The Eagle Leadership Service Project Process

Preparation

Before you even pick a project, you need to learn what the whole project process is about.  Follow these steps to learn what you will need to do.

• Go through this web site thoroughly.  Download and read as much information as possible.  

• Talk to others who have been through the process before you.  

• Meet with your Scoutmaster.  Ask him if your troop has someone specifically assigned to be an advisor to Eagle candidates.  If not, ask him to help find one. Work very closely with that person through the whole process.  

• Download the Workbook from this site and study it carefully.  It will be your guidebook through the project.  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.  When you click above, your computer may start downloading immediately.  It may ask you if you want to open the file or save it (chose save if you get the choice).  It may just open in your word processor, in which case you need to click File and Save As to save it on your computer.  If you have trouble viewing them try right clicking on the link and either select open (Open, Open in New Window, Open Link In New Window) to open the link for viewing or select save (Save Target As, Save Page As) and specify where to save the file, then go open the saved file.  If you try to open the document directly and you get an error about "no viewer available" then save the file and open the saved file from your word processor.  Be sure you remember where you saved it, or use Find-Files or Folders to search for ESLSPW*.*.   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.

• NOTE: The above workbook specifically refers to handling the paperwork in the Chester County Council, BSA.  Check with your Council, District, or Troop for instructions on how to submit your paperwork.

• Download the Parents Guide and review it with your parents and Scout leaders.

• Study the material on this web site.  There is helpful information here about each step in the process, from finding a project through completing the paperwork..

• Attend a Life to Eagle Seminar.  Each district in Chester County Council runs these seminars periodically.  Click here for more information, or check with your Scoutmaster or District Advancement Chairman.

Outside References for Additional Information

In addition to the information on this web site, there are many other sources of useful information.  Keep in mind that web sites maintained by other councils or districts may have outdated information, or describe specific procedures that differ from the procedures used in the Chester County Council.  There are additional references on other pages of this web site.

• Boy Scout Requirements Book, 2007 or later edition.  This book lists the latest official requirements.  New editions come out each year in January  The section on service projects lists the specific restrictions on what is or is not an acceptable type of project.  This information is also included in other information on this web site.

• http://home.flash.net/~smithrc/eagleprj.htm, excellent guide to finding and planning an Eagle Leadership Service Project

• http://www.eaglescout.org/, home page with lots of information and links about the entire Eagle process

• http://www.eaglebook.com/sites.htm, links to all sorts of Eagle related information

• http://www.rogerknapp.com/knap/stfiles.htm, index to lots of scouting information including Eagle court of honor ideas

• http://www.macscouter.com/, Lots of useful scouting information and links to other resources

• Your Scoutmaster or Eagle Advisor within the troop

• District Advancement Chairman, especially if you have questions about specific procedures and requirements.

Find a Project

Once you understand the entire process, you need to find a project.  See the section on finding a project for ideas of sources, types of projects, and potential organizations you could do a project for. 

Plan Your Project

Once you have selected a project idea, you need to turn that idea into a detailed plan and get it approved.  For many Scouts, this is the most difficult part of the project, and for most, it is the part that is unlike anything they have done before.  Follow the instructions in the workbook and in the planning section of this web site carefully.  They will lead you through the process step by step.  If you follow the instructions carefully, you will be fully prepared to get your project approved, and more importantly, you will be ready to be successful with your project.

Your project plan, in the Workbook, must be approved before you start any work on carrying out the project.

To see an example of what a completed project workbook looks like, see the example section of this web site.  This example includes the final report, but the first three sections are the project plan.

Carry Out Your Project

Once you have gotten your project approved, you are off to carry it out.  While challenging, you have done service projects before and this is only different in that you are leading your peers rather than just doing the work.  Be sure you are keeping the records you will need to complete the report.  Again, the details of what you need to do are all described on this web site.

Finish the Paperwork

The Eagle Board of Review will have the responsibility of finally approving your project as carried out.  In most cases, all they will know about your project is what you show them in your final report.  Be sure it is complete and the very best you can do.  The report should be in the workbook, with all parts filled out as detailed in the workbook and on this web site.  This report should represent your best effort, at least on par with the kind of work you would present at school for a yearlong project and would expect an A+ grade on.  Remember, this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and you need to demonstrate that you are ready to join the top 2% who are the ones that make it to the Eagle rank.

Request your reference letters and complete the remaining paperwork.  The paperwork is all delivered to your Scoutmaster at the Scoutmaster Conference, who will submit the application request to the Council office.

The Verified Application will be mailed to you.  You fill in information on your references, sign the application, and get recommendation signatures from your Committee Chairman and Scoutmaster.  Your Scoutmaster will then deliver the signed application, Workbook, and reference letters to the chairman of your board of review.  Only then can the Scoutmaster call the board chairman and schedule your Board of Review.

To see an example of what a completed project workbook looks like, see the example section of this web site.

Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project Time Line

Since projects vary so widely, it is difficult to give a typical time line.  In any case you should anticipate about 6 to 12 months to plan and carry out your Eagle Project.  This is especially important to consider if you are approaching, or already past, your 17th birthday.  Many steps will depend on other’s schedules, such as when the next monthly Township Supervisor’s or Parks and Recreation board meeting, your troop’s next committee meeting, vacations of key people, or when you can next meet with the District Advancement Committee.  Most steps also depend on what priority you give your Eagle project, and what other commitments you have.  These are very rough time estimates.  This overall schedule assumes that by the time the project is done, you have completed all the other requirements.

Seasonal requirements, very long project executions, governmental approvals, or other factors can significantly increase this time schedule.

Note that this total runs from 25 weeks (6 months) to 67 weeks (15 months).  A few projects have been completed in less time, and some have taken much longer.  Don’t wait until you are 17½ to start!