LIFE TO EAGLE PACKET SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION REVISED JANUARY 2012 By Potawatomi Council Advancement Committee
HAVE YOU READ THE ENTIRE EAGLE SERVICE PROJECT WORKBOOK?
EAGLE SCOUT SERVICE PROJECT GUIDELINES 1) The Eagle Scout service project provides the opportunity for the Eagle Candidate to demonstrate the leadership skills learned in Scouting. Therefore it is important to choose a project that will enable the Eagle Candidate to demonstrate HIS Leadership Skills. 2) As a demonstration of leadership, the scout must plan the work, organize the personnel needed, and direct the project to its completion. Parental involvement should be limited. 3) An Eagle Service Project involving BSA property or activities is not acceptable. The Eagle Service Project may not be of a commercial nature or a fund raiser. Routine labor or work normally performed should not be considered. For ideas and opportunities you can contact your troop s chartering organization, religious institution, school, local park and recreation people, the DNR, or any other charitable or non profit organization. Or ask your District Eagle Coordinator. 4) An Eagle Scout service project should be of significant magnitude to be special. While there is no minimum number of hours required, the Project should represent your best effort, not be a borderline effort, and make an impact. Routine labor is not normally considered appropriate for a project. This might be defined as a job or service that a Scout may provide as part of his daily life, or a routine maintenance job normally done by the beneficiary (for example, picking the weeds on the football field at a school). But the real test has to do with scale and impact. If routine labor is conducted on so large a scale it requires planning, development, and leadership, it may have sufficient impact. 5) In order to ensure that your Eagle Scout service project is a Quality Project you must secure the approval of the following A) The 1 st signature must be from the representative of the benefiting organization B) The 2 nd and 3 rd signatures must be from your Scoutmaster and Unit Committee member. 6) After you have the approval of the benefiting organization and your unit, the project must be reviewed and approved by the District Eagle Coordinator to make sure it is a quality project. Approval of the project does not mean that the way it is carried out will be approved. 7) No project should be started without these four signatures in the Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook on Page 10. If you perform any of the work on this project without the above 4 signatures, your project will not be able to be taken into consideration for your Eagle rank and will result in you having to perform another project. 8) All work on the Eagle Service Project must be done while the Scout is Life rank and before the Scout s 18 th birthday. In some RARE cases it is possible to get a time extension. 9) The Eagle Service Project is an individual matter, so two Eagle Candidates will not receive credit if they do the same project. 10) It is strongly recommended that the Eagle Candidate keep a three ring binder to include all of his Eagle project information. The binder should be kept neat as it will become a presentation piece for his Board of Review. 11) Please point out in writing how your supervision is being used or how it will be used. The Board members are looking to see your leadership skills in action. 12) Keep a record of all who worked on the project (including the candidate) and the number of hours each of them worked, along with what was accomplished, from the 1 st meeting to completion. Pictures before, during, and after the project answer a lot of questions at the Board of Review. 13) When filling out the Eagle Application, BSA approved position(s) of responsibility must account for 6 months (at least 180 days) after receiving your Life Scout board of Review. 14) Make sure that your Scoutmaster Conference happens prior to turning in your Eagle paperwork to the Potawatomi Area Council. 15) It is suggested that you make a copy of all paperwork prior to turning it in to the Potawatomi Area Council, just in case something were to happen.
