (approval and signature). A member of the Cache La Poudre District Eagle Advancement Committee (approval and signature). This signature must be last in order. The project MAY NOT begin prior to approval by this representative! If a significant change to a project is necessary after the project is approved, a revised proposal must be submitted for approval through the District Eagle Advancement Committee representative. What constitutes a significant change is hard to define. If in doubt, contact the District representative who signed the original project proposal for a definitive answer. When meeting with the District Eagle Advancement Committee, the Scout should wear his full scout uniform. Upon completion of the project, the Scout must complete the Project Report section of his project workbook (an after-action report) on the project and address how he demonstrated leadership and directed others. Once a Scout has completed his project and completed the project report for the workbook, he must obtain final approval and signatures of completion from the benefiting organization and the unit leader. Examples of Past Eagle Projects Voting Booths: I made three voting booths for our town hall in Topsham, Vermont. One of them was a booth for handicapped voters. Youth Protection and Identification Program: I provided parents and children with information to prevent abductions. I also provided a place for parents to fingerprint and video tape their child in case they ever need to file a missing child report. Page 7

14 Community Bicycle Registration: The number of bicycle thefts in our area was rising, so I worked with the Police to develop a card file where people could register their bikes. For three Saturdays we put on a bike safety and registration fair. Built a Playground: There is a home for orphans in our neighborhood. I organized a construction project and built a playground in their backyard for the kids. Pond Clean Up: My town has a neat park where the kids play in the ponds. The ponds were really dirty and had a lot of garbage in them, so I arranged a pond cleanup project. We hauled all of the trash out and planted grass and bushes to stop the erosion. Tiger Shelter at Wildlife Preserve: The tiger shelters at a local animal preserve were falling apart, so I organized a project to rebuild the shelters over the cages! Picnic Tables for Park: We built new picnic tables for the park's pavilions. Leadership Training Program: My school district has a neat leadership-training program, so I helped them organize and train the staff members for a weeklong retreat for the 6th graders. Bicycle Racks for Baseball Complex: The grass was torn up at our baseball diamond because kids kept dumping their bikes on the ground. I got a construction company to donate the materials, and built a cement bike rack on the edge of the field. Restore Storage Shed at Neighborhood Park: The shed at our neighborhood park had been ignored for a long time. I got our troop and neighborhood together to repair it. Cemetery Directory: I catalogued all of the gravestones in our city cemetery. Then I worked with the troop to put together a cemetery kiosk where visitors could look at a large map and find the graves they wanted to visit. Repainted Bleachers: Our baseball park was in pretty sad shape, so my project was to strip the old paint away and then repaint four sets of bleachers and the four-team dugouts. Toy Drive: For Christmas, I organized a toy drive with a thrift store in town. All the toys were donated to foster homes and orphanages. Flag Pole: Our school's flagpole was really old, so I got a company to donate the cement and pole for a new one. My troop helped put it in. Cut Down Trees for Firewood: There was an old orchard in my neighborhood. I organized my troop to go and cut down the dead trees, and we delivered the wood to widows for firewood. Flood Sand Bags: In spring the river near our town flooded. I organized groups to fill sand bags to protect the buildings along the river. Area Trail Maintenance: A public trail was in need of some improvements so I put in two grade-level steps to prevent erosion. I also cleaned the trail and leveled it in places. Collected and repaired used toys: The toys were given to a home for children with disabilities. Prepared plans for a footbridge on a trail in a national forest: Worked with rangers to learn the skills necessary to build the structure, gathered materials and tools, and then directed a Scout work group to do the construction. Page 8

