Life to Eagle
The Final Step
Welcome to the most exciting and difficult step in Scouting. As you read this manual, you will most likely reflect on the many hours spent in preparation for this final stage in your Scouting career. For some, this is the most challenging part, focusing on the necessary steps to complete the requirements, the Eagle Project, the paperwork, and the application. This very well could be the most difficult experience a Scout can face, both inside and outside of Scouting.
This guidebook has been developed to educate and facilitate, allowing both parents and Scouts the ability to understand the expectations necessary to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout. If used properly, a Scout may very well use this manual to produce an Eagle Scout notebook that will be kept as an heirloom to share with others. Whatever the case may be, each Scout earning the rank of Eagle should feel a great deal of accomplishment, and that can only happen if the process is challenging and educational.
Please read this manual in its entirety prior to attending your Life to Eagle Scoutmaster meeting. During the presentation, you will be better prepared for the structure and the execution of the various steps. Most importantly, do not simply skim these pages in hopes that your parents will fill in the blanks. Each Scout must complete the Eagle Rank on his own without significant involvement from the parents.
Done correctly, The Final Step will be the most rewarding achievement for years to come. Many, if not all, Eagle Scouts still have their Scout uniform well into the later years of their lives and almost all Eagle Scouts consider the Eagle rank to be their most treasured accomplishment.
So get comfortable, find the time to read through the details in this manual, and envision yourself standing on the stage achieving your Eagle award, the highest, most sought after rank in Scouting.
John Bone
Eagle Scout
Scoutmaster, Troop 641
The Life to Eagle Meeting
In order to qualify for the Final Step in Scouting, a Scout must first attend the Scoutmaster Life to Eagle meeting, held once in the Spring and once in the Fall. This meeting will allow each Scout to begin his process without the uncertainty of an incomplete application.
An Eagle Scout candidate must:
- Complete the required Merit Badges
- Complete the Positions of Responsibility
- Complete the Eagle Project
- Complete the Eagle Scout Application
- Complete the Eagle Scout Scoutmaster Conference
- Complete the Eagle Scout Committee Chair Meeting
- Submit the Eagle Scout Application and Notebook to the Eagle Scout Coordinator
- Send out Reference Letters for the Eagle Scout Coordinator
- Wait for approval from National and SHAC
- Sit for the Eagle Scout Board of Review
The Eagle Scout Project
While a Life Scout, a Scout interested in achieving the rank of Eagle must plan, develop and provide leadership to others in a Service Project, helpful to any religious institution, school or your community. While Scouts do not have to wait until all merit badges are completed to begin work on their project, the Scoutmaster has the discretion to decide whether or not a Scout is ready to begin his Eagle Project. In addition, the Scoutmaster must approve of all Eagle Projects prior to any planning.
The objective in completing the Eagle Project is learning how to follow instructions, executing and plan, and delegating to others the necessary duties to complete the project on time and within budget. Listed below are guidelines to assist you in planning and executing your project. Read carefully to become familiar with the aspects of this document, but make a list of questions before coming to your first meeting so you already have a good idea of what type of project you would like to do.
Your communication skills are essential in completing your Eagle Scout Project. Make sure you document every conversation and please do not rely on email as your only form of communication. Personal phone conversations are still the best way to convey an idea and confirm understanding. All paperwork will be typed via a computer. No handwritten papers will be accepted.
The Eagle Scout project is the “Scout’s” Project. The role of the parents is to provide guidance, encouragement, advice and assistance only. The active participation is to be completed by the Scout making it imperative for all parents to allow the process to work with the Scoutmaster and the Scout. All discussions, questions and any other communication will be between the Scout and the Scout leaders.
Finally, the Eagle Scout Project is a culmination of the Scouting experience. All the skills learned throughout the Scout’s experience should be displayed while completing the Eagle Scout Project and Application. Once completed, a Scout should feel the joy of completing a difficult project, plus gratification of a Project that benefits a worthy cause.
Necessary Steps:
- Attend Life to Eagle meeting with Scoutmaster
- Identify a potential project
- Discuss with Scoutmaster
- Receive approval from institution
- Meet with Eagle Scout Coordinator
- Begin work on Eagle Project notebook
- Schedule Project dates
- Complete Project
- Complete Analysis of Project
- Submit Final Paperwork
More Information
For more information, please see the Sam Houston Area Council From Life to Eagle page.
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