EAGLE SCOUT APPLICATION PROCESS 1) The Scout must have achieved the rank of Life 2) The Potawatomi Area Council office provides an Eagle Scout Application Process Kit to the unit leaders. This packet must be presented to the Scout shortly after earning the rank of Life Scout. This kit contains: a) A letter of introduction b) The Life to Eagle Packet with the Service Project Workbook #512-927 (2011) I) Eagle Scout Service Project Guidelines II) Eagle Scout Workbook Guidelines III) Statement of Ambitions and Life Purpose description c) The Eagle Scout Rank Application d) The Eagle Scout Candidate press release form e) One Letter of reference form to have copies made from for I) Parent or Guardian(s) II) Scoutmaster III) Religious Leader IV) Educational reference (principal, counselor, or teacher) V) References from 2 non-related people VI) Employer (optional) 3) The Scout works on various requirements for the Eagle rank as stated in the Boy Scout Handbook. The steps to complete an Eagle Service Project in the Potawatomi Area Council are explained on the sheet Eagle Scout Service Project Guidelines 4) The candidate gives the Letter of Reference Forms, provided in this packet, to the references. These references may be sent out after receiving approval of the project from the District Eagle Coordinator. This will allow time for the letters to be returned to Potawatomi Area Council while the project is being completed. These should NOT be collected by or mailed to the scout. All reference lines on the Eagle Application, with the exception of employer, must have a person s name, address, and phone number. Also provide the references an envelope stamped and addressed to Potawatomi Area Council, 804 Bluemound Rd., Waukesha, WI 53188 5) At this time the Scout completes the Statement of Ambitions (Req. 6 of the Eagle Application). As with all documents that are a portion of the Eagle Application Process, this is to be typed or written legibly in ink. 6) When the Scout has completed the requirements for Eagle, a Scoutmaster conference is held with the Scoutmaster. The Scoutmaster signs the scout handbook if he or she feels the scout has fulfilled all the requirements. 7) The scout presents all of the documents to the troop committee member and if it meets with approval, obtains the Scoutmaster s and committee member s signature on the Eagle application if they feel it fulfills the requirements. This is a direct reflection of the scout and his hard work. It should be presented as neatly and as organized as the scout would an assignment or project for school.
8) When all of the requirements for the rank of Eagle (except for the board of review) have been completed, the scout delivers all of the following paperwork to the Potawatomi Area Council for verification. a) The Eagle Scout Rank Application b) The completed Eagle Service Project Workbook and 3 copies, for convenience of the members of the Board of Review. This should include the detailed plan of action previously approved by the District Eagle Coordinator, and the completed Carrying out the project portion, which clearly summarizes all of the efforts undertaken to complete the project. It should also include a photographic record of all phases of the project and a summary of hours spent carrying out the project. c) The Scout s Statement of Ambitions and Life Purpose (Req. 6 of the Eagle Application) 9) The Potawatomi Area Council Registrar verifies that the forms are complete and accurate, including that all merit badges have been recorded with the Council Office. This may take as long as a week, longer if reference letters have not been received. The office then furnishes all appropriate forms to the District Eagle Coordinator. 10) The District Eagle Coordinator will then contact the scout to schedule the Eagle Board of Review. The scout will then contact the Scoutmaster to verify dates and then contact the District Eagle Coordinator with the date chosen. This board of review will be conducted at the District Level with a minimum of three members and a maximum of six members. The Scoutmaster (or representative of the troop) must be present at the board of review. No parent, guardian or relative of the scout shall be present during the review, but they will be interviewed prior to the review. The Scoutmaster may also be interviewed prior to the review, and may observe the review, but may not participate in the review. If the Scoutmaster is a parent, guardian or relative, an assistant Scoutmaster or other committee member will need to be present to take his or her place. 11) The board of review is held 12) After the parents, Scoutmaster and scout have spoken, the members of the board of review will confer about the workbook, letters of reference, interviews, the scout s leadership abilities, and the scout s commitment to the Scout Oath and Law. If the Eagle Board members approve the candidate, they will sign and date the Eagle application. The District Eagle Coordinator will deliver all of the forms (Eagle Scout Rank Application, letters of reference, the original copy of the Eagle Scout Project Workbook, Statement of Ambitions and Purpose, and a completed advancement form) to the Registrar at the Potawatomi Area Council office to be reviewed by the Scout Executive. After it is approved the Eagle Rank Application is forwarded to the National Office of the Boy Scouts of America for final approval. 13) The National office gives final approval of the application. If everything is in order, in about 2-8 weeks the Eagle Packet will arrive at the Potawatomi Area Council Office. At this time the Scoutmaster will be called to inform him or her of the good news. He will inform the new Eagle Scout. NOTE: Until National approval is received, Eagle badges or insignia will not be issued by the Potawatomi Area Council. 14) A troop representative picks up the Eagle materials from the Potawatomi Area Council 15) The scout should be awarded with his Eagle Rank at the next troop meeting. A more formal recognition will be presented at the Eagle Court of Honor.