15 Section 3 Other Requirements for Eagle Scout Rank The other two tracks on the Eagle Trail described in the process chart in Section 1 are equally important as is the Leadership Service Project. Term of Service (Requirement 1). Serve at least 6 months active membership in a unit since the date you passed your Life Scout Board of Review. [For the definition of Active refer to the Guide to Advancement, section There may be reasons why a Scout must drop out of a unit, such as moving from one locality to another. The time dropped does not counted as part of the 6 months. Count the time spent in grade as a Life Scout before the Scout had to drop and continue counting from the time he re-registers and resumes Scouting. ( Unit means Troop, Team, Crew, or Ship and service term may include membership in a combination of unit types.)] Demonstrate Scout Spirit (Requirement 2). Demonstration Scout Spirit by living the Scout Oath and Scout Law in your daily. [see Guide to Advancement section In addition to demonstration Scout Spirit during unit activities, this is attested to by references listed by the Scout on his Eagle Scout Rank Application and by letters of recommendation written to the District Eagle Advancement Representative for the Eagle Board of Review. Note: if the Scout does not have a religious leader, his parents or legal guardians names must be inserted in the row for a Religious reference on the Eagle Scout Rank Application, in addition to the row above it.] Merit Badges (Requirement 3). Earned a total of the 21 merit badges. [This is 10 more than earned to achieve the rank of Life Scout for a total of 11 Eagle required and 10 elective. If a Scout is 17 years of age, he needs to start all merit badges in time to complete them before he turn 18! Remember, some merit badges have terms of completion from 84 to 91 days.] Position of Responsibility (Requirement 4). Serve actively for a period of 6 months in one or more positions of responsibility within your unit after achieving Life Scout Rank. [These positions for all types of Scout units are listed on the second page of the Eagle Scout Rank Application.] Unit Leader Conference (Requirement 6). Take part in a unit leader conference (Scoutmaster, Team Coach, Crew Advisor, Skipper). Statement of Ambitions and Life Purpose (part of Requirement 7). In preparation for your board of review, prepare and attach to your Eagle Scout Rank Application a statement of your ambitions and life purpose and a listing of positions held in your religious institution, school, camp, community, or other organizations during which you demonstrated leadership skills. Include honors and awards received during this service. Page 9

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17 Section 4 The Eagle Scout Rank Application The completion of the Eagle Scout Rank Application provides the opportunity for the Scout to present himself on paper much like he will with a job application. The Scout should understand that like a job application, the rank application represents him in his absences and that people will draw conclusions and/or impressions from the rank application. The completion of the rank application is another teaching opportunity for unit leaders. The Scout can start working on his rank application any time after his Life board of review. In fact, it is a good idea to be working on the rank application while he is working to complete the advancement requirement and not waiting until the last minute. The current version of the Eagle Scout Rank Application (form number ) must be used. Recommend the Scout use the pdf fill-in & save version of the application. The form can be downloaded from the Longs Peak Council web site ( or from the National Council web site ( Printing it in color is highly recommended and it should be printed on both sides of one sheet of paper. Following are guidelines to observe while completing the application: 1. Type all information using the fill-in & save version (recommended) or print in ink if using a hardcopy. If printed, use block characters and make sure each letter is legible and distinct. 2. All dates must show month, day, and year. For example, the date July 8, 2003 should be inserted as 07 (for July), 08 (for day), and 03 (for year). 3. Use full (this is the name that will be on your Eagle certificate). 4. Fill out address completely. Only the state may be abbreviated. Make sure the unit type (Troop, Team, Crew, or Ship) and number is clearly identified. 5. The dates requested are very important. The Council Headquarters will check the application against records the unit submitted to Council Headquarters. The following are sources for completing the top part of your application: Unit computerized records (such as TroopMaster) Membership cards Transfer records from a previous unit Advancement Reports (BSA form #34403A) Internet Advancement report or from Council office 6. In completing Requirement 2, list of references, there must be an entry for each line. If the Scout has no formal religious leader, this entry should be the parent(s) or guardian(s). Page 11

