For a project to qualify as an Eagle Scout service project, the Scout, while a Life Scout, must plan, develop and give leadership to others in a service project. This project must benefit a religious institution, school, or community. As a demonstration of leadership, the Scout must plan the work, organize the personnel needed, and direct the project to its completion. Work involving Council property, Troop property, or other BSA activities is not acceptable. The project also may not be performed for a business, or be of a commercial nature, or be a fundraiser. (See BSA Advancement Committee Policies and Procedures Manual PG 25.)
The Eagle Project process should begin well in advance of the Scout's 18th birthday. This procedure, from idea generation to project completion and submission of the finished project report, will take a significant amount of time to complete.
First, approval for the project concept must be obtained from the Unit Leader. Then, the proposal sections of the Trail to Eagle Packet and Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project Workbook (PDF) or (WORD) or (RTF) must be completed in detail, including a sign-off by the organization for which the project is being done.
Troop Committee approval for the proposal is next. The Troop Advancement Committee will expect that certain requirements be met, in writing, before Troop approval will be issued. The Troop and the Scout must remember that his project proposal is being presented for District approval, to an individual who has no knowledge of the boy or his project. The proposal must be written in such detail that the project may be understood (and carried out) by merely reading it.
Following approval of the proposal by the Troop Committee, the Eagle Scout candidate contacts the Munsee District Advancement Chairman and arranges to have the completed proposal sections of the Trail to Eagle Packet and Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project Workbook delivered to the Munsee District Advancement Committee for review and final approval of the Eagle project. Work on the project may not begin until this District approval has been obtained.
The Scout must be ready to discuss the following:
Significance: Will the project challenge the Scout? While the project does not have to be an original idea, it must not be part of an organization's on-going program. Will the project continue to benefit the group for an extended period of time?
Leadership: How does the Scout plan to lead others through the project? Will the largest portion of work be performed by other youth, directly supervised by him?
Funding: The organization benefiting from the project should be approached first for funding. If funds are not available, the project cost must be a reasonable amount of money that could be raised by a youth. What is the budget for the project? Where will the Scout obtain the funding? What will he do if there are insufficient or excess funds? What are the plans to manage the funds? (See attached BSA Unit Money Earning Guidelines).
Communications: Has the Scout adequately communicated the goals of the project to all individuals involved? How does he plan to communicate with others during the project?
Organization: How will the Scout organize the tasks and the workers? What is the time frame for completion? Project records must be maintained in extreme detail, and record keeping should begin when the project idea is being generated.
Safety: Has the Scout identified any safety concerns? Has he read the Guide to Safe Scouting? Will he provide safety equipment? Adults must be present to operate power equipment, and two-deep leadership must be maintained at all times.
Tools and materials: What items will the Scout need and where will he get them?
Documentation: Drawings, sketches, maps, blue prints, etc. will greatly help to describe the project. Photos should be taken before, during, and after the project.
Problems: Has the Scout anticipated any problems and how does he plan to deal with them?
There are certain projects that will not be considered. These would include "routine labor, a job or service normally rendered." An Eagle Scout project is not a Troop weekend project. The Eagle Scout service project is an individual matter; therefore, two candidates may not receive credit for working on the same project.
Unit leadership should be especially careful of "Drives/collections" and "one day" projects, because of the difficulty in satisfying all of the requirements of a meaningful Eagle project. Any idea of this type should be thoroughly discussed with your District Advancement Chairman before any planning begins.
REMEMBER:
1. All projects must
be discussed at the Troop level with the Scoutmaster and Troop Committee, and
must also be approved by the organization being served.
2. If there are
questions, or when the project has been approved at the Troop level, the District Advancement
Chairman must be contacted.
3. The District Advancement Committee will
review the project proposal, and discuss the viability of the project possibly
making suggestions on how to make it a more acceptable Eagle Scout
Project.
4. Project work cannot begin until final project approval has been
obtained from the District Eagle Advisor.
5. If you are rasing money for the
project, you must fill out and submit a Unit Money Earning Application.