1. The steps to becoming an Eagle Scout
Life to Eagle Seminar
The steps to becoming an Eagle Scout

2. In Memory of
Stuart Bergwall
Eagle Scout

3. Be Aware…….
This presentation is NOT an official publication of the Boy Scouts of America or the South Florida Council of BSA. It was prepared to assist Scouts, parents and Scout leaders. April, 2002
Original by Dr. David F. Bergwall, Member South Florida Council Advancement Committee, Updated April 2002 by the members of the South Florida Council Advancement Committee, Dr. Elliot S. Grossman, Chairman.

4. Introduction
Earning the rank of Eagle Scout is a special event. Fewer than 3% of the scouts in the South Florida Council earn this distinction each year.
In the history of the United States of America, 1,423,920 Scouts have earned the Eagle Rank. ( )

5. Eagle Scouts in South Florida
Year
Registered Scouts
Scouts Earning Eagle
1995
5,135
115
1996
5,298
110
1997
5,465
133
1998
5,646
149
1999
6,141
162
2000
4,312
148
2001
4,410

6. To Achieve the Eagle Scout Rank a Scout Must
Earn six prior Scouting Ranks
Meet 60 achievement requirements
Satisfactorily complete 1,255 different tasks
Be reviewed by adult Scouters at a unit, district, council and national level at least 70 times

7. Advancing from Life to Eagle...
...Is a journey from the beginning of a boy’s Scouting career
...Is one normal step in a boy’s Scouting career
...Is special, but not exceptionally difficult

8. Purpose of this Seminar
Review the 12 steps from Life to Eagle
Review the Requirements for Eagle Scout
Explain the procedures used in South Florida Council
Review the Eagle Service Project Requirements

9. Life and Star rank Boy Scouts Parents Scout Leaders:
Target Audiences
Life and Star rank Boy Scouts
Parents
Scout Leaders:
Scoutmasters
Advancement Chairs
Committee members

10. Your GOAL is...
…to soar as an Eagle.

11. Who Sets Eagle Requirements?
Set by BSA National Committee
South Florida Council Advancement Committee implements policies and procedures
Council Life to Eagle Chairman leads at the Council level.
District Advancement Chairman at the District level

12. The Seven Eagle Requirements (April 2002)
Be active for six months after Life rank
Live by the Scout Oath and Law
Earn 21 merit badges
Hold a position of responsibility
Complete an Eagle Service Project
Take part in a Scoutmaster conference
Successfully complete Eagle Board of Review

13. Be Aware ……..
No council, district, unit or individual has the authority to add or subtract from any BSA advancement requirements.

14. How Do I Get From Life to Eagle?
It takes 12 steps

15. 12 Steps From Life to Eagle
Complete Requirements as specified
Complete Service Project - Use workbook
Do 1&2 before 18th birthday
Fill out Eagle Scout Application Form
Obtain most current application from Council
All dates must be correct
Must be completely filled out
Copy attached to Workbook

16. 12 Steps Continued
Unit representative submits Application and Eagle Project Workbook to Council (get receipt)
Application is verified by Council within 48 hours
Council informs unit representative and District Advancement Chairman that application is ready
Board of Review is authorized
Unit representative picks up material
Board of Review arranged by District Advancement Chairman

17. 12 Steps Continued Board of Review is held
Board of Review signs-off if the candidate is passed
Application and Document for requirement #6 is taken to Council for processing and include the Advancement Form
Application sent to National which verifies and authorizes award (6 weeks)

18. Soar as an EAGLE...

19. Requirement 1 Be Active
Be active in your troop, team, or crew for a period of at least six months after you achieve the rank of Life Scout.
Any six month period, not necessarily consecutive
Use Troop standard for active as long as it is stated and known

20. Requirement 2 Live by Oath & Law
Demonstrate that you live by the principles of the Scout Oath and Law in your daily life.

