Eagle Candidate Seminar Presenter note: You should include your name and position. Explain your responsibilities and authority in your troop’s Eagle process.

Seminar Objectives To Avoid Any Surprises! To review the requirements for Eagle rank To discuss the Eagle Scout Service Project To review Eagle application process To discuss the Eagle Court of Honor To answer any questions from Scouts & parents To understand time commitment Presenter notes: Set the tone for the seminar and put both parents & Scouts at ease. Remind them that the process & procedures for the Eagle is different from the lower ranks because the district, council, and national BSA have approval requirements. Note that in the past there may have been problems because everyone did not understand the process and some pitfalls so that is the reason for this seminar – to avoid any surprises. Note that the troop wants all Scouts to be successful and if they want to earn the Eagle rank, you will help them. Also point out that it is ultimately the Scout’s responsibility (not his parents or the troop leaders) to have a plan for how he will meet all the requirements them follow through to reach his goal. The Scout gets to wear the Eagle rank for the rest of his life, therefore he should be the one to earn it. To Avoid Any Surprises!

The Trail to Eagle At the End of the Day Can I , as a Scout, Answer……… -How do I integrated scouting into my everyday life? -How did I demonstrated leadership the execution of my project? Presenter notes: Set the tone for the seminar and put both parents & Scouts at ease. Remind them that the process & procedures for the Eagle is different from the lower ranks because the district, council, and national BSA have approval requirements. Note that in the past there may have been problems because everyone did not understand the process and some pitfalls so that is the reason for this seminar – to avoid any surprises. Note that the troop wants all Scouts to be successful and if they want to earn the Eagle rank, you will help them. Also point out that it is ultimately the Scout’s responsibility (not his parents or the troop leaders) to have a plan for how he will meet all the requirements them follow through to reach his goal. The Scout gets to wear the Eagle rank for the rest of his life, therefore he should be the one to earn it.

Eagle Requirements Merit Badges * 21 minimum Leadership Position * 6 mo. active Active as Life Scout * 6 mo. minimum Eagle Service Project * Demonstrate live by Scout Oath & Law * Scoutmaster Conference Complete Eagle Board of Review Presenter notes: This is a overview, each topic shown here will be discussed in detail in later slides. The key point here is that the requirements must be completed before the 18th birthday. It is possible (but very unlikely) to get an extension from National BSA in very special circumstances. Don’t count on this. * All requirements, except Scoutmaster’s Conference and BOR, must be completed prior to 18th birthday!

Remember! Eagle rank is more than just 21 merit badges & a project! The primary emphasis is LEADERSHIP! Presenter notes: So many Scouts and parents think that if the Scout just earns the 21 merit badges and completes a project, the rest is just a given. This is just a reminder that there are other requirements and a boy can be denied Eagle if he does not satisfy all of them. The most common problem is the leadership position – they either assume a position will count, when it is not on the approved list, or they just hold the title, but don’t do any of the required work. Then they are mad when the SM will not sign their Eagle application.

12 Required Merit Badges Environmental Science Family Life Communications Camping First Aid Personal Fitness Citizenship in the Community Citizenship in the Nation Citizenship in the World Personal Management Swimming or Hiking or Cycling Emergency Preparedness or Lifesaving Presenter notes: Review the list of current required merit badges. Since these change from time to time, please verify this list before making this presentation (every time). Carefully explain that only one of the options (example: Swimming or Hiking or Cycling) will satisfy this required merit badge. If the Scout has more than one of these, the others may count as non-required merit badges.

Warning: Several merit badges require specific, extended periods of time to complete. If the requirement says: Meet with your counselor … Keep records for three months … You must meet with your counselor AT LEAST three months prior to your 18th birthday or you cannot complete the merit badge in time! You cannot keep a record of your budget and spending for three months in only three weeks. To ask anyone to backdate merit badge requirements because of poor planning would violate the principles of the BSA and should invalidate the Eagle rank as a result of that action. This would be a terrible example to set for other Scouts. Presenter notes: This is a serious pitfall that has often caught Scouts after it is too late to recover (without cheating – which should never be tolerated under any circumstances)

Leadership Position Scoutmaster assigned or elected Minimum of 6 months (one or more positions) Must do the job - Not just wear the patch Approved positions are: Sr. Patrol Leader Asst. Sr. Patrol Leader Patrol Leader Troop Guide Instructor Den Chief Troop Historian Troop Scribe Troop Librarian Troop Quartermaster Jr. Asst. Scoutmaster Chaplain aide Troop OA Representative (troop may only have 1 OA rep at a time, must be approved by chapter / lodge) Note: Patrol QM, Asst Patrol Leader, Patrol Scribe do not satisfy requirement

Eagle Service Project –Meeting Eagle Scout Req 5 Project Purpose Choosing a Project Restrictions The BSA site where an electronic Copy of the Service Project Handbook and the Eagle Scout Application can be download from: www.scouting.org

Eagle Service Project –Project Purpose Providing Service and fulfilling the part of the Scout Oath, “to help other people at all times” Demonstrate, Hone, Learn or Develop Leadership skills including: Important lessons in Project Management Taking Responsibility for a Significant Accomplishment

Eagle Service Project –Choosing a Project Project must be for any religious institution, any school, or your community. Project must present an Opportunity for Planning, Development, and Leadership. Restrictions: No Required Minimum Hours. Routine Labor is Not Normally Appropriate. Projects May Not Be of a Commercial Nature or for a Business*. No More Than One Eagle Scout Candidate May Receive Credit for a Project. Projects May Not be Performed for BSA, its Councils, Districts, Units or Properties.

