Eagle Scout is the highest rank attainable in the Scouts BSA program by the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). Since its inception in 1911, only four percent of Scouts have earned this rank after a lengthy review process. The Eagle Scout rank has been earned by over 2.5 million youth.
Those who have earned the rank of Eagle Scout also become eligible, although are not required, to join the National Eagle Scout Association.
Fun Fact: Did you know that being an Eagle Scout is recognized by the United States Military? Upon graduation from Basic Training in the USAF, USMC, US Army, or US Navy, an Eagle Scout is advanced to E-2. Be sure to tell your recruiter that you are an Eagle Scout!
Requirements
- Be active in your troop for at least six months as a Life Scout.
- As a Life Scout, demonstrate Scout Spirit by living the Scout Oath and Scout Law. Tell how you have done your duty to God, how you have lived the Scout Oath and Scout Law in your everyday life, and how your understanding of the Scout Oath and Scout Law will guide your life in the future. List on your Eagle Scout Rank Application the names of individuals who know you personally and would be willing to provide a recommendation on your behalf, including parents/guardians, religious (if not affiliated with an organized religion, then the parent or guardian provides this reference), educational, employer (if employed), and two other references.
- Earn a total of 21 merit badges (10 more than required for the Life rank), including these 14 merit badges:
- First Aid
- Citizenship in the Community
- Citizenship in the Nation
- Citizenship in Society
- Citizenship in the World
- Communication
- Cooking
- Personal Fitness
- Emergency Preparedness OR Lifesaving
- Environmental Science OR Sustainability,
- Personal Management
- Swimming OR Hiking OR Cycling
- Camping
- Family Life
- While a Life Scout, serve actively in your troop for six months in one or more of the following positions of responsibility:
- Scout Troop: Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Senior Patrol Leader, Troop Guide, Order of the Arrow Troop Representative, Den Chief, Scribe, Librarian, Historian, Quartermaster, Junior Assistant Scoutmaster, Chaplain Aide, Instructor, Webmaster or Outdoor Ethics Guide
- Venturing crew/Sea Scout Ship: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Quartermaster, Historian, Den Chief, Guide, Boatswain, Boatswain's Mate, Yeoman, Purser, Storekeeper, Chaplain Aide, Outdoor Ethics Guide, Crew Leader, Media Specialist or Webmaster
- Lone Scout: Leadership responsibility in your school, religious organization, club or elsewhere in your community.
- 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. The project must benefit an organization other than the Boy Scouts of America. A project proposal must be approved by the organization benefiting from the effort, your Scoutmaster and unit committee, and the council or district before you start. You must use the Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook in meeting this requirement. To learn more about the Eagle Scout service project, see the Guide to Advancement, topics 9.0.2.0 through 9.0.2.16.
Project Approvals
- When the Scout has a project ready for District review, the Troop Eagle Advisor or Unit Leader should ensure the Scout has completed the "Eagle Scout Service Project Proposal".
- You can access the online version of this form by going to the HOAC web site. Click Here
- The completed proposal must be reviewed by the Troop leadership and have all three of the required signatures (Unit Leader, Unit Committee and Beneficiary).
- For comments and approval by the District, the Scout needs to bring their signed and approved "Eagle Scout Service Project Proposal" in a three-ring binder on the fourth Thursday of each month to:
- Calvary Baptist Church
- 900 NW 22nd St
- Blue Springs, MO 64015
- It is recommended that the Scout bring their "Eagle Scout Service Project Proposal" between 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
Eagle Board of Review
- When the Scout completes their service project and all other requirements for Eagle, the Scout completes the Eagle Scout Rank Application. The Scout then takes the Eagle Scout Rank Application to the Council Office for final review, approval, and signature.
- The Scout will complete their written statement of life ambitions and obtain reference letters from: parent; religious leader; principal or educator; two other references; and employer, if applicable. Please click on the link to access this form Life to Eagle Reference Letter.
The reference letters are to be collected by the Troop Eagle Advisor or Troop Committee to make sure that they are in a sealed envelope. Please mark each envelope with the Scouts name, Troop number and who the reference letter is from, i.e. parent, educator, etc. The Eagle Scout Candidate should NOT read these letters.
- The Eagle Advisor or Troop Committee gathers all paperwork (Eagle Application, completed and signed Eagle Service Project Workbook, Certificate Return form, life ambitions and recommendation letters) and contacts the District Eagle Advisor.
- The District Eagle Advisor will review all paperwork and will set up a time for the Eagle Board of Review on the fourth Thursday of each month at 6:00pm at:
- Calvary Baptist Church
- 900 NW 22nd St
- Blue Springs, MO 64015
- The troop will provide at least three individuals that are not the Scouts Parents/relatives or Direct Contact Leader for the set time of the Eagle Board of Review.
Note: Please make sure that you are using the current forms mentioned above.
Eagle Scout Resources
If you have any questions on the correct date of a form, please contact Craig Jones.
Eagle Boards of Review/Project Approval Team
- Craig Jones
- Sue Shirk
- Joe Mowry
- Dr. Tim Meng
- Gordon Taylor
- Eric Knipp
- Danny Miller
- Larry Niederschulte
- Richard Day
- Tim Enke
- Phillip Davis
For more information or questions, please contact Blue Elk District Advancement Chair, Phillip Davis.