21. Live by the Scout Oath and Law
This is not Troop Spirit
This is not wearing the uniform
This is about “everyday life”
Do you abide by the principles of the Oath and Law?
Ask individuals if you can list them as a reference for your Eagle Application

22. Requirement 3 Earn 21 Merit Badges
Earn a total of 21 merit badges (10 more than you already have), including the following:
First Aid
Citizenship in the Community
Citizenship in the Nation
Citizenship in the World
Communications
Personal Fitness

23. Earn 21 Merit Badges, Continued ...
Emergency Preparedness OR Lifesaving, (You must choose only one of these two merit badges. If you have earned more than one of the badges listed, choose one and list the remaining badge to make your total of 21)
Environmental Science
Personal Management
Swimming OR Hiking OR Cycling, (You must choose only one of these three merit badges. If you have earned more than one of the badges listed, choose one and list the remaining badges to make your total of 21)
Camping
Family Life

24. What About the Badges Our Troop Requires?
No district, unit or individual has the authority to add to, or to subtract from, advancement requirements.
Any ten additional merit badges means any ten additional merit badges!

25. Merit badges must be... Approved in advance by the unit leader
Earned with approved merit badge counselors
Reported to Council by the Unit representative
KEEP YOUR MERIT BADGE ADVANCEMENT CARDS - They are proof!

26. Merit Badges and Scouts with Disabilities
There are special exceptions for Scouts with disabilities
Contact the District Advancement Chairman for guidance

27. Requirement 4 Position of Responsibility
While a Life Scout, serve actively for a period of six months in one or more qualified positions of responsibility. List only those positions served after your Life board of review date.

28. Boy Scout Troop Eligible Positions
Patrol leader
Assistant senior patrol leader
Senior patrol leader
Troop guide
Order of the Arrow troop representative
Den chief
Venture crew chief
Scribe
Librarian
Historian
Quartermaster
Junior assistant Scoutmaster
Chaplain aide
Instructor
Varsity team captain

29. Varsity Scout Team Eligible Positions
Captain
Co-captain
Program manager
Squad leader
Team secretary
Order of the Arrow troop representative
Librarian
Historian
Quartermaster
Chaplain aide
Instructor
Den chief

30. Venturing Positions of Leadership
President
Vice-President Administration
Vice-President Program
Treasurer
Secretary
Boatswain
Boatswain’s mate
Yoeman
Purser
Storekeeper

31. Serve Actively in your Position of Responsibility...
You will be asked to demonstrate that you have actually done your best to fill this position. It is not enough to merely be elected to the position
You do not have to hold one position for six months
You do not have to hold the position for six consecutive months
You may meet this requirement any time while a Life Scout

32. Performance in the Position of Responsibility
A Scout may not be held to an extraordinary standard of performance
The standard of performance used to measure this requirement shall be the same as that applied to other Star, Life or Eagle Scout candidates

33. Performance in the Position of Responsibility
Each unit shall have a clearly prescribed standard of performance that is known to each of its Scouts
Otherwise, the Eagle candidate shall be presumed to have satisfactorily fulfilled this requirement
Unit leaders may not expect any Scout to meet an undefined or unknown standard of performance

34. Requirement 5 Eagle Service Project
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.
Much more on this later.

35. Requirement 6 Scoutmaster Conference
Take part in a Scoutmaster conference with your unit leader
A Scoutmaster conference is a positive experience, the objective of which is to help a Scout evaluate his accomplishments and set new goals
A Scoutmaster conference may be conducted any time after achieving the rank of Life Scout. You do not need to wait until all other requirements for Eagle Scout have been completed

36. Scoutmaster Conference
A Scoutmaster conference may be conducted at the request of an Eagle candidate, or be initiated by the unit leader
When there is a reason to believe that an Eagle candidate will not be qualified to achieve the Eagle Scout award within the six month period prior to his eighteenth birthday, the unit leader is obligated to initiate a counseling session, on a timely basis, so as to give the Eagle candidate every reasonable opportunity to become qualified

