2027

• What an Eagle Scout Candidate can do for your organization.
• What an Eagle Scout Candidate cannot do for a project.
• What you will be expected to do.
• Things you can do to help make the process go smoothly.

Thank You and Congratulations

The purpose of this pamphlet is to help organizations that are considering having a Scout do an Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project for them.  You will need to understand something about what the Scout can and can’t do for you, and what he needs from you to make the project a success for everyone involved.  If you are reading this, you are probably considering working with an Eagle Scout candidate on his Eagle Scout Leadership Service project.  This is a two-way street, so thank you for doing what will be required of you, and congratulations on having the opportunity to benefit from the hard work of the Scout and his helpers. 

 Requirements

The project is one of the requirements for a Scout to earn the Eagle Scout Rank, Scouting’s highest rank.  To complete this requirement, he must plan, develop, and give leadership to others in a service project helpful to his religious institution, school, or his community.”  Note that the Scout MUST lead the project.  If you are not willing to let the Scout run the project, or the project is such that he can not carry out the project with the Scout leading a group of youth carrying out the project with a minimum of adult involvement, then the project is not a good candidate for an Eagle project.

Limitations

In order to meet the Boy Scout requirements, there are some types of projects that are not allowed.  It cannot be routine labor or a job or service normally rendered.  The service project may not be performed for a business or an individual, be of a commercial nature, or be a fund-raiser.  Normally this means that the project should be for a government entity, religious organization, or a 501(c)3 tax exempt organization.

Size of the Project

There is no fixed definition to how large a project must be.  It must be a significant challenge to the Scout, and must make a significant contribution to the community.  Projects generally involve 150 to 250 work-hours, but sometimes have exceeded 1000 work-hours.  The project can be a combination of several tasks to make a significantly challenging project.  It also must be something that is within the capabilities of the Scout to complete.

Schedule

Some projects take only a few months to plan and carry out, while some Scouts take a year or more between the time the project is first discussed and the time it is finished.  If you need the project completed by a specific time, be sure the schedule is feasible for the Scout to carry out.  Once he has planned the project (a process that can often take several months) he then must get several approvals before he can start.  If what you want to have done cannot fit into this kind of schedule, it may not work for an Eagle project.  Be sure you make any scheduling requirements clear to the Scout when you discuss the project with him.

Expectations of You

At the very least, the Scout will be expecting you to let him know what you need to have done, and any limitations you have on how or when it is done.  Once he has developed a detailed plan, he will ask you to approve that plan.  At the completion of the project, he will need to get a letter from you acknowledging that he has completed the project to your satisfaction.

You may be very involved in the planning process as the Scout works out details of how to carry out the project based on your requirements, or he may have to seek out other resources to help with the planning.  This varies a great deal from project to project.  By the time he has finished the planning process, he must have a thorough understanding of how to carry out the project successfully, including providing the leadership to the group carrying out the project.

If the project will require building permits or approvals from your organization, you will at least need to inform the Scout, and may need to support or assist him in this process.

Funding

In many cases, the organization that is benefiting from the Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project provides any necessary funding, but this is not a requirement.  In some cases the Scout may fund the project himself, or he may include fundraising in the project to provide funds for materials.  In many cases he will be able to get donations or discounts on necessary materials.  You should at least provide him with tax-exempt id numbers to save sales tax on purchases for the project.

Planning Approval

Once the Scout has fully developed his detailed plan, he will bring it to you for approval.  At this time you should be comfortable that he is ready to carryout the project to you satisfaction.  Remember that he will be leading the project, and will probably be using unskilled youth the do the work.  You should be comfortable that he understands what you are expecting, and can deliver a project that will be of significant benefit to your organization.

Supervision

You must be willing to let HIM run the project.  He will recruit the labor (Scouts or other youth) and lead them in carrying out the project.  While you may need to be present to provide access to your facility while he is working, HE must be in charge and directing the project.  If your requirements, if the nature of the project are such, or if you are not willing to have the project work this way, then do not start the Scout on a project that will not qualify for his requirement.  Over the years, many Scouts have been very successful in leading projects.  He must be allowed to have this leadership experience as part of fulfilling this requirement.

Final Approval

At the completion of the project, he will come back to you for your final approval.  If you have any questions about what he has done, do not hesitate to be fully honest with him.  This is not the time to change the scope of what he is to do, but you should hold him to what you and he agreed to about what the project was to include and how it was to be done, as you approved before the work started.  He will need to get a letter from you acknowledging that he has completed the project to your satisfaction.

Additional Information

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact any one of the local District Advancement Chairs who are listed at www.eaglescout.itgo.com/contacts.htm, contact the Scout’s Scoutmaster, or call the Boy Scout council office at 610-696-2900 for contact information.