18 If the Scout does not have an employer reference, enter N/A in this line for not applicable. 7. In Requirement 3, list of merit badges, enter the dates as shown on either the unit s computerized records or on the Scout s merit badge blue card as the completion date. For badges 7, 8, and 10 cross out inapplicable badges so that the badge being claimed is clearly shown. The consistency of dates for merit badge completion is a common problem for Eagle Scout Rank applications. In addition to the sources stated in item 5 above, valid sources are: Blue merit badge application cards signed by the merit badge counselor. The date a merit badge is earned is the date the Merit Badge Counselor signs the blue merit badge card. Rank requirements signed in the Scout s Boy Scout Handbook Internet Advancement report or from Council office 8. After completion of Requirement 6 which includes a Scoutmaster conference, a written statement of ambitions and life purpose, and a listing of positions held in a religious institution, school, camp, community, or other organizations during which the Scout demonstrated leadership skills. The Scout must certify correctness of the application by signing the appropriate blank on the second page. 9. Unit approval, signatures from the unit leader and the unit committee chair. 10. The completed application is then submitted to Council Headquarters for certification. The completed application along with the statement of ambitions and life purpose and other information can be either mailed or taken to the Council office in Greeley or taken to the Scout Store in Loveland. The mailing address for the Council office is: Longs Peak Council Boy Scouts of America P.O. Box 1166 Greeley, CO While the Eagle Scout Rank Application does not have to be submitted to Council before the Scout s 18 th birthday, all the requirements do have to be met and signatures obtained prior to his 18 th birthday, and it must be submitted to council promptly. 11. Once the application is certified, it will be mailed to the District Eagle Advancement Chair. Page 12

19 Section 5 The Eagle Scout Rank Board of Review The Eagle Scout candidate with the assistance of the unit committee is responsible for preparing for and scheduling the Board of Review. There are two basic steps: 1) soliciting letters of recommendation attesting to the Scout s adherence to the Scout Oath and Law in his everyday life, and 2) scheduling, recruiting board members, and arranging the Eagle Board of Review. [see Guide to Advancement section ] Letters of Recommendation A minimum of four (4) letters of recommendation are required for the Board of Review one from the candidate s parents or legal guardian, and three (3) from non-relatives. See Section 7, Letters of Recommendation Requirements and Guidelines for Eagle Letters of Recommendation, for specific guidelines on who can write the letters and on the focus for the letters. Letters of recommendation are usually requested from the individuals listed in Requirement 2 on the Eagle Scout Rank Application. The candidate should have contacted those individuals and requested permission before including their names on the application. The references should mail their letter of recommendation to the District Eagle Advancement representative. Once the Council certified application and the minimum number letters of recommendation are received by the District Eagle Advancement representative, the candidate will be notified and authorized to begin scheduling, recruiting board members, and arranging his Eagle Board of Review. Scheduling the Eagle Board of Review The Eagle Board of Review may be conducted up to three months after the Scout s 18 th birthday. If a Scout cannot schedule his Board of Review within the first three months after his 18 th birthday, the timeframe may be extended with permission from Council for another three months (for a total of six months after his 18 th birthday). To do this a statement from an adult leader (unit leader or unit committee chairperson) requesting an extension and explaining the reason for the delay must be attached to the Eagle Scout Rank Application and sent to the Longs Peak Council through the District Advancement Committee. An example of a satisfactory reason would be due to the candidate going off to college and who could not return home until the end of the semester. Upon Council approval, a Board of Review may be conducted up to six months after the 18 th birthday. After six months have passed since a Scout s 18 th birthday, a Board of Review may not be conducted until after the Scout has petitioned the National Boy Scout Committee in Irving, Texas, for an extension of time. The petition must be accompanied with a copy of the Eagle Scout Rank Application. All petitions must be through the District Advancement Committee and the Longs Peak Council. If the National Boy Scout Committee approves the petition, a Board of Review must be conducted promptly. Approvals are not automatic! Page 13