37. What if I have a problem? Get HELP:
Talk to your Scoutmaster or Venture Crew Advisor
Talk to your advancement chairperson
Talk to your committee chairperson
Talk to your District Advancement Chairperson

38. Having a Problem?
What can I do if I am having a problem with my Scoutmaster or other adult leader?

39. Having a Problem continued
All Scouts have the right to appeal any decision
If you think you are not being treated fairly or that you are being held to extraordinary standards, contact the district advancement chairperson or the district chairperson
Do not delay, the more promptly problems can be resolved the better

40. Requirement 7- Board of Review
3 to 6 members over 21 years - One member may be appointed by the troop committee chairman of the unit from which the Eagle candidate originates. Remaining to 2 to 5 members, including the Eagle board chairman, shall be appointed by the district advancement chairman
Unanimous decision
If the candidate is not approved then an appeal process is available

41. Keep your eye
on your goal...

42. Requirement 5 again Eagle Service Project
While a Life Scout, plan, develop, and give leadership to others in a service project helpful to any religious institution, school, or your community.

43. Start planning as soon as you reach Life rank …
You may start planning your Eagle Scout Service Project just as soon after achieving the rank of Life Scout as is practical
All work on your Eagle service project must be undertaken while you are a Life Scout and completed before your eighteenth birthday

44. Eagle Project Requirements
Significant effort
Measurable goals or defined objective
Thoughtfully planned and developed
Opportunity for you to give leadership to others
Performed for a qualified beneficiary

45. 1. Your project must be a significant effort.
A service normally rendered is not an acceptable for your Eagle service project
There is no minimum or maximum number of volunteers, or hours of work, needed to carry out your Eagle service project
The definition of significant effort will vary based on the candidate’s abilities

46. You must do your own project.
A candidate may not use his participation in the service project of another Eagle candidate to satisfy the Eagle service project requirement
You may not copy or otherwise share your responsibilities for planning, developing or providing leadership to others

47. 2. Have Measurable Goals.
You should measurably set forth the goal or define the objective of your Eagle service project
Measurement helps show the significance of the effort
Your goals will be used by the board of review to evaluate your project

48. 3. Plan, Develop, Carry Out
You are expected to "....plan, develop and give leadership to others..."
Determine what kinds and quantities of materials and/or supplies are needed
Their costs and how they will be acquired,
Keep accurate inventory records and a log of work activities
Manage the resources and, purposefully direct the project to its completion

49. What if things go wrong?
Even the best planned activities sometimes need change. You will not necessarily be penalized if you had to vary from your plan. On the other hand, if your project did not substantially follow your plan, then have you truly demonstrated the leadership skills expected of an Eagle Scout?

50. 4. Opportunity to Show Leadership
The board of review will expect your Eagle service project to be helpful and of significance to the beneficiary for whom it is undertaken
It must have been sufficient to have demonstrated your leadership skills

51. Who can help?
Other scouts, family, friends and classmates of any age or type may volunteer; they do not have to be scouts
You should recruit, train, organize and schedule the personnel needed

52. What about adult supervision?
An Eagle service project is not an official unit activity, therefore, neither adult supervision nor a local tour permit are required.
Proper planning, however, includes preparing for appropriate adult participation and safety concerns.

53. 5. A qualified beneficiary
Service to others is an important philosophy to the Eagle service project. Therefore, your Eagle service project must be done outside of Scouting
Projects can not be done for your troop, or the District
You can do a project for your troop sponsor if it meets other requirements

54. 5. A qualified beneficiary, continued
Your Eagle service project may not be performed for a business, or be of a commercial nature, or be a fund-raiser
Fund raising is permitted only for the purpose of acquiring the materials and supplies needed to carry out your project

55. 5. A qualified beneficiary, continued
Your Eagle service project may be performed for the benefit of any religious institution, any school or your community
A community organization is defined as any government agency, or an institution qualified, under Section 501(c)3 of the US Internal Revenue Code, as a not-for-profit charitable, educational or religious organization

