1. The Trail from Life to Eagle
Dan Beard Council

2. Requirements Six months active service Scout spirit 21 merit badges
Leadership
Service project
Scoutmaster conference
Board of review

3. Changes in the Trail
Two recent publications have caused the biggest changes in over twenty years
As of January 1, 2012, must be using new requirements unless all approvals were obtained by December 31, 2011

4. New Publications Guide to Advancement 2011
Eagle Scout Project Planning Workbook

5. New Project Requirement
“Proposal must be approved…before you start.”
Project workbook broken into three phases:
Proposal
Detailed planning
Final report

6. Sources of Ideas Scoutmaster Troop Committee Newspaper Local parks
Churches
Schools
Community leaders
The best projects are the ones in which the scouts have a personal interest

7. Examples of recent Eagle construction projects:
What Can I Do?
Examples of recent Eagle construction projects:
Concrete, paver and stone work
Patios and paths
Fencing and handrails
Fire ring/prayer circle
Hiking and nature trails
Landscaping – removal, renovation
Garden and raised beds
Sprinkler systems
Compost bins
Mulching and weed barriers
Signage and marking for trails, plants, trees
Props for plays
Playground equipment – assembly and refurbishing
Historical building restoration
Shelves and space organizers
Benches, work tables
Mailboxes
Shelters
Bulletin boards
Drywall and painting
Bird/bat houses
Ponds and wildlife observation
environments
Steps – wood, stone
Drainage, retaining walls
Steps on a trail or building
Water bars on a trail
ADA-compliant entrance ramps
Bridges and handrails
Erosion control

8. What can I do? Computer reclamation and training
Examples of non-construction projects:
Computer reclamation and training
Blanket, shoe or eyeglass collection
Toy or book collection
Toy or book library for a school or church
Books on tape for children’s hospital
Education cards for third-world country clinic

9. What Can’t I Do? Routine labor
Project for BSA, a business or an individual
Fund raiser
Group project (shared leadership with another Eagle candidate)

10. Completing the Proposal
New workbook has sections for all required information
Workbook is available at scouting.org
Fillable pdf
Must use official workbook
No changes
No additions
No deletions

11. Proposal Description Leadership Materials, Supplies, Tools
What will you do?
Who will benefit?
Leadership
Crew size?
Source?
Difficulties?
Materials, Supplies, Tools
Cost estimate
Project phases
Logistics
Safety
Further planning

12. Approval of Proposal Organization Unit leader Committee
District – must be after the other three

13. Detailed Project Plans
Prepared after the approval of the proposal
No additional approval until Board of Review
Unit is encouraged to assign a project coach
Registered with BSA in any position
Youth Protection trained

14. Fund Raising Project may not be a fundraiser
Funds may be raised to pay for project
Beneficiary, candidate and family or unit (including parents & chartered organization) may contribute to project
Other sources require a fund raising application
Requires Council approval – can take at least two weeks

15. Project Report Prepared after conducting project
Be prepared to discuss at board of review
Project is evaluated on impact
Extent of benefit to the religious institution, school or community, and on the leadership provided by the candidate

16. New Eagle Service Project Workbook
Use only the fillable pdf form – note: fillable spaces are fixed, make sure the entry fits the space
Fillable pdf available at:
Major sections:
Contacts (p 6)
Project Proposal (pp 7-10)
Final Plan (pp 11-16)
Fundraising Application (pp 17-18) – required only if the project is not self-funded
Project Report (pp 19-20)

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19. Project Proposal (pp 7-10)
The proposal must show that:
The project provides sufficient opportunity to meet the Eagle Scout service project requirement
It appears to be feasible
Safety issues will be addressed
Action steps for further detailed planning are included
The candidate is on the right track with a reasonable chance of a positive experience
Be concise but complete – space is limited, text does not wrap, font size shrinks
Items not applicable should be marked “not applicable”
Project must not start until all signatures are obtained

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23. Final Plan (pp 11-16)
To be completed after the project is approved (p 10)
Although no one approves this plan, it is important in demonstrating that detail planning took place before execution
Scouts and units are strongly encouraged to utilize Eagle coaches – any unit, district, or council person with knowledge of the Eagle process and willing to help the Scout think through the project and plan it
Use of a coach can help prevent problems and improve your chance of passing the board of review

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29. Fundraising Application (pp 17-18)
Not required if the project is funded entirely by the beneficiary, the Scout, his parents and relatives, his unit or chartered organization, or parents and members of the unit
Any other source of funding requires this application to be filled out and submitted to the Council service center for approval – see p 18 for details

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32. Project Report (pp 19-20) Final report on completion of the project
All sections are to be completed
Requires signatures from the candidate, beneficiary and unit leader
If materials or other items were not required, mark the space “not applicable”

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35. Common Misperceptions
Minimum hours – show leadership
Lasting value
Registered non-profit organization – profit who serves the community
Guide to Safe Scouting – BSA national
Tour Permits

36. Questions?