EAGLE SCOUT WORKBOOK GUIDELINES 1) Print your name on the front of the Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook 2) Read the entire Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook, especially pages 21&22 and 2-5 before considering a project and then complete Page 6 of the Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook. 3) Print your name on Page 7 labeled Eagle Scout Service Project Proposal 4) Describe the project you plan to do in the Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook When filling out the Eagle Scout Service Project Proposal (pages 8-10), you must explain the project in detail without getting into the planning at this time. a) Project Description and Benefit (page 8) I) Describe the project, include photos or sketches if these will help to explain your vision. II) Tell why your project is helpful and needed by the organization III) When do you plan to start the project IV) How long do you think the project will take to complete? b) Giving Leadership (page 8) I) Estimate how many people you will need to help with your project II) Where will you get your volunteers from III) What type of problems do you think you will face trying to lead them c) Materials (page 8) I) List the materials you will need to complete the project Examples: nails, screws, lumber, stain, paint, plants, seed, etc. d) Supplies (page 8) I) List what supplies you will need to complete the project Examples: tape, tarps, garbage bags, rags, paint remover, etc. e) Tools (page 9) I) List what kind of tools you will need to complete the project Examples: rakes, wheelbarrow, shovel, hammer, saw, drill, etc. f) Permits and Permissions (page 9) I) Will you need to secure permissions or permits? Who will obtain them, how much will they cost, how long will it take to get them? Examples: building permit, permission from property owner, etc. g) Preliminary Cost Estimate (page 9) I) Explain what types of expenses you may have with the project, this is an estimate of how much it might cost. II) Fundraising explain where you might get the money for the project expenses. Examples: Businesses, parents, friends, church, etc. h) Project Phases (page 9) I) Think of your project in steps that make sense to you, and list them.
i) Logistics (page 9) I) How will you handle transportation of materials, supplies, tools and volunteers? Do you need a tour permit? j) Safety Issues (page 10) I) Describe any hazards and safety concerns in regards to the project, consult the Guide to Safe Scouting to verify BSA s proper procedures. Examples: two deep leadership, chainsaw safety, power tool safety, etc. k) Further Planning (page 10) I) List some things that you need to do to complete the final plan Example: complete a detailed set of drawings 5) Signatures On page 10 of the Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook ALL signatures must be obtained prior to starting Eagle Scout Service Project Final Plan or any work on the project. All of the signatures must be dated in the correct sequence. a) Candidate s Promise Signed before approvals are granted if the scout has not signed this, no one else should sign on this page. b) Approval Signatures I) Beneficiary Approval, Unit Leader Approval, Unit Committee Approval (These 3 can be obtained in any order, consult with your troop for their policy). c) Council or District Approval This signature can be obtained only after the previous signatures have been obtained. The Council or District Representative will NOT sign if the other signatures and dates are not present in the correct order on the bottom of page 10. 6) Print your name on Page 11 labeled Eagle Scout Service Project Final Plan a) Record the project start date this is the same date as the council or district approval signature on page 10. b) Projected completion date estimate what date you will have the project, including the paperwork, fully completed and ready to submit to the council service center. 7) Eagle Scout Service Project Final Plan (pages 12-16) a) Comments from your proposal review (page 12) I) What suggestions were made by the council or district representative who approved your proposal. You can also include suggestions made by your troop representatives, or beneficiary. b) Project Description and Benefit changes from proposal (page 12) I) How will your project be different from your approved proposal II) Will the changes make the project more or less helpful to the beneficiary? c) Present Condition or Situation (page 12) I) Describe the present condition of the worksite (before pictures would be helpful), describe obstacles you might have to work around.
