There are 7 requirements for the rank of Eagle Scout.  Be sure you are on a path to meet all the requirements.  Don't just concentrate on requirements 3 and 5 while forgetting to meet the other requirements.

Requirement 1:  Be active in your troop and patrol for at least 6 months as a Life Scout.

Your troop defines their standard for what they consider active.  Your Scoutmaster and troop committee chairman will need to certify that you have met this requirement.  Be sure you understand what they expect, and how well they feel you are meeting this requirement.         

Requirement 2:  Demonstrate Scout spirit by living the Scout Oath (Promise) and Scout Law in your everyday life.

You will be asked to name 6 references and get reference forms filled out by these people who can attest to the fact that you live by all parts of the Scout Oath (Promise) and the Scout Law in your everyday life.  This is not just while you are at Scout activities.  Be sure that these characteristics are obvious to everyone you come in contact with in all aspects of your life.  Ask yourself if it would be clear to everyone you deal with that you live by these principles in all aspects of your life.

Requirement 3: Earn a total of 21 merit badges (10 more than you already have), including the following: (a) First Aid, (b) Citizenship in the Community, (c) Citizenship in the Nation, (d) Citizenship in the World, (e) Communications, (f) Personal Fitness, (g) Emergency Preparedness OR Lifesaving, (h) Environmental Science, (i) Personal Management, (j) and Swimming OR Hiking OR Cycling, (k) Camping, and (l) Family Life.

This list does change occasionally.  When there are changes, there is a date set beyond which you must use the new requirements, even if you already have earned the merit badges you needed under the old rules.  As you earn the merit badges, keep your part of the merit badge cards in case there is any question later.  Note that Family Life, Personal Fitness, and Personal Management each include requirements that take three months.  Be sure you contact the merit badge counselor before you start working on these requirements.  You should have a merit badge card signed by your Scoutmaster before you meet with the counselor, or start working on the merit badge.

Requirement 4:  While a Life Scout, serve actively for a period of 6 months in one or more of the following positions of responsibility: 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, or instructor.

The word "actively" is very key.  It is not enough to just have the position and wear the patch.  Be sure that you are serving in one of the specific positions listed.  Your Scoutmaster and troop committee chairman will need to certify that you have met this requirement.  Be sure that you are in regular communication with them about what they expect, and how well you are doing the job. Don't wait until the last minute to find out that the Scoutmaster is not willing to sign off on your having completed this requirement. Be prepared to discuss how you showed your leadership in this position.

Requirement 5:  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 should benefit an organization other than Boy Scouting.)  The project idea must be approved by the organization benefiting from the effort, your Scoutmaster and troop committee, and the council or district before you start.  You must use the Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project Workbook, No. 18-927, in meeting this requirement. 

You can download this workbook by clicking here for the document in Microsoft Word format, .DOC, (also readable by many word processors) or here for the document in Rich Text Format, .RTF, which works for word processors that can not read .DOC files.  If you have problems downloading the workbook, click here to try downloading a smaller workbook without graphics.  If you have problems or questions, click here to send an e-mail question.  Please describe your computer, internet provider, connection (dial up, DSL, cable modem) and what word processor you are using.  This project will probably be the most ambitious project you have ever undertaken, but is not impossible if you allow enough time and follow the information provided on this web site carefully.  To have plenty of time, you should start this requirement at least by your 17th birthday.

NOTE: The above workbooks specifically refer to handling the paperwork in the Chester County Council, BSA.  If you are in another council, check with your Council, District, or Troop for forms and instructions on how to submit your paperwork.

Requirement 6: Take part in a Scoutmaster conference.

This requirement will take place only after you have completed the first 5 requirements.  Be prepared to review what you have done since becoming a Life Scout, and your future plans.  Bring all your paperwork including your finished project write-up with you to the Scoutmaster's Conference.  This requirement, and the first 5, must be completed BEFORE your 18th birthday.

Requirement 7. Successfully complete an Eagle Scout board of review.

The Board will consist of adults from your troop and members of the District Advancement Committee.  This requirement can be completed up to three months after your 18th birthday if all other requirements were completed before your 18th birthday.