1. Eagle Palms Life to Eagle Trail
Monmouth Council Advancement Team
November 4th 2017
Anthony Buccigrossi

2. What is an Eagle Palm? Eagle Scout is not the end but a beginning.
Eagle Palms are not a rank but an award
Requirements include earning 5 additional Merit Badges than those required for the Eagle Scout rank

3. History of the Eagle Palm
First awarded in 1927
Represent additional advancement for a young man who had stayed active in his unit after achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. A Palm was awarded when the Scout :
was active in the unit for at least three months since attaining Eagle (or a previous Palm);
had demonstrated Scout Spirit, leadership and ability;
had earned five additional merit badges beyond those required for Eagle or the last Palm;
had taken part in a conference with his unit leader.
Merit badges which the young man earned before reaching Eagle Scout were acceptable to use towards earning Palms.

4. Changes to the Palm Process – Aug 1st 2017
Scouts can now earn Eagle Palms as soon as they earn the rank of Eagle Scout (no more waiting 3 months)
Changes summarized:
eliminated the Eagle Palm board of review,
expanded the definition of participation
all earned Eagle Palms can be awarded at Eagle Court of Honor
Changes Detailed:
Eagle Scouts can instantly receive all Eagle Palms earned for merit badges completed before becoming an Eagle Scout at their Eagle Court of Honor.
The three-month tenure requirement has been expanded to allow active participation in any BSA program to include participation in Order of the Arrow, summer camp staff, patrol and troop activities, etc.
The leadership requirement has been broadened to include “accepting responsibility” and “demonstrating leadership”.
Eagle Palm board of reviews have been eliminated.

5. Changes to the Palm Process – Oct 1st 2017
Same requirements as Aug. 1, PLUS all current Scouts who completed their Eagle board of review and who had not passed their 18th birthday before August 1, 2017 are entitled as well.
Example
- On May 1st a 17 year old Scout passed his Eagle Board of Review. At the time of his Board of Review he had 36 merit badges.
Before the Jun 2nd announced, Aug 1st implemented change he would have needed to wait until Feb 1st 2018 to get his:
Bronze (Aug 1st), Gold (Nov 1st), Silver (Feb 1st) palms
After the announced, Oct 1st refinement that same Eagle Scout can get his Gold and Silver palms effective immediately

6. For More Information Guide to Advancement
For District & and Council advancement
Websites / Blogs
Q: There are 3 silver palms on the Eagle medal depicted.
1- If the Eagle Scout received these palms before he turned 18, how many Merit Badges would he have had to earn before sitting for his Eagle Board of Review?
2- Assuming the Scout earned 21 Merit Badges before his EBOR, how long would he have had to remain in the program to earn his 3 silver palms?
More importantly, what’s the oldest he could have been to earn his Eagle and still get 3 silver palms? A:
1- 56 (21+45)
2- 27 months OR 15 years, 9 months AND have earned 45 badges in 2 years, 3 months

7. NAT - Internet Advancement
Q: Palms can be an important part of keeping a Scout involved in Scouting after they have earned Eagle Scout rank. Do the new requirements eliminate any incentive for them to stay in the program?
A: The new requirements provide recognition for the work a Scout has already done while providing the opportunity for Scouts who have time before their 18th birthday to earn additional Palms. Eagle Palms are only one small part of an exciting and engaging program which is what really keeps Eagle Scouts motivated to stay active in Scouting.
Questions?