20 Eagle Board of Review Procedures As stated above, Cache La Poudre District places the Eagle Scout Board of Review in the hands of the Eagle Scout candidate and his unit; members of the District Eagle Advancement Committee will assist as necessary. The following activities are the responsibility of the Eagle Scout candidate and his unit committee to oversee or complete: 1. Scheduling the Eagle Board of Review. The Eagle Scout candidate in coordination with his unit committee is responsible for assembling the board in coordination with the District Eagle Advancement representative and his unit committee. Following are the National Council guidelines regarding the Eagle Board of Review: It must be composed of at least three and not more than six members, one of whom must be a representative from the District Eagle Advancement Committee. It may NOT include the unit leader (Scoutmaster, Coach, Advisor, or Skipper) or any registered unit assistant leaders. However, unit committee members are good candidates. It may NOT include any relatives of the Eagle Scout candidate. Each member must be 21 years of age or older. It may include individuals not associated with Scouting but who are leaders in the community, the sponsoring institution, businesses, or education. These individuals must have an understanding of the importance and purpose of the Eagle Board of Review. 2. The Eagle Scout candidate will establish a date for the Eagle Board to meet in coordination with the District Eagle Advancement representative and his unit committee, based on the availability of the participants. This date must be after the District Eagle Advancement Committee has received the candidate s certified Eagle Scout Rank application from Council and all the required letters of recommendation. [Note: the Eagle Board of Review cannot be refused because of the lack of letters of recommendation.] 3. The Eagle Scout candidate should be working with the unit committee to determine who will serve on the board. The board should consist of at least one, preferably two, members from the unit committee representing the unit (e.g., committee chair, advancement chair, Life to Eagle advisor), and one member from the community that knows the candidate well (e.g., family friend, neighbor, teacher, employer). 4. The District Eagle Advancement Committee representative will act as the chair supported by the unit committee. Page 14

21 5. The Board conducts its review of the candidate: The Board should assemble 30 minutes prior to meeting with the candidate. The candidate s unit leader should introduce him to the board members and may remain in the room, but does not participate in the board activities. The unit leader may be called on to clarify a point in question but does not speak unless requested by the board. There is no set of questions that an Eagle Scout candidate should be asked (although examples for consideration are included on page 31). Because of the importance of the Eagle Scout Service Project, the Board should review the project. Questions that may be addressed are: Did the candidate demonstrate leadership of others? Did he indeed direct the project rather than do all the work himself? Was the project of real value to the benefiting organization? Did the project follow the approved plan as signed by the beneficiary, unit leadership, and the District Eagle Advancement Committee member, or were unapproved modifications needed to bring it to its completion? The Board is to review the candidate on the overall aspect of both the candidate s Scouting experience and how he lives his every day life by the Scout Oath and Law. It is not to review the candidate on Scout skills. It should not be an interrogation. The Board should be assured of the candidate s current participation in the Scouting program. This is the highest award that a Scout may achieve one that is continually associated with an individual throughout his lifetime so, consequentially, a thorough discussion of his successes and experiences in Scouting should be considered. The Board must be assured that the candidate fulfills the spirit of the Scout Oath and Law and is representative of the overall good character associated with Scouting. After the review (which should take approximately 30 minutes), the candidate and the unit leader leave the room while the board members discuss the acceptability of the candidate as an Eagle Scout. The decision to award the candidate the rank of Eagle Scout must be unanimous! The candidate is recalled and informed of the decision. 6. If the Board approves the award of Eagle Scout Rank: The Board members and the District Eagle Advancement Committee representative sign and date the Eagle Scout Rank Application under Requirement 7. The completed Eagle Scout Rank Application is sent to the Longs Peak Council headquarters for further processing (it is recommended copies of all materials be retained by the unit). The written references are to be destroyed by the Board Chair. Page 15

22 7. If, during the course of the Board of Review, any member, including the Candidate, feels that the Candidate is not properly prepared to successfully pass, they may ask for a recess. During this recess the members will discuss their concerns and, again, at the request of any of the members, call for an adjournment. The Eagle Board Chair will immediately council the Candidate and provide, in writing, a list of concerns to be addressed. When the Candidate corrects the deficient areas, he may ask the District Eagle Advancement Committee representative to reschedule the Board of Review. 8. If the Board does not approve the award of Eagle Scout Rank: The Board shall inform the Scout orally as to the reasons why he is denied the rank at this time. A discussion with him should be held as to how he may meet the requirements within a given period. The Board Chair shall promptly follow-up with a written letter to the Scout confirming the Board s decision and the agreements reached with him on the action(s) necessary for advancement. The letter will include the name of the District Advancement Committee Chairperson in case the Scout wishes to start a formal appeal process. Copies of this letter are to be sent to the District Advancement Committee Chairperson. The District Eagle Advancement Committee representative shall retain all documentation, including the confidential letters of reference until such time as the issue is resolved. Disputed Circumstances & Appeals Two sets of circumstances may lead to disputed circumstances or to the appeal of a decision. First, if the unit leader or unit committee does not recommend the Scout for a board of review, or if the unit leader or unit committee does not sign the Eagle Scout Rank Application, the Scout or his parents/guardian may request a board of review under disputed circumstances. [see Guide to Advancement, section ] Second, if the Eagle Board of Review does not recommend the applicant for advancement to Eagle Scout Rank, the decision may be appealed by the Scout or his parents/guardians in writing to the Longs Peak Council Advancement Committee. [see Guide to Advancement, section ] Page 16

