Eagle's Nest

Requirements

Be active in your Troop for a period of at six months after you have achieved the rank of Life Scout.

While this may seem as easy, the operative part of the requirement is to be active. It goes beyond just being registered. It means that you are an active, contributing member of your unit. This time is also your window to accomplish all the other requirements. You may wish to take more than six months to complete requirements, but it is essential that you not delay in establishing AND writing down your plan to accomplish all the requirements.

Demonstrate that you live by the principles of the Scout Oath and Law in your daily life. List the names of individuals who know you personally and would be willing to provide a recommendation on your behalf.

Any candidate of Eagle quality should have no problem with this. Simply list people who know you well. Try to get a varied selection by choosing people from different areas of your life â€” a teacher, an employer, a coach, a family member. Since a Scout is reverent, you should consider including a religious reference.

Earn a total of 21 merit badges. List the month, day, and year the merit badge was earned.

The 12 required merit badges are Camping; Citizenship in the Community; Citizenship in the Nation; Citizenship in the World; Communications; Emergency Preparedness or Lifesaving; Environmental Science; First Aid; Cycling or Hiking or Swimming; Personal Management; Personal Fitness; Family Life. If you still have merit badges to complete, lay out a plan to get the toughest done first (and in time), and plan the fun ones for the last.

The date earned for the merit badge is the actual day the merit badge counselor signed and dated your merit badge card. Do not use the date you received it at your Court of Honor. The Advancement Chairman can help you with dates if you do not have complete records.

While a Life Scout, serve actively for a period of six months in one or more of the following positions of responsibility. List only those positions served after Life Board of Review date.

Make sure your plan includes a position of responsibility. If it is not currently possible for you to be in an elected to an office (for example, Troop elections won't be held for a while), talk to the Scoutmaster; he may have positions that can be assigned.

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 idea must be approved by your Scoutmaster and Troop Committee and by the council or district before you start. You must use the Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project Workbook, No. 18-927, in meeting this requirement.

Attach to the Eagle Scout 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 honors and awards received during this service. Take part in a Scoutmaster Conference with your Scoutmaster.

Your statement is excellent opportunity for you to tell members of your Board of Review what you do outside Scouting. The statement will reveal who you have become in several ways. Scouts who have been successful in Scouting will find it has spread to other areas of their life. This is especially true of Eagle candidates, since you have actually developed character which demonstrates the Scout Oath and Law in everything you do. List all the various awards and honors you've achieved along the way. These may be a medal, plaque, or certificate, but could also be a different type of honor. For example, the honor might be a letter from a principal or volunteer organization recognizing your contributions. Or perhaps it is a newspaper article mentioning you.

Next is the Scoutmaster Conference. Remember are applying for the highest honor available from the Boy Scouts of America. You should be prepared beyond Scoutmasterâ€™s expectations. Make sure you have completed all the requirements and have everything ready for him to review. You might want to talk to him ahead of time to see what is expected in the way of documentation when you have the conference (such as, are you expected to have everything completely written and ready to turn in). Remember, this conference must occur prior to your 18th birthday.