A guide to the Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook

for Scouts, Unit Leaders and Parents

The “Eagle Project”

Topics to cover…. What qualifies as a project? What does NOT qualify as a project? How to select a project. Role of the Scoutmaster in this process. The new Eagle Project Workbook and how to use it. Ready for an approval? Ready for the District Board of Review?

Before you even begin…. DO not collect or accept any money or donations

prior to the District signature on you proposal. It will invalidate the project immediately. Also do not do any “work” such as clearing out a field or digging holes in preparation ….this will cancel your project.

In other words…ONLY words and thoughts and meetings and measurements may take place before the signatures.

Step 1 – How big an idea? (page 4 of workbook)

Objectives and measurement of a “good” project are service, impact and leadership!

Project must present an opportunity for planning and development and…leadership!

Must present a challenge that requires…leadership, but can be done with unskilled workers in a reasonable time period.

Step 2 – What qualifies? (page 4)

YES – construction, conservation, significant “event”, projects done for a non-profit organization, solving a problem…

NO- routine maintenance or labor, fundraising of $$, canned programs (like some blood drives), anything for a commercial or profit based institution, anything for the BSA…

GRAY AREA – collections and donations….”A project may not be a fundraiser. In other words, it may not be an effort that primarily collects money, even for a worthy charity.”

Ask yourself…what problem am I solving with this idea?

On page 3….. Attention: Unit, District, and Council Reviewers

Eagle Scout projects must be evaluated primarily on impact: the extent of benefit to the religious institution, school, or community, and on the leadership provided by the candidate. There must also be evidence of planning and development. This is not only part of the requirement but relates to practicing the Scout motto, “Be Prepared.” However, in determining if a project meets Eagle Scout requirement 5, reviewers must not require more planning and development than necessary to execute the project. These elements must not overshadow the project itself, as long as the effort was well led and resulted in otherwise worthy results acceptable to the beneficiary.

PS…there is no minimum number of hours

Mom and Dad…. To put it nicely….back off and butt out! Everybody* MUST read page 21 of the new book. *According

to page 5 of the new book as it is a message to Mom and Dad.

Parents can drive, provide contact numbers and be present, but a parent should not make phone calls or set up meetings, carry the packet around, deal with any issues unless legal or financial or the scout needs guidance. Do not do for a scout what he can do for himself.

Scoutmasters….ask the scout…”How did you come up with the idea?”

Page 5 Use the workbook. READ THE BOOK! Many scouts evidently do not read the packet and show

up at their meeting seeking approval

Role of the Scoutmaster Talk over options with the scout, let him find an idea he likes

and a contact person for the project, then bring a mental proposal or idea back to you.

Try to avoid just handing out a project to the scout. Let the youth seek out his own ideas. Nonprofits include animal shelters, domestic violence and hundreds of organizations beyond schools, parks and churches.

If YOU feel the idea meets the objects of an Eagle Project, then the scout can proceed to write it up using workbook pages 7-10.

Page 6 – Contact information MUST be filled out before meeting for a district signature…

Scout, Unit Leader, Unit Committee Chair, Advancement Coordinator, Beneficiary organization and representative, Council service center, and the chosen reviewer….need name, address, phone, email, and BSA ID number if applicable.

Project Coach is optional Suggest each unit make master sheet of this info.

Pages 7 – 10 The Project Proposal This MUST be filled out completely before meeting with

the District for signatures. Please be sure your scout has done this step.

Do NOT send sheets of notebook paper, scribbled drawings or proposals without pictures if applicable to the meeting with a District Reviewer. Consider this a job interview.

Require the scout to think about the answers and give complete thoughts. One word to answer “why” or “how” is not acceptable.

Please hold them accountable for spelling and grammar and legibility. It can be done online.

Check and Correct your work, this is real life.

Meeting with the District Approver Call us to set up an appointment. Leave a message if we do

not answer the phone. DO NOT ask us to call you back, tell us when you will call again. Speak slow and clear, say your first and last name and your Troop number and your phone number…slow and clear. We may return your call. Keep trying 3x then move to someone else if no success.

