Life to Eagle

Steps to follow

1.     Scouts can't officially begin their Eagle project planning until they are Life Scout. This does not mean they can't consider ideas but should not start the paperwork process until they make Life rank.

a.   While the Scoutmaster Conference for all ranks is typically held by Troop 76 after all requirements are completed, it can be held and signed off at any time during the rank and MUST be done before the scout turns 18.

b.    Bugler only counts towards leadership while working towards Star and Life ranks.

c.    Assistant Patrol Leader is not a BSA approved leadership position for any rank.

2.     The Eagle Scout Project Workbook can be found on our website (https://troop76nj.org/applications).

a.    Don't handwrite any portion of this as this should look professional, and ensure to explain all sections thoroughly, avoiding short word answers.

b.    The Section "Eagle Scout Service Project Proposal" (pages 7-15) should be completed and approved by the Scoutmaster, Committee Chair and Project Benefactor BEFORE submitting to Council for approval.

i.  If the benefactor is a school, approval by the Board of Ed (or other for private schools) will also need to be gained.

c.     Send the form to rvdadvancement@nnjbsa.org.

d.    The advancement committee will respond with comments and/or approval, with a Council Advancement Committee Representative assigned to the scout. They will be the contact for the balance of the Eagle project and Board of Review process.

3.     Once the approval is received. the scout can continue with the "Eagle Scout Service Project Plan" (pages 16-24) and execute the project.

a.    Take pictures of the project, before, during and after

b.    Any effort expected to raise less than $500 does not require a Fundraising Application

c.    All donations are to be held by the scout family.

i.    The Troop is not involved in the financial transactions and the treasurer should not be asked to manage it. Any fundraising money not used to complete the project must be donated directly to the benefactor organization.

4.     After the project is complete, the scout should fill out "Eagle Scout Service Project Report" (pages 26-29).

a.    Obtaining the benefactor signature is extremely important, as this represents their acceptance of the project fulfilling it’s original intent

b. There is no signature required by council for completion and should be submitted to the assigned Advancement Committee Rep to have for the Eagle Board of Review.

5.     The Eagle Scout Application should now be completed. This can be done manually by using the same above link on the troop website, but it is HIGHLY recommended that the application be downloaded right from Scoutbook. (My Dashboard - My Family / Scout Name - Reports - Eagle Application).

a.    Using the Scoutbook version will prepopulate many fields and ensure all data exactly matches the Council records.

b.    Review to ensure all badges and dates are listed, add references in section 2 as available, and obtain recommendation letters from each.

i.    The letters should be sent directly to the assigned Advancement Committee Rep, and not given to the Scoutmaster, scout, or scout family.

c.    Fill out the balance of the form on page 2. Obtain the Unit Leader and Committee Chair signatures BEFORE submitting to the council office in Oakland for review.

i.    If anything is missing, they will kick it back and ask you to correct it, so take the extra few minutes and ensure all is accurate.

d.    Once they sign it, schedule your Eagle Board of Review with the Advancement Committee Representative

6.     When preparing for the Eagle Board of Review, it is suggested that you create a binder that has all your approved Blue Cards and signed rank cards in it (use baseball card sleeves for a clean presentation), as well as a printed copy of your Eagle project and the Eagle Application.

a.    Add the pictures of the project in action to the binder. This will help to tell and show the story on how you planned and led the project.

b.    The Board of Review should be held before the scout is 18 years and 3 months old.

c.    Have your full uniform on with all patches, sash and your physical Scoutbook Handbook with you for the meeting.

7.     Once the Eagle Board of Review is completed, the fully signed Eagle Application should be submitted to the Oakland Council office.

a.    The Scoutmaster and Committee Chair will be notified when the Eagle packet is back from National and ready to be picked up. Once received, the Eagle Court of Honor can be planned.