~Eagle project must be completed between the Life Rank and prior to 18th birthday(you cannot begin your Eagle project before you are a Life Scout. you can think about it--in fact, that is an excellent idea--but no work is to be done on the project)
(I realize this whole 18th birthday thing may not be an issue for most of you but it is for some turkeys--I mean scouts--out there)
~You will need to write an essay outlining your Goals and Ambitions. This should also include a listing of leadership positions you have held in school, camp, community, church, etc. (not Scouts) (so if that means you need to get some leadership experience, please don't procrastinate--get started NOW) Also keep track of honors and awards in earned in areas besides scouting.
Note: the above mentioned requirement is listed on the Eagle Scout Rank Application, one of the last things you will fill out when finishing up your Eagle requirements. I am just giving you a heads-up. Because I am friendly and thoughtful. In fact, I am so thoughtful I am going to quote for you what the requirement actually says:
"Take part in a unit leader {Scoutmaster} conference. {make sure you take note of the date of this conference} Attach to this application a statement of your ambitions and life purpose and a listing of positions held in your religious institution, school, camp, community, or other organizations during which you demonstrated leadership skills. Include honors and awards received during this service."
(now really that doesn't sound so hard, does it?) (as I sit here laughing quietly to myself)
~Besides the reams of paperwork involved in this whole thing, there are alot of signatures required. Double- and triple-check that you have gotten every autograph that you need so you don't end up going back two and three times to the same person to get him to sign something. I'm sure your scoutmaster felt flattered the first couple of times you asked for his autograph but after that, it was probably beginning to get a bit annoying. Besides several signatures from your scoutmaster (also know as your "unit leader" on the application form--why don't they just say "scoutmaster?") and your unit committee chair (you are on your own in figuring out who THAT is) You will also need to get the Eagle project beneficiary representative to sign before AND after the project is completed,
~Eagle reference letters. Yeah. You have to ask 5 people (6, if you have a job) to write a letter of recommendation for you. Sometimes this is not the easiest thing in the world to do. Well, except for asking your parents to write a letter for you. They will be glad to do so, especially when you promise to clean your room and take the trash out without being asked for the next 25 years. So you need to find 4 people who know you well enough and like you well enough to write a letter stating that you do indeed live by the principles of the Scout Law and Oath. Request these letters WELL in advance of the date of your final Eagle Board of Review. Sometimes letters get lost in the mail or you give them the wrong address. (please do not ask me how I know this)
All of the information above pertains to the Eagle Scout Rank Application which you can obtain at:
http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/512-728_web.pdf
or I think you can get a copy at your friendly Scout Office. (possibly. don't quote me on this one)
DO NOT wait until the last minute to print and/or fill out the application form in the hopes that you can fill it out in one afternoon. You can't.
Soar on, Eagle candidate!!!
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