Show up on time in your Class A uniform with the following items….

1. Page 6 entirely filled out, we have to sign it too. Bring a pen with you. 2. Pages 7 – 10 entirely filled out, checked for spelling, legible if handwritten and questions

answered with sentences.

3. Page 12 so you can take notes during our meeting and bring a pen to write with.

4. Pictures printed out if needed! No phones, no ipads, no computers, no excuses. Pictures are needed if you are doing a project in a physical location (park, school, church etc…) You will need it for the DBoR anyway so do it now for “before pics”.

5. Diagrams if you are building something, not detailed, but we want that visual.

6. Maps (google earth or otherwise) to show locations.

7. Brochures and such if purchasing an existing item.

8. ALL signatures filled in….ALL THREE OF THEM!!!! (four w/scout’s)

9. Fundraising sheet page 17 if needed

Questions and Answers Page 8..”Briefly describe the project” is a what question. (What

do you plan to have done when the project is complete?)

“How will it be helpful” and “Why is it needed” are the “why the scout wants to do it and how will it solve the problem or fulfill a need?”

These are three different questions needing different answers.

Example: I will build a handicapped accessible trail. The handicapped currently have no access to the park which violates the law. All people will have access to the park and can enjoy it as a family when my trail is complete.

The question of giving leadership! Page 8 Approximately how many people will be needed to help on

your project? Where will you recruit them (unit members, friends,

neighbors, family, others)? Explain: (this is asking “how” do you plan on doing this such as flyers, presentations, posters at the venue etc…)

What do you think will be most difficult about leading them? (This is an essay question! What challenges will you face getting people to work for you?)

Sections to Complete Materials Supplies Tools Permits and Permissions Preliminary Cost Estimate Project Phases Logistics (tour permits may be needed)

Safety Issues - (really detailed in the final section!) Further Planning

Finally!! Signatures Candidate (Scout) MUST BE FIRST This is in writing on page

10…scout should know this if he actually read the booklet, ditto others who may be signing without the scout having done so.

Unit Leader Approval* Beneficiary Approval* (representative for the organization for

whom the project will be done) Unit Committee Approval* *NO specific order of dates for these three. District Approval Signature MUST BE LAST This is in

writing on page 10…

Pages 11 – 20 The Final Plan Page 12 should be brought to the District approver so

the scout can take notes. This book is a mandatory part of the project. It is not approved

or signed for content, but it is an excellent resource and should be encouraged by whomever is working with the scout to fill it in completely so nothing is “missed” in the process.

What is in pages 12 – 20? More details about the benefit and the current condition or

situation. A time line for phases of the project A step by step plan for the work process A check for tour permits or any building or use permits to

work the plan. Detailed materials list Detailed supply list Detailed tool list and who uses them.

Detailed expense record and a description of how funds were obtained

A chart to show who worked, skills needed, and more information about leadership of these volunteers as an essay question. *Please keep a record of ALL workers, what they did and for how long, the old fashioned

“sign in” sheet style. New style workbook has no way to keep track of this information.

Plan for communication Questions about Logistics Questions about Safety issues A question about a contingency plan A comments section for advice from the coach or mentor.

Fundraising DO not collect or accept any money or donations prior

to the District signature. It will invalidate the project immediately. Also do not do any “work” such as clearing out a field or digging holes….this will cancel your project.

Any funds or items not from the family, relatives, troop, charter organization or the benefiting organization require page 17, the fundraising application. ie…you want bricks from Loews….you fill out the form. The District Eagle Approver act as the Council representative for the required signature.

Page 18 is a complete explanation of this and be sure that the parents and the scout have read and understand this page entirely!

More on the money issue… The unit will sign the fundraising form before submission. Scouts cannot do raffles or any “casino” style games or

activities. Acknowledgment of a donation by the donor is to come from

the benefiting organization on their letterhead. No BSA reference is to be made.

