Troop 1610

Eagle Resources

Your Eagle Project

Project Presentation Checklist

Next steps for Life Scouts

When a Scout in Troop 1610 has achieved the rank of life, he may decide to persue the rank of Eagle. This decision does not come lightly. The Scout must consider not only the amount of work that goes into earning the rank, but also the lifelong commitment to uphold the values of Scouts BSA and the live in the way of the Eagle.

If a Scout decides he is ready to take on this responsibility, he works with the Troop's Eagle Advisor to come up with a plan.

The Scout must serve in an active leadership position in the Troop, and must earn a total of 21 merit badges, including 13 Eagle-required merit badges.

The Scout must also plan, develop, and give leadership to others in a service project helpful to a religious institution, school, or his community. The project must rise to the level of an Eagle project, and must be approved by the organization benefiting from the the project, the Scoutmaster, the Troop Committee, and Northstar District before it starts.

The Scout must then execute on the plan, showing leadership and adherence to the rules, traditions, and methods of Scouting.

After all of this, the Scout must submit to a board of review consisting of members of the Troop Committee and Northstar District. Only then can a Scout earn the right to be called an Eagle.

Presenting your Project to the Troop Committee

Before you begin any work on your Eagle service project, your project must be approved by the Troop Committee. The committee will review any documentation you have and ask you questions about your project. It is your responsibility to convince the committe that your the project will be worthy of an Eagle Scout, and of sufficient magnitude to afford you the opportunity to demonstrate your leadership skills.

In order to have a good presentaion, it is vital that the Eagle candidate be prepared. This includes the following:

The eagle candidate should schedule a meeting with the troop committee atleast two weeks in advance. Contact the Troop Committee Chair to schedlue the meeting.
The Eagle candidate should present himself in a formal manner. He should arrive on time, in fuill Class A uniform, including necerchief, sash, and belt. He should look neat and clean.
The Eagle candidate should arrive to the meeting on time, and should bring several copies of his project proposal.
The Eagle candidate should statr his presentaion with a 5 to 7 minute overview of the propoed project that answers the following questions:
- What is the project, in your own owrds?
- How does this project benefit the community?
- How will you demonstrate leadership in this project?
- How much will it cost to complete this project?
- How will you raise funds to cover those costs?
- How long will it take to complete the project?
- If there are phases to the project, what are they and how long will they take?
- When do you expect to have the project completed?

The Troop Committe will ask any questions it has, then ask you to leave the room. It will review your propoasl and determine if it is worthy of approval. The committe will then call you back into the room and give you its determination along with any reccomendations or suggestions that might be helpful. If the committee does not approve your project, they will let you know why and give you suggestions on changing your proposal to make it accepatble.

So, your Scout's becoming an Eagle

First and foremost, congratulations. Becoming an Eagle scout is not an easy task. Scouts have to juggle school and studying, social events, athletics, music, and all kinds of other activities without even thinking about the planning and work involved in becoming an Eagle. But that didn't stop your Scout. He has attained the highest rank in Scouting. This is an exciting moment in your Scouts life. In the awards sections on resumés, college applications, and scholarship applications, he can proudly put that he is an Eagle Scout, always! This award will speak volumes of his perseverance, character and leadership skills. “Once an Eagle, always an Eagle.”

But his journey is not over. Now it is time to celebrate this accomplishment. We have put together some ideas that might be of help to you in this celebraiton.

Your Scout's Eagle Packet

The Eagle packet contains the Eagle rank badge and all pins in a display case. The Advancement Committee Chair can obtain this from the Scout office for you.

Eagle Court of Honor

The Court of Honor in the formal ceremony presenting the Scout with his Eagle Award. This is where he is recognized for his achievements throughout his life in Scouting. This is a major achievement in your son’s life and should be a somewhat formal affair. Your Eagle will be dressed in his full official uniform with either his merit badge sash or, if an Arrowman, his O-A sash. There will be lots of photo opportunities for him and the whole family.

Whether you plan a luncheon, dinner or dessert only affair is you choice. The details are up to you - you can choose when and were to have this. We have had them in churches, banquet facilities, restaurants, and meeting halls of various fraternal organizations. First Congregational Church has the Fellowship Hall that is ideal, is available at no charge, and is a favorite choice for the event. If you are interested in using the Fellowship Hall, please make arrangements through the church office at 248-288-4220.

The Troop has a template for a typical Court of Honor, but this template is completely customizable, or you may come up with one on your own. The new Eagle should choose the readers/participants in the Court of Honor. When making a program your the Court of Honor, consider reflecting on the Scout's achievements leading up to the rank of Eagle. Some parents list all rank and merit badges the Scout earned during the ceremony, some present a slide show showing various activities from the Scout's life during lunch or dinner, and some have a table with various awards the Eagle has earned inside and outside of Scouting.

Invite family members, friends and members of the Troop attend to celebrate your Eagle Scouts accomplishments. Be sure to ask anyone who was particualry inspirational to your scout. A member from Council typically attends, along with any past Scoutmaster, Den Leaders, and Cubmasters.

All Scouts should be in full official uniform (Class A), including scarves and sashes for this event. If your Eagle is a member of the Order of the Arrow, Arrowmen may wear their O-A sashes in place of their merit badge sashes. Scouts from other troops are encouraged to wear their uniforms as well.

You may choose anyone to be the Master of Ceremonies for this event, but the Troop Committee Chair is often chosen.

It is important to have a set-up day, and practice should be arranged ahead of time. The new Eagle should ask any speakers to attend that practice.

Please feel free to ask your Scout's Eagle Advisor if you require any assistance in planning your Court of Honor. Any ideas or experiences that we can use to improve this experience are also welcome for future Eagle Parents.

Mentor Pin

The new Eagle should consider who is to receive a mentor pin! He should reflect back on his journey to Eagle and think about who inspired him. Is there someone who was instrumental in guiding him to this point. It may be a scout leader, advisor, or someone else who was instrumental in the Scout accomplishing this lofty goal.

National Eagle Scout Association

The National Eagle Scout Association, or NESA, is a fellowship of Eagle Scouts.

NESA membership gives your Eagle pride a purpose. Members like you empower Scouting's mission and protect the Eagle Scout legacy. Simply visit the NESA website to see all that they offer, find out how you can get involved, or follow this link to join NESA.

As a member of NESA, you gain access to the NESA information and can even apply for scholarships that are awarded to Eagle Scouts.

Royal Oak, MI

Eagle Resources

Troop Life to Eagle Checklist

MCC Steps to Eagle Checkilst

Your Eagle Project

Eagle Project Workbook