d) Project Phases (page 12) I) Look at the phases from your proposal. Make any changes, then provide details, including timing. If you have more than 8 phases, please include an attachment to this page. e) Work Processes (page 13) I) Prepare a step by step list of what must be done and how you will get everything completed. This should read like a recipe. When using a recipe to cook, you have steps to follow, this should be the same for your project. Anyone should be able to pick up this description and be able to complete your project based on the recipe. II) Attach further plans as necessary, drawings, diagrams, maps, pictures, or anything that might be helpful to your volunteers, or aid you in having a successful project and board of review. f) Permits and Permissions (page 13) I) If you need permissions or permits describe how to obtain them and when they will be issued. Examples: Tour permit, building permit, land owner permission, diggers hotline, beneficiary permission, etc. g) Materials (page 13) I) List each item, quantity, unit cost, total cost, and where obtained Note: if you plan for donations, you may need to complete the Eagle Scout Service Project Fundraising Application on page 17. h) Supplies (page 14) I) List each item, quantity, unit cost, total cost, and where obtained i) Tools (page 14) I) List each item, quantity, unit cost, total cost, where obtained and who will operate or use it. Power tools are considered hazardous and must be operated by experienced adults, reference the Guide to Safe Scouting. j) Expenses and Revenue (page 14) I) List the total expenses and money taken in from fundraising and/or contributions. k) Giving Leadership (page 15) I) Complete the chart telling about specific jobs that must be done, the skills needed, whether they must be adults or may be youth, how many people are needed, and how many you have so far. II) III) What are your plans for instructing people on what needs to be done How do you plan to let people know how to get to where they need to be, that they will be on time, and have the supplies they need. l) Logistics (page 15-16) I) How will the volunteers get to an from the place of the project II) How will you transport materials, supplies, and tools III) How will the workers be fed IV) Will restrooms be available V) What will be done with leftover materials and supplies VI) What will be done with the tools
m) Safety (page 16) I) Will a first aid kit be needed and if so where will it be kept II) Will any hazardous materials or chemicals be used, how will you make sure that they are handled properly III) List hazards you might face Examples: severe weather, wildlife, hazardous tools or equipment, sunburn, etc. What will you do to prevent problems IV) How do you plan to communicate these safety issues to your volunteers V) Will you hold a safety meeting. Who will conduct it and when. Who will handle first-aid n) Contingency Plans (page 16) I) What could postpone or cancel your project and what will you do if this happens. Example: severe weather, materials not available, etc o) Comments From Your Project Coach (page 16) I) A project coach is not required, but can be helpful 8) Eagle Scout Service Project Fundraising Application (page 17) a) If you plan to fundraise you will need to fill out the form on page 17, to be signed by the beneficiary of the project, a unit leader, and then turned into the Potawatomi Area Council office for approval by your district executive. The signed paperwork has to be included in your Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook. Read page 18 for fundraising procedures and limitations. 9) Eagle Scout Service Project Report (page 19) To be completed after the service project has been finished, please be prepared to discuss your responses at your board of review. a) Summary (page 19) I) What went well II) What was challenging b) Changes (page 19) I) What changes were made as the project was being worked on c) Leadership (page 19) I) In what ways did you show leadership II) What was most difficult about being in charge III) What was most rewarding about being in charge IV) What did you learn about leadership or how were your leadership skills improved d) Supplies (page 19) I) Were you short or over on materials, supplies and tools, what effect did that have on the project
e) Entering Service Project Data (page 20) I) Record the number of hours worked by yourself, BSA youth, other youth, BSA adults, and other adults. There is no requirement for the number of hours worked as long as the project is a noteworthy project. As a suggestion, keep a record of all the hours you spent working on the project, including time planning and obtaining approvals. Also keep a record of the time others spent helping you with the project. Include names, dates, and number of hours, because this will help you to complete this step in the workbook. f) Funding (page 20) I) Describe your fundraising efforts II) How much was collected / spent III) If your expenses were more than the money collected, explain how the excess expenses were paid for IV) If you had money left over, did you turn it over to the project beneficiary, if no, when will that take place. V) How were the donors thanked g) Photos and Other Documentation (page 20) I) Attach any before, during and after photos, maps, letters, handouts, printed materials, etc. h) Candidate s Promise (page 20) I) Sign and date when everything is complete and ready to turn in to the council office i) Completion Approvals (page 20) I) Secure the completion signatures from the beneficiary and your unit leader.