All $$ collected to go to the Unit which then distributes it as needed, do not let the scout “hold” it or be in charge. A $ trail is needed. Unit treasures need to work out plan as to how to handle this.

Pages 19 and 20 Project is complete…but not done. Scout questions in the form of complete sentences and in

some cases, an essay. In what ways did you demonstrate leadership? What was most rewarding about being the leader? What was the most difficult about being a leader? What did you learn about leadership, or how were your

leadership skills further developed?

And…. Details about supplies Details about who worked, if BSA registered, adult or youth,

fundraising details and ..did you thank the donors? (good question)

Three signatures needed- Scout, Beneficiary and the Scoutmaster (unit leader) only to confirm that the project was done. They do not evaluate the workbook….but……I would highly suggest doing so before the District B of R!!

The District Board of Review The entire packet should be turned in to the Council for the

D BoR including photos, maps and all that jazz. The instruction pages 1 – 5, 18 and 21 are not needed.

Suggest that all “original sign-in sheets” be kept and turned in as well. Why?...to avoid the falsifying of numbers and hours. (Yes, it happens….)

If people are supposed to be wearing safety goggles…then they better be wearing them in the pictures.

A final thought… Eagle Scouts are the best of the best so remember to do your

best on this project workbook. Consider it a practice application for college or a job. How do you want to be seen by a future employer? Can you spell? Can you organize ideas? Can you answer the question that is asked? Do you skip steps or forget details? Did you challenge yourself?

Projects around our area….

Walkway at John Knox Church

The image part with relationship ID rId3 was not found in the file. The image part with relationship ID rId3 was not found in the file.

Outdoor Stage

The image part with relationship ID rId3 was not found in the file.

Benches for Central Catholic

The image part with relationship ID rId3 was not found in the file.

One of several bike racks in Jackson Parks, built for portability.

The image part with relationship ID rId3 was not found in the file.

Handicapped walkway Camp Y-Noah

The image part with relationship ID rId3 was not found in the file. The image part with relationship ID rId3 was not found in the file.

2 of 5 trash containers around a lake with fishing and trails.

The image part with relationship ID rId3 was not found in the file. The image part with relationship ID rId3 was not found in the file.

Outdoor Amphitheater, JMMS

The image part with relationship ID rId3 was not found in the file. The image part with relationship ID rId3 was not found in the file.

Ball court at Camp Y-Noah

The image part with relationship ID rId3 was not found in the file.

Benches in Jackson Park

The image part with relationship ID rId3 was not found in the file.

Ridge of trees between field and road

The image part with relationship ID rId3 was not found in the file.

Birdhouses (22+) at Camp Y-Noah

The image part with relationship ID rId3 was not found in the file. The image part with relationship ID rId3 was not found in the file.

Bridge and drainage control on trail plus ½ mile of trail building

The image part with relationship ID rId3 was not found in the file. The image part with relationship ID rId3 was not found in the file.

Erosion control and new landscaping

The image part with relationship ID rId3 was not found in the file. The image part with relationship ID rId3 was not found in the file.

Walkway and bridge down a slope

The image part with relationship ID rId3 was not found in the file.

90 foot boardwalk over swamp at Camp Y-Noah

The image part with relationship ID rId3 was not found in the file.

“Jackson Parks” in shrubbery

The image part with relationship ID rId3 was not found in the file.

A project neglected after it was done

The image part with relationship ID rId3 was not found in the file. The image part with relationship ID rId3 was not found in the file.

Playground at abuse support center The image part with relationship ID rId3 was not found in the file.

15 feet x 120 feet of cleared brush about 5 feet tall to improve security

The image part with relationship ID rId3 was not found in the file.

Safety rings around recreational lake

The image part with relationship ID rId3 was not found in the file.

100 plus foot walkway to access practice area.

The image part with relationship ID rId3 was not found in the file.

PLEASE!!!

Don’t forget to record the hours earned on an Eagle

Project to your Unit’s Journey to Excellence

report!