Eagle Scout Service Project Guidelines and Leadership Tips

Eagle Scout Service Project Guidelines and Leadership Tips

The Eagle Scout Service Project process outlines the steps required for Life Scouts to plan, develop, and lead a community service project. This guide emphasizes the importance of leadership, organization, and community involvement, ensuring that the project benefits a religious institution, school, or community organization. It provides detailed instructions on obtaining necessary approvals from unit leaders and district committees, as well as tips for successful project execution. Ideal for scouts aiming to achieve the Eagle Scout rank, this resource helps candidates navigate the complexities of their service projects effectively.

Key Points

  • Details the Eagle Scout Service Project approval process, including necessary signatures from unit leaders and district committees.
  • Emphasizes the importance of leadership in planning and executing community service projects for Eagle Scout candidates.
  • Outlines key steps for project completion, including scheduling, recruiting volunteers, and tracking expenses.
  • Provides tips for selecting impactful service projects that benefit local organizations and communities.
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Rev. 2019-04-12 Advancement\Eagle&Life\LifetoEaglePacketMaterial\WebsiteDocumentsRevised2019
Northern Star Council / BSA
EAGLE SCOUT SERVICE PROJECT PROCESS
(You must download the Service Project Workbook at www.NorthernStar.org)
____ 1. The Scout comes up with a project idea. The project must follow the official guidelines for
Eagle Projects. (These are given in the Service Project Workbook.)
____ 2. The Scout discusses the project idea with the Unit leader, troop Eagle coach, and benefactor of
the project.
____ 3. The Scout discusses the project idea with a District Advancement committee member, either by
telephone or email. Check with your district for the preferred method.
____ 4. The Scout completes the Contacts and Project Proposal pages of the Service Project
Workbook, signs it, and reviews it with their Eagle coach. All forms for the Eagle Award
should be typewritten or written legibly in ink.
____ 5. The project beneficiary approves and signs the service project workbook Project Proposal.
____ 6. The Unit leader reviews, approves, and signs the Project Proposal.
____ 7. The troop committee reviews, approves, and signs the Project Proposal.
____ 8. The Scout submits the Project Proposal to the District Advancement Chair or District Eagle
Coordinator for project approval and signature.
(The Scout should be sure to plan enough time for this step to be completed before starting the
project; this could take up to two months.)
____ 9. After all the above approvals have been given, the Scout completes the Project Plan pages
of the Service Project Workbook.
___ 10. The Scout schedules the project, recruits the workers, keeps a list of the workers, keeps track
of the receipts, and completes the project.
____11. The Scout completes the Project Report pages of the Service Project Workbook and signs it.
All items must be filled in.
____12. The Unit leader or project coach certifies that the project has been completed and signs the
Project Report.
____13. The project beneficiary signs the Project Report if the project has been completed satisfactorily.
A letter of completion from the organization is optional and encouraged.
____14. The Project Proposal-including Contacts page, Project Final Plan, Project Report, and list of
project workers pages are submitted with the Eagle Scout Rank Application to the council
office. (See item 6 of the "Eagle Scout Application Process".)
____15. The completed project is reviewed by the Eagle Scout Board of Review. (See item 9 of the
"Eagle Scout Application Process".)
(NOTE: Although the initial project written proposal is approved by the district, the actual project
execution must be approved by the Board of Review. If the plan was not followed, or the project was
not performed well, it may be rejected at this time. If this happens, the Scout will be advised by the
Board of Review on what to do.)
Revised 04/2019
Rev. 2019-04-12 Advancement\Eagle&Life\LifetoEaglePacketMaterial\WebsiteDocumentsRevised2019
Northern Star Council /BSA
TIPS FOR EAGLE SCOUT SERVICE PROJECTS
While a Life Scout, the Eagle candidate must plan, develop, and give leadership to others in a service
project helpful to a religious institution, school or community. The Life Scout is encouraged to work with
an Eagle coach. Here are some key items to keep in mind.
• The key words are plan, develop, and give leadership to others. This project is entirely different
from Star and Life service projects. In previous service projects, the Scout could be a follower. For
the Eagle Scout rank, the Scout must be the leader. Their leadership ability is demonstrated by:
1. Planning the work to be done.
2. Organizing the work and manpower.
3. Training the workers and directing the project’s completion. They must involve other people to
carry out the project.
• For the Eagle project, the Scout expands the "service to others" philosophy by going outside the
Scouting community to plan and supervise a project of value to a school, a church, or the
community. Work involving council property or other Boy Scouts of America activities is not
acceptable for an Eagle service project. The service project may not be performed for a business,
be of a commercial nature, or be a fundraiser.
• The key to the Eagle service project is leadership. The Scout has already demonstrated leadership
in Scouting by meeting other requirements for the Eagle Scout Award. Now the Scout must
demonstrate their leadership ability through a worthwhile project for the community, church, or
school.
• Routine labor, jobs, or service normally rendered (such as volunteer work the Scout may be doing)
is not considered within the intent of this project. Total time involvement must be considerable and
should represent the candidate's best possible effort. The number of hours is not stipulated since
there is a wide variety of project subjects. (See Project Workbook.) This level of service requires
much planning time and, therefore, the hours are difficult to estimate.
• The project idea must be approved by the beneficiary of the project, the Unit leader or project coach,
the unit committee, and the Project Proposal approved by the District Advancement Committee to
make sure it meets expected standards before the project is started. This approval does not imply
that the Board of Review will accept the way a project was carried out.
• When the Service Project Workbook Project Proposal has been approved by the project
beneficiary, the Unit leader or project coach, the troop committee, and reviewed and signed by the
one of the District Advancement Committee team, the Scout will write up the Project Final Plan and
carry out the project with guidance of a person from the church, school, or community group to be
served.
• Upon completion of the project, the Scout writes up the Project Report and submits the entire
Service Project Workbook (including all signature pages) with the Eagle Scout Rank Application to
the Unit leader or project coach. All the physical work on the project must be done while the
candidate is a Life Scout and before the candidate's 18th birthday.
• The variety of service projects performed nationally is staggering. For ideas and opportunities, the
Scout should consult school or religious leaders, or local government department heads, chamber of
commerce, community improvement associations, district committee members and the like.
• A Scout may ask for donations of materials or supplies for a project. Fundraising is permitted only
for securing materials or supplies needed to carry out the project.
Reference: Advancement Guidelines, 2018 Revision, Copyright 2014 Boy Scouts of America.
National BSA Advancement Policies and Procedures
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FAQs of Eagle Scout Service Project Guidelines and Leadership Tips

