Trail to Eagle

Earning the rank of Eagle Scout is just about the most significant accomplishments a boy can make. The fact that a boy is an Eagle Scout has always carried with it a special significance, not only in Scouting but also as he enters higher education, business or industry and community service. Eagle Scouts are considered leaders, both in Scouting and in their community.  An Eagle is an achiever who will always do great things. An Eagle is a leader who will always be ahead of the group. Society will always expect much from an Eagle, and he will deliver.

Some famous Eagle Scouts who have delivered include:

• Neil Armstrong: Astronaut, first man on moon.
• Michael Bloomberg: Mayor of New York City, founder of Bloomberg News.
• Michael Dukakis: Governor of Massachusetts, presidential candidate.
• Gerald Ford: U.S. President (First Eagle to be President).
• James Lovell: Navy pilot and astronaut, President of National Eagle Scout Association. Flew on Gemini 7, 12 & Apollo 8, 13 (At one time, he had seen more sunrises than any other human being).
• H. Ross Perot: Self-made billionaire and presidential candidate.
• Donald Rumsfeld: Secretary of Defense.
• Steven Spielberg: Movie director and producer (Mr. Spielberg made a movie of his troop while getting Photography merit badge and helped to design requirements for the Cinematography merit badge.)
• Sam Walton: Founder, Wal-Mart.

Not every boy who joins a Boy Scout Troop earns the Eagle Scout rank; only about 5 percent of all Boy Scouts do so. This represents more than 1.7 million Boy Scouts who have earned the rank since 1912. However, the goals of Scouting — citizenship training, character development, and personal fitness — remain important for all Scouts, whether or not they attain the Eagle Scout rank.

The award is a performance-based achievement whose standards have been well-maintained over the years. The trail to Eagle Scout requires commitment to stay on a long and sometime rough path. As a Life Scout, you are just one step away from youth’s most significant accomplishment and honor.

To earn Eagle rank, Scouts must do the following:

• Earn four additional required and six additional elective merit badges.
• Plan, develop, and provide leadership for a community service project.
• Serve actively in a leadership position and be active in their Troop/Patrol for at least six months.
• Demonstrate Scout Spirit.
• Complete an "EAGLE APPLICATION" form.
• Participate in a Scoutmaster's Conference.

You can make your last few steps to Eagle go smoother if you do a little homework along the way. This is the Paper Trail. Collect, write, and keep the following records up to date:

• Date you earned each merit badge (12 Eagle badges and 9 other badges). If you don’t have complete records, the Advancement Chair has these dates.
• Dates you held all leadership positions since earning Life (write in your Boy Scout Handbook).
• Eagle Service Project Workbook. This is required by BSA before you begin your service project! Make sure you fill it in and get all the needed signatures.
• Eagle Scout Application.
• Letter of Recommendation form to give each letter writer.
• Letters of Recommendation.

Except under very special circumstances, the requirements for the rank of Eagle Scout must be completed before the Scout reaches his eighteenth birthday. It is the responsibility of the Scout to fulfill the requirements for this rank. The Scoutmaster and the Advancement Chair provide assistance to any Life Scout who wishes to make the journey to Eagle.

Remember, Scouting is not a race, but a journey. Being an Eagle Scout is the goal at the end of the journey. Some Scouts move swiftly to reach the goal while most take several years to reach this accomplishment.

See Also

• Rank Advancement
• Eagle Requirements
• Eagle Service Project
• Eagle Application
• Eagle Board of Review
• Eagle Court of Honor