23 Section 6 Eagle Scout Court of Honor When a Scout earns the Eagle Scout Rank, he deserves special recognition. The Eagle ceremony may not be conducted until the National Council in Irving, Texas, has approved the action of the Eagle Board of Review. There are different views as to the conduct of Eagle Courts of Honor. The May-June 2003 issue of Scouting magazine, Front Line Stuff, discussed the topic of whether Eagle Scout courts of honor should be individual or group. This article is reprinted in Section 7, starting on page 33. Scouts and parents should understand this one fact: this is the Scout s award and ceremony. The Scout s views deserve to be honored. If a Scout wish to participate in a group ceremony with his peers, then by all means do so. But, if he wants single recognition, make sure the unit adult leaders know his desires. There are a number of resources available for planning and conducting appropriate Eagle Scout Rank Courts of Honor. Start with Troop Program Resources, BSA publication number A number of special recognitions are available to a new Eagle Scout for presentation at his Court of Honor. Commendation letters may be requested from dignitaries who are loyal to the principles of Scouting. The website provided by EagleScout.org lists many of them, along with sample request formats. It is recommended that requests be made only to those who may have a special meaning to the Scout being honored. Refer to All of the military services have special recognitions for new Eagle Scouts. See these and others on this web site: Other resources are listed in Section 7. Page 17

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25 Section 7 Other Resources and References General Information Eagle Projects Eagle Award Ceremonies Scholarships for Eagles Forms and Guides References were made in the text to a number of forms and guides. These are included in the following pages for your assistance. Additionally, some are located on the Longs Peak Council and Cache La Poudre District websites. Page 19

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27 Letters of Recommendation Requirements The final step in your quest for the rank of Eagle Scout is participation in an Eagle Scout Board of Review. For the BOR, you need a minimum of four letters of recommendation, one from your parents/guardians and at least three others from adults (over the age of 21) that know you well but are not relatives. Work with your unit committee to request these letters. You should provide a copy of the Guidelines for Eagle Letters of Recommendation to each person asked to write a letter of recommendation. The members of the Board of Review will review these Letters of Recommendation. The letters from the other adults besides your parents/guardians could be from any combination of the following persons: 1. Religious leader 2. Teacher, coach 3. Employer, if you have or had one 4. Other unrelated adults that know you well such as family friends, neighbors, etc. Other than your parents/guardians, the adults you ask to write a Letter of Recommendation cannot be related to you; in other words, your uncle, brother-in-law, grandfather, cousin, etc. cannot be used for these letters. The religious leader and teacher do not have to be working with you presently. In other words, you can solicit a letter from a school teacher or a Sunday School teacher from years ago. If you have not been employed, you can skip this person. To avoid any delay in your BOR, it is recommended that letters be solicited from at least four adults (not counting your parents/guardians) in case a letter is lost or an adult forgets to write a letter. For simplicity, it is recommended that you use this same list of people as your references on the Eagle Scout Rank application (available for downloading from the BSA National web site at Only the most recent version of the Eagle Scout Rank Application will be accepted. The Letters of Recommendation should be mailed to your District Eagle Advancement representative by US Mail. Please ask the individuals writing your letters to reference your name on the envelope of transmittal under their return address. You can start to solicit these letters at any time. Page 21