Eagle Service Project – The Project Workbook Workbook is Divided in to 4 Sections: Preparing the Project Proposal Final Plan Fundraising Application Project Report

Eagle Scout Service Project –Preparing the Project Proposal For Your Proposal to be Approved, it Must Show the Following: Sufficient Opportunity to Meet the Eagle Scout Service Project Requirement. Planning, Development, and Leadership How These 3 Factors Will Benefit a Religious Institution, a School, or your Community Appears to be Feasible. You Must Show the Project is Realistic for You to Complete. Safety Issues will be Addressed. How to Safeguard against Possible Injuries What to do if Someone Gets Hurt Action Steps for Further Detailed Planning are Included. List of Keys Steps, Detail Planning Starts Here You are on the Right Track with a Reasonable Chance for a Positive Experience. Fundraising Application. If Your Contributions are from the Beneficiary, You, or Your Parents Mark as “Not Applicable” Submit with Proposal with Signitures Presenter notes: Set the tone for the seminar and put both parents & Scouts at ease. Remind them that the process & procedures for the Eagle is different from the lower ranks because the district, council, and national BSA have approval requirements. Note that in the past there may have been problems because everyone did not understand the process and some pitfalls so that is the reason for this seminar – to avoid any surprises. Note that the troop wants all Scouts to be successful and if they want to earn the Eagle rank, you will help them. Also point out that it is ultimately the Scout’s responsibility (not his parents or the troop leaders) to have a plan for how he will meet all the requirements them follow through to reach his goal. The Scout gets to wear the Eagle rank for the rest of his life, therefore he should be the one to earn it. Important Lessons in Project Management

Eagle Scout Service Project –Preparing the Project Proposal How to Get Your Proposal to be Approved: Neatly Organize the Proposal and the Fundraising Application in a binder. Present to Eagle Advisor for Approval. Get Scoutmaster Signature. Get Committee Chair Signature. Drop off at Council Office for Approval. Wait for Call from Council for pick up. Presenter notes: Set the tone for the seminar and put both parents & Scouts at ease. Remind them that the process & procedures for the Eagle is different from the lower ranks because the district, council, and national BSA have approval requirements. Note that in the past there may have been problems because everyone did not understand the process and some pitfalls so that is the reason for this seminar – to avoid any surprises. Note that the troop wants all Scouts to be successful and if they want to earn the Eagle rank, you will help them. Also point out that it is ultimately the Scout’s responsibility (not his parents or the troop leaders) to have a plan for how he will meet all the requirements them follow through to reach his goal. The Scout gets to wear the Eagle rank for the rest of his life, therefore he should be the one to earn it. Detail Planning Will Afford you the a Positive Experience

Eagle Scout Service Project –The Final Plan Complete the Final Plan After your Proposal is Approved. It is a Tool for You to Use That will Allow you to Demonstrate. Planning and Development The Final Plan will Keep You in Charge of Your Project. Leadership and Responsibility You are Strongly to Share Plan with a Project Coach. Not to Change Your Plan, To Give You Feedback No Approval Step Presenter notes: Set the tone for the seminar and put both parents & Scouts at ease. Remind them that the process & procedures for the Eagle is different from the lower ranks because the district, council, and national BSA have approval requirements. Note that in the past there may have been problems because everyone did not understand the process and some pitfalls so that is the reason for this seminar – to avoid any surprises. Note that the troop wants all Scouts to be successful and if they want to earn the Eagle rank, you will help them. Also point out that it is ultimately the Scout’s responsibility (not his parents or the troop leaders) to have a plan for how he will meet all the requirements them follow through to reach his goal. The Scout gets to wear the Eagle rank for the rest of his life, therefore he should be the one to earn it. Take Responsibility for a Significant Accomplishment

Eagle Leadership Service Project - Project Report Complete After the Project is Finished Keep A Log of Volunteer Hours. Keep All Receipts for Materials Purchased Donations You Must Turn in Copies with Project Workbook and Eagle Scout Application Take “Before”, “During”, and “After” Photos Complete as soon as Possible It Will be Fresh in Your Mind. Reflect on Your Accomplishment

Eagle Application Process Complete all requirements Write project final report Complete Eagle Scout Application Submit Application & Project Final Report to: Troop Committee & Scoutmaster Council verifies Scouts records Returned to District for Board of Review Conduct Board of Review Council approval National approval Conduct Court of Honor

Board of Review Scheduled after all requirements complete and Council verifies records. Eagle date of rank is date Board of Review is passed. Important if earning Eagle Palms Scout should be in full Scout uniform It is not a retest of knowledge or skills However, should know the Scout Oath, Law, Motto, Slogan and be ready to discuss how you live by them.

Eagle Court of Honor Special ceremony to recognize only Eagle Scout(s) Conducted only after National approval ~4-6 weeks after Board of Review Planned and carried out by Troop and Parents There is no required format Some items to consider: Who to invite - up to the family Date and time to accommodate schedule of special guests Reserve church or other location Reception decorations & refreshments - family responsibility Letters from public officials - family’s choice Photo album of Scouting career at reception

Discussion & Questions