EAGLE SCOUT CANDIDATE STATEMENT OF AMBITIONS AND LIFE PURPOSE This is a statement of what you, the Eagle Scout Candidate, foresee for the future. It should include a listing of positions held in your religious institution, school, camp, community, and other organizations where you have demonstrated leadership skills. Include honors and awards you have received. You should write about your plans for college, military, job, family, and anything else you see for the future. This document is an important part of the Eagle application process. It is important to stop and think about the future and to make plans accordingly. BOARD OF REVIEW At this time you should submit your original Eagle Project binder (and 3 copies), which includes your Eagle Scout Rank Application, your statement of Ambitions and Life Purpose, and your completed Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project Workbook to the Potawatomi Area Council Registrar. The 3 copies of the binder are not required, but are helpful to the members of your Eagle Board of Review. Wear your full uniform to your Eagle Board of Review, including merit badge sash and bring your Boy Scout Handbook. If you are a member in the Order of the Arrow do not wear the OA sash to your Board of Review, as this is not an OA event. Be prepared to answer questions about the documents mentioned above, your time in Scouting, and information supplied by your references.
EAGLE SCOUT LEADERSHIP PROJECT PLAN CHECKLIST Pass your Board of Review for Life Scout Receive the Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook, Life to Eagle Packet and Eagle Application from your Scoutmaster. READ THE ENTIRE WORKBOOK BEFORE PROCEEDING Write your name on page 1 and fill out Page 6 in the Eagle Service Project Workbook Fill out Page 1 of the Eagle Scout Application. Start recording your time (and others) spent planning Contact a school, religious organization, community organization, or non-profit group about a project you would like to do, or to get ideas about a project. Work involving council property or other BSA activities is not permitted. Meet with a representative from the benefiting organization to discuss plans for the project Write up the Eagle Scout Service Project Proposal see the section on Eagle Scout Workbook Guidelines for more information. Meet with the representative of the benefiting organization to discuss the plan and secure their signature on Page 10 of the Eagle workbook. Meet with your Scoutmaster to discuss the plan and secure his or her signature on Page 10 of the Eagle workbook. Meet with the unit Committee member or committee member to discuss the plan and secure his or her signature on Page 10 of the Eagle workbook. Contact the District Eagle Coordinator to discuss the proposed Eagle project. Note if you do not have the other 3 signatures on Page 10, the District Eagle Coordinator will not sign it until the other 3 signatures have been obtained. Do not begin any work on the project until the above items have been completed. Record the start date of the project (the date you received approval from the District Eagle Coordinator) and the projected completion date of the project on Page 11 of the Eagle Workbook. Write up the Eagle Scout Service Project Final Plan Page 11-16 of the workbook, see the section on Eagle Scout Workbook Guidelines for more information. Send out your letter of reference requests. Begin working on the project, make sure you keep recording all hours you and others spend working on the project. After the project is completed, secure the approval signature of the representative of the benefiting organization on Page 20 of the Eagle Workbook, and request a letter of completion (letter is not required, but adds to the workbook). Secure the signature of your Scoutmaster on Page 20 of the Eagle Workbook Sign and date Page 20 in the Eagle Workbook Write your Statement of Ambitions and Life Purpose (req 6 on Eagle Application) Compose all of your materials into a booklet (binder), including the Eagle Application, Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook, ( including pictures) and Statement of Ambitions and Life Purpose. Request and have a Scoutmaster Conference. After the Scoumaster s approval have him or her sign your scout handbook and Eagle Scout Application. Review all of your paperwork with the unit committee member and have him or her sign the Eagle Scout Application. Complete the balance of your Eagle Application
EAGLE SCOUT LEADERSHIP PROJECT PLAN CHECKLIST- continued Make a copy (for you to keep) of all of the materials and turn the original and three copies to the Potawatomi Area Council Registrar for verification. Once all of the paperwork has been verified and reference letters received at the Potawatomi Area Council Office, the District Eagle Coordinator will be notified that you are ready for your Eagle Board of Review. The District Eagle Coordinator will contact you with available dates, and you will in turn contact your Scoutmaster to determine which dates and times will work for all involved. Contact your District Eagle Coordinator with the date(s) decided upon. The District Eagle Coordinator will then secure members for the Eagle Board of Review and contact you with the time and place. On the night of your Eagle Board of Review, don t be late and dress for success. This means full uniform including your merit badge sash with all of the badges sewn on and all of the insignias and patches in the proper place on your uniform. Bring your Boy Scout Handbook with you. Be prepared to answer questions not only about your project, but about your scouting career, hobbies, goals for the future, and things others may have said about you in the letters of reference. 2-8 weeks after the Eagle Board has been concluded, your Scoutmaster will receive the good news that you are an Eagle Scout (as long as there are no complications or problems with the paperwork) and he or she will contact you to let you know. It will be up to your unit to decide when your Eagle Rank will be awarded. You may start planning your Eagle Court of Honor where you will receive acknowledgement for a job well done. Congratulations!