56. What your Beneficiary wants
Your Eagle service project must conform to the wishes of those for whom it is undertaken
The detailed plan for your Eagle service project must be approved by and a signature obtained from a proper official of the beneficiary, before it is submitted to your Scoutmaster, troop committee or the district advancement committee

57. Eagle Project
Some examples

58. "Develop a ten mile Historical Trail to benefit the Historical Society of Deerfield Beach"
This example is a worthy project because it is a significant effort, with a measurable goal and a defined objective, that requires thoughtful planning & development, provides an Eagle candidate with an adequate opportunity to provide leadership to others, and is undertaken for a qualified beneficiary.

59. "Develop a new hiking trail at BSA Camp Seminole"
This example is not an acceptable project because it does not set forth a measurable goal, and is to be performed for an unqualified beneficiary

60. "Install 1,000 Sea Oat plants and rehabilitate the beaches of Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, from the effects of shoreline erosion"
This example is a worthy project because it is a significant effort, with a measurable goal and a defined objective, that requires thoughtful planning & development, provides an Eagle candidate with an adequate opportunity to provide leadership to others, and is undertaken for a qualified beneficiary,

61. "Clean up and remove the trash at Crandon Park"
This example is not an acceptable project because it is not an extraordinary effort, does not set forth a measurable goal, requires no meaningful planning or development, and can be performed by an Eagle candidate without any need to give leadership to others

62. Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook
Use the Workbook …
You may use the Eagle Service Project Workbook in meeting this requirement.
Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook No

63. Workbook Sections Cover page Plan Name, Unit, District
Identify beneficiary
Describe project broadly

64. Workbook Sections, continued
Develop
Create a detailed plan
Material, time, labor
Leadership
Carry out
Describe results
Show logs of your efforts
What happened

65. Workbook Signature Page
Before you can start the Eagle project
Scoutmaster
Beneficiary
Troop Committee Chair
District Advancement Chair
After the project is completed
Only you sign

66. Complete the Eagle Award Application
Fill it out completely
List references as requested
Be sure all dates are correct
Include unit numbers for merit badges
List only 21 merit badges
Complete and sign the back side
Attach to your project workbook

67. Your Life Ambitions
Attach to your Eagle Scout Award 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 any honors and awards received during this service.

68. Eagles are always alert to what is
happening...

69. The Dreaded 18Th Birthday Problem

70. If You Are 17 PAY ATTENTION

71. Your 18th Birthday!!
Most people receive about 18 years advanced warning of the date on which they will turn 18. It is not an emergency or an unexpected event.
You know the date.

72. You Must Do the Following BEFORE Your 18Th Birthday:
Complete all your merit badges
Complete your Eagle Service Project
Complete your Scoutmaster conference
Be active as a Life Scout for six months
Serve actively in a position of responsibility for six months while a Life Scout

73. You CAN DO the Following AFTER Your 18Th Birthday.
Submit your final Eagle Scout Application
Have your Eagle Scout Board of Review
Have your Eagle Court of Honor

74. Can I Get a Time Extension to Complete My Eagle?

75. But... Can I Get an Extension?
You may file a petition in writing for special permission to continue to work toward the award after reaching age 18
But...

76. Extensions...
The petition must show good and sufficient evidence and detail extenuating circumstances
Extenuating circumstances are defined as conditions or situations that are totally beyond the control of the Scout or Explorer

77. If You Are Almost 18... Work hard to complete your requirements
Talk to your leaders NOW so that they can help you and warn you of problems
Remember that adult leaders have busy lives. Don’t ask a leader to give up a vacation because you forgot your 18th birthday
Know your deadlines in advance

78. In summary ...

79. Your GOAL is..
…to soar as an Eagle

80. Keep your eye
on your goal...

81. Accomplish your goal...

82. Plan Ahead and You Will
Soar as an EAGLE...