What are the key steps in the Eagle Scout Service Project process?
The Eagle Scout Service Project process involves several key steps, starting with the Scout developing a project idea that meets official guidelines. The Scout must discuss the idea with their unit leader, Eagle coach, and the project beneficiary. After completing the Project Proposal in the Service Project Workbook, it requires approval from the unit committee and the District Advancement Committee before the project can commence. Once the project is completed, the Scout must document the process and submit a final report.
What is the role of leadership in the Eagle Scout Service Project?
Leadership is a central theme of the Eagle Scout Service Project. Unlike previous service projects, where Scouts may have acted as followers, the Eagle project requires Scouts to take charge. This includes planning the project, organizing manpower, and training volunteers to ensure successful completion. Demonstrating leadership through effective project management is crucial for achieving the Eagle Scout rank.
What types of projects qualify for the Eagle Scout Service Project?
Eagle Scout Service Projects must provide a benefit to a religious institution, school, or community organization. Projects cannot be performed for businesses or be of a commercial nature, nor can they serve as fundraisers. The focus is on creating a meaningful impact within the community, showcasing the Scout's ability to lead and organize a significant service effort.
How does a Scout obtain approval for their Eagle Service Project?
To gain approval for their Eagle Service Project, a Scout must first complete the Project Proposal in the Service Project Workbook. This proposal must be reviewed and signed by the project beneficiary, the unit leader, and the troop committee. After these approvals, the proposal is submitted to the District Advancement Chair or District Eagle Coordinator for final approval. This process ensures that the project meets the expected standards before it begins.
What documentation is required after completing the Eagle Scout Service Project?
After completing the Eagle Scout Service Project, the Scout must fill out the Project Report pages of the Service Project Workbook. This report includes details about the project execution, a list of volunteers, and any receipts for expenses incurred. Additionally, the project beneficiary and unit leader must sign the report to certify its completion. This documentation is essential for the final Eagle Scout Rank Application.

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