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29 Guidelines for Eagle Letters of Recommendation Cache La Poudre District, Longs Peak Council, Boy Scouts of America Eagle Scout Candidate:. The Scout/Venturer named is an applicant for the Eagle Scout rank, which is the highest rank in Boy Scouting. Before the award of Eagle Scout Rank is approved, a Board of Review consisting of adult Scouters and community members must be thoroughly convinced that the applicant has made a sincere effort to live the Scout Oath and Scout Law, and to demonstrate Scout Spirit and participation. The Board of Review would appreciate a statement from you giving your frank opinion of the applicant s conduct, leadership ability, and the extent to which he exemplifies the principles of the Scout Oath and Law in his personal life. The following type of information would be of use to the Board of Review in its deliberations: How you came to know this young man and how long you have known him. The Scout Law requires this young man to be: Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, and Reverent. Outline any observations you may have concerning how he has kept this Law. The Scout Oath or Promise is On my honor, I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country, and to obey the Scout Law; To help other people at all times; To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight. How has he kept this promise? One of the goals of the Boy Scout program is to help boys grow into fine young men. The program helps the boy learn important skills such as communication, leadership, teamwork, personal hygiene, and camping while having fun. The program rewards the boy and helps him gain self-confidence as he sees his skills improve and as he helps others improve their skills. Outline any observations you may have concerning this goal. Another important goal of the Boy Scout program is to help boys become good citizens. Do you feel this young man is a good citizen? You letter will remain confidential and will be reviewed only by the members of the Board of Review. Thank you in advance for your letter on behalf of the applicant and for your support of the Boy Scout program. Please return your letter to the name and address noted below and please reference the Scout s full name either on the envelope under your return address label or within your letter. PLEASE MAIL YOUR LETTER TO: District Eagle Advancement representative name, address, & telephone number Page 23

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31 Eagle Scout Board of Review Procedures 1. You and I will coordinate on the date and time of your Eagle Board of Review. Unless an extension has been requested and granted by Council, your Board of Review must occur no later than three months after your 18 th birthday. 2. Your Board of Review will consist of a minimum of three and a maximum of six adults: the Eagle Board Chairperson (from the District Eagle Advancement Committee); possibly one other member of the District Staff (invited by the Eagle Board Chairperson); at least one, preferably two, members from your unit committee (such as the committee chair, advancement chair, or Life to Eagle representative); and one person invited by you who knows you well such as a family friend, neighbor, teacher, or employer. All board members must be over the age of 21 and cannot be members of your family, a relative, the Scoutmaster, Coach, or Advisor, or any of their assistants. 3. It is your responsibility to coordinate with your unit committee on inviting the people to serve on your Eagle Board of Review. 4. You will need to work with your unit to arrange for the location and a room for the Board of Review. It is recommended that the Board of Review be conducted at your unit s meeting place. 5. You must appear in uniform. You may also wear your OA sash or merit badge sash, if you desires. 6. You must bring your completed Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook and you should also bring your Scout Handbook. 7. The total time for the board is about one to one and a half hours. You will meet with the board for about 30 to 45 minutes. Your Scoutmaster/Coach/Advisor or one of their assistants may introduce you to the board. 8. Prior to meeting with you, the board will review your letters of recommendation, Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook, Eagle Scout Rank application, statement of ambitions and life purpose, and Scout Handbook. Page 25

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33 Sample Questions for Eagle Board of Review Tell us about your Eagle Service Project. Who did the project help? How has it helped? How did you provide leadership? Of all the merit badges you earned, which was the most meaningful? Why? Of all the merit badges you earned, which did you find the most difficult or challenging? Why? Have any of your merit badge studies been of help in determining your future career? What are your plans for the future? How has Scouting helped you to prepare for your future? How? What do you like best about Scouting? Why? Now that you have completed your work for Eagle Scout rank, what are you going to do for Scouting? Tell us about your activities outside of Scouting. (Church, school, clubs, athletics) What makes an Eagle Scout different from other youth? As you remember the Scout Oath, what does it mean to you? You did not make it all the way to Eagle on your own. Tell us about some of the people who helped you and how they helped. Of all the parts of the Scout Law, which part is the most (or least) important? Why? Which of your Scouting experiences was most memorable? If you could do one thing differently in your Scouting experiences, what would it be? What does it mean to be an Eagle Scout? How can you pass on the skills you learned in Scouting? What is does duty to God mean to you and how have you demonstrated your duty to God since your Life board of review? What is does duty to your Country mean to you and how have you demonstrated your duty to Country since your Life board of review? What is your duty to Self? How did you thank your volunteers? Page 27

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