SUCCESSFUL EAGLE SERVICE PROJECTS This is a list of Eagle Projects that have been completed in the past. This will give you an idea of the broad scope of work that has been performed by Eagle Scout candidates. Major emphasis is placed on the Eagle Candidate and how he provided the leadership on each of these projects. 1. Church video room risers 2. Benches for church playground 3. Krueger park bleachers and scoreboard 4. Wood duck boxes for Horicon Marsh 5. Franciscan home footstools 6. KMS forest, 2,000 Oak saplings planted 7. Flower boxes for Habitat for Humanity homes 8. Municipal Safety Town Event 9. Audubon Center retaining wall 10. Salvation Army clothes drive 11. Weather station for St. Mary s 12. Historical Log Cabin chinking 13. Benches for hiking trail 14. Park boardwalk 15. Church playground unit 16. Library book drive 17. Elementary school landscaping 18. Church baseball backstop 19. Rebuild toys for safe house 20. Community Kid I.D. fingerprinting 21. Restore bikes for human services 22. Build bridge in county park 23. Build school ticket booth 24. Build bridge on Ice Age Trail 25. St Francis home stone wall 26. Amphitheater for high school 27. Build Falcon nesting boxes 28. Retzer nature center pine tree thinning 29. Build aviary in wild life park 30. Stain church pews 31. Build day care center shelves 32. Build split rail cemetery fence for church 33. Build Wildlife in Need duck boxes 34. Cemetery improvements 35. Humane society shelves 36. Toys and books for church 37. Clothing drive for South Dakota Lakotas 38. School supply drive for the needy 39. Historic site display 40. Shed for church 41. Build tables for Community Park 42. Fox river tree and debris removal 43. VFW post improvement 44. Wood boxes to ship used eyeglasses 45. City Hall landscaping around fountain 46. Church Cemetery landscape and gate 47. High School benches and signs 48. Nicolet national forest trail building 49. Wehr Nature Center erosion project 50. Build raccoon boxes for animal shelter 51. Old World Wisconsin fencing 52. Fire hydrant restore and paint 53. Stencil storm drains 54. Habitat for Humanity signs 55. Quilts for safe house 56. Ice Age trail tree ID 57. Mitchell park trail building and improvements 58. Park garbage receptacles 59. Church fire pit 60. Historic site tool display 61. City Hall gazebo rebuild and paint 62. Notre Dame Convent cemetery benches 63. Website for St Mary s church 64. Wirth park garlic mustard removal 65. Build and paint pergola for church 66. Fox river stump removal 67. Parish retaining wall 68. Deck for historical society building 69. Linden Grove home book drive 70. Build greenhouse for adult day center 71. Church serenity garden 72. Frisbee course tree protection 73. Municipal soccer park bridge 74. Church pier 75. Schlitz Audubon trail rebuild 76. Community park buckthorn removal 77. Wisconsin River clean up 78. Bat houses for Lime Kiln park 79. State park trail signs 80. KMS Oak Savanna 81. Hebron and Sienna house needs drive 82. Build entertainment center for Hartfelt house 83. Parish bathroom remodeling 84. Parish Sunday School room remodeling 85. Collect Car Seats for House of Peace 86. Presentation planter for Freedom House 87. Paint High School Gym 88. Collect and retire American Flags 89. Build outdoor classroom at elementary school 90. Build church t-ball diamond