The Trail from Life to Eagle Dan Beard Council

Requirements Six months active service Scout spirit 21 merit badges Leadership Service project Scoutmaster conference Board of review

Changes in the Trail Two recent publications have caused the biggest changes in over twenty years As of January 1, 2012, must be using new requirements unless all approvals were obtained by December 31, 2011

New Publications Guide to Advancement 2011 http://scouting.org/filestore/pdf/33088.pdf Eagle Scout Project Planning Workbook http://scouting.org/filestore/pdf/512-927_fillable.pdf

New Project Requirement “Proposal must be approved…before you start.” Project workbook broken into three phases: Proposal Detailed planning Final report

Sources of Ideas Scoutmaster Troop Committee Newspaper Local parks Churches Schools Community leaders The best projects are the ones in which the scouts have a personal interest

Examples of recent Eagle construction projects: What Can I Do? Examples of recent Eagle construction projects: Concrete, paver and stone work Patios and paths Fencing and handrails Fire ring/prayer circle Hiking and nature trails Landscaping – removal, renovation Garden and raised beds Sprinkler systems Compost bins Mulching and weed barriers Signage and marking for trails, plants, trees Props for plays Playground equipment – assembly and refurbishing Historical building restoration Shelves and space organizers Benches, work tables Mailboxes Shelters Bulletin boards Drywall and painting Bird/bat houses Ponds and wildlife observation environments Steps – wood, stone Drainage, retaining walls Steps on a trail or building Water bars on a trail ADA-compliant entrance ramps Bridges and handrails Erosion control

What can I do? Computer reclamation and training Examples of non-construction projects: Computer reclamation and training Blanket, shoe or eyeglass collection Toy or book collection Toy or book library for a school or church Books on tape for children’s hospital Education cards for third-world country clinic

What Can’t I Do? Routine labor Project for BSA, a business or an individual Fund raiser Group project (shared leadership with another Eagle candidate)

Completing the Proposal New workbook has sections for all required information Workbook is available at scouting.org Fillable pdf Must use official workbook No changes No additions No deletions

Proposal Description Leadership Materials, Supplies, Tools What will you do? Who will benefit? Leadership Crew size? Source? Difficulties? Materials, Supplies, Tools Cost estimate Project phases Logistics Safety Further planning

Approval of Proposal Organization Unit leader Committee District – must be after the other three

Detailed Project Plans Prepared after the approval of the proposal No additional approval until Board of Review Unit is encouraged to assign a project coach Registered with BSA in any position Youth Protection trained

Fund Raising Project may not be a fundraiser Funds may be raised to pay for project Beneficiary, candidate and family or unit (including parents & chartered organization) may contribute to project Other sources require a fund raising application Requires Council approval – can take at least two weeks

Project Report Prepared after conducting project Be prepared to discuss at board of review Project is evaluated on impact Extent of benefit to the religious institution, school or community, and on the leadership provided by the candidate

New Eagle Service Project Workbook Use only the fillable pdf form – note: fillable spaces are fixed, make sure the entry fits the space Fillable pdf available at: http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/512-927_fillable.pdf Major sections: Contacts (p 6) Project Proposal (pp 7-10) Final Plan (pp 11-16) Fundraising Application (pp 17-18) – required only if the project is not self-funded Project Report (pp 19-20)

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Project Proposal (pp 7-10) The proposal must show that: The project provides sufficient opportunity to meet the Eagle Scout service project requirement It appears to be feasible Safety issues will be addressed Action steps for further detailed planning are included The candidate is on the right track with a reasonable chance of a positive experience Be concise but complete – space is limited, text does not wrap, font size shrinks Items not applicable should be marked “not applicable” Project must not start until all signatures are obtained

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Final Plan (pp 11-16) To be completed after the project is approved (p 10) Although no one approves this plan, it is important in demonstrating that detail planning took place before execution Scouts and units are strongly encouraged to utilize Eagle coaches – any unit, district, or council person with knowledge of the Eagle process and willing to help the Scout think through the project and plan it Use of a coach can help prevent problems and improve your chance of passing the board of review

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Fundraising Application (pp 17-18) Not required if the project is funded entirely by the beneficiary, the Scout, his parents and relatives, his unit or chartered organization, or parents and members of the unit Any other source of funding requires this application to be filled out and submitted to the Council service center for approval – see p 18 for details

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Project Report (pp 19-20) Final report on completion of the project All sections are to be completed Requires signatures from the candidate, beneficiary and unit leader If materials or other items were not required, mark the space “not applicable”

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Common Misperceptions Minimum hours – show leadership Lasting value Registered non-profit organization – profit who serves the community Guide to Safe Scouting – BSA national Tour Permits

Questions?