Life to Eagle Seminar

The steps to becoming an Eagle Scout

In Memory ofStuart Bergwall

Eagle Scout

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.

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. (1912-1996)

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 4,410 149

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

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

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

Target Audiences

Life and Star rank Boy ScoutsParentsScout Leaders:

• Scoutmasters

• Advancement Chairs

• Committee members

Your GOAL is...

…to soar as an Eagle.

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

The Seven Eagle Requirements (April 2002)

1. Be active for six months after Life rank2. Live by the Scout Oath and Law3. Earn 21 merit badges4. Hold a position of responsibility5. Complete an Eagle Service Project6. Take part in a Scoutmaster conference7. Successfully complete Eagle Board of

Review

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

Be Aware ……..

How Do I Get From Life to Eagle?

It takes 12 steps

12 Steps From Life to Eagle

1. Complete Requirements as specified2. Complete Service Project - Use

workbook3. Do 1&2 before 18th birthday4. 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

12 Steps Continued

5. Unit representative submits Application and Eagle Project Workbook to Council (get receipt)

6. 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

7. Unit representative picks up material8. Board of Review arranged by District

Advancement Chairman

12 Steps Continued

9. Board of Review is held

10. Board of Review signs-off if the candidate is passed

11. Application and Document for requirement #6 is taken to Council for processing and include the Advancement Form

12. Application sent to National which verifies and authorizes award (6 weeks)

Soar as an EAGLE...

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

Requirement 2Live by Oath & Law

Demonstrate that you live by the principles of the Scout Oath and Law in your daily life.

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

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

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

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!

Merit badges must be...

Approved in advance by the unit leader Earned with approved merit badge

counselors Reported to Council by the Unit

representativeKEEP YOUR MERIT BADGE ADVANCEMENT CARDS - They are proof!

Merit Badges and Scouts with Disabilities

There are special exceptions for Scouts with disabilities

Contact the District Advancement Chairman for guidance

Requirement 4Position 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

What if I have a problem?

Get HELP:

1. Talk to your Scoutmaster or Venture Crew Advisor

2. Talk to your advancement chairperson

3. Talk to your committee chairperson

4. Talk to your District Advancement Chairperson

Having a Problem?

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

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

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

Keep your eyeon your goal...

Requirement 5 againEagle 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.

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

Eagle Project Requirements

1. Significant effort

2. Measurable goals or defined objective

3. Thoughtfully planned and developed

4. Opportunity for you to give leadership to others

5. Performed for a qualified beneficiary

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

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

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

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

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?

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

Eagle Project

Some examples

"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.

"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

"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,

"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

Use the Workbook …

You may use the Eagle Service Project Workbook in meeting this requirement.

Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook

No. 18-927

Workbook Sections

Cover page• Name, Unit, District

Plan• Identify beneficiary

• Describe project broadly

Workbook Sections, continued

Develop• Create a detailed plan

• Material, time, labor

• Leadership

Carry out• Describe results

• Show logs of your efforts

• What happened

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

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

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.

Your Life Ambitions

Eagles are always alert to what ishappening...

The Dreaded 18Th Birthday Problem

If You Are 17 PAY ATTENTION

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.

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

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

Can I Get a Time Extension to

Complete My Eagle?

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...

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

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

In summary ...

Your GOAL is..

…to soar as an Eagle

Keep your eyeon your goal...

Accomplish your goal...

Plan Ahead and You WillSoar as an EAGLE...