Life to Eagle Steps

Outline of Project Steps:

Before you get started, remember that all Eagle requirements (as identified in the "Scout" tab) must be completed in order to earn your Eagle rank.  If you haven't already, begin the work towards finishing all merit badges and your required position of responsibility in the troop.  This can be completed concurrently with your project and even after your project is completed, but they must be completed before you can request a Scoutmaster's conference (Step #13).

1. Read the entire Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook (if you haven’t already).

2. Conception of your project: What type of project would you like to do? Do you have a specific idea in mind or just a general concept? Think about what organizations might benefit from the work you want to do and approach them to see if they could use a project like yours (if you have one in mind) or if they have a problem that needs to be solved that you could develop as a project.

3. Set up a meeting with your Life-to-Eagle coach.  This can occur as you consider what type of project you might want to do (come up with a couple of ideas) or if you have found a project and want to get started.  Regardless, this should happen before any paperwork is completed. Part of this discussion will involve making sure the concept (a) solves a problem and (b) meets the BSA requirements of planning, development and leadership.

Need help figuring out a project? Call your Life-to-Eagle coach to brainstorm!

4. Complete the Project Proposal:   Make sure all pertinent fields are completed (including contact information) and each prompt addressed fully. You can complete rudimentary planning (measurements, funding possibilities, thoughts on what the process will entail, etc), but do not start setting dates, organizing workers or gathering materials (and do NOT move onto the next section of the workbook until you have completed the next step of obtaining all signatures on your proposal). This is just an overview of the conception of what your project will entail. 

Note on digital vs. hand-written submissions:    Most Scouts prefer to use the online version for convenience.  If you do not have access to a computer, it is perfectly acceptable to complete the workbook (and eventually the application) by hand, as long as the submission is neatly written, of homework quality.  If, however, you have access to a computer, it is strongly recommended that you complete the workbook (and application) online.  This has a number of advantages.  First, you have a saved copy that can be easily changed if needed.  You can (and should) insert digital pictures directly into your workbook.  Your submission will be easier for your reviewers to read.  Finally, in this day and age, it is good to get used to submitting digitally-created documents.  This skill will benefit you in college and later in your professional career.  Practice it now.

5. Collect signatures on your proposal: This will take some time. All must be completed, in the order below. NOTE: You should receive feedback from each person. If they choose not to offer approval, they will explain what you need to do to correct the problem. Make the fix and then re-start the process of obtaining signatures. This is the time for problems to be found and resolved before you get into the planning process.

• Candidate’s Promise: This is the Scout’s own signature. Read the promise carefully before signing.
• Unit Leader Signature: Scoutmaster’s signature
• Unit Committee Approval: The Committee Chair’s approval. Often the Committee Chair and the Scoutmaster will meet with you together to provide both of these signatures.
• Beneficiaries Approval: This is the signature of the representative of the organization that will benefit from your project.
• Council or District Approval: Contact Council or District to set up a meeting with a representative for approval. Our Eagle Coordinator for our district is Kirk Albrecht (425-985-4285).   You can also email him: alpineadvancement@gmail.com.   (More information:  Alpine District Eagle Advancement).

6. Planning Process: Once you have signature on your proposal, you can start the actual planning process, in the next section of your Eagle workbook. Note that there are no signatures necessary for this section (other than fundraising... see below), but that doesn't mean you don't have to do it. It is a required part of this process and will help you plan and foresee any problems or issues. It asks questions that you need to address. As with the Proposal section, read and answer all questions. If something doesn’t apply, indicate that on the workbook with “Does Not Apply” so those who read it (including you) know that it has not been overlooked. You can also use it in your board of review to help you discuss how you planned and developed your project.   You should bring your completed Project Plan with you on the day (or days) of your project.  If you wish to, you can review the Project Plan with your LTE Coach.  Contact your Coach to set up a meeting.

7. Fundraising: If your project requires fundraising, you will need to complete that part of the workbook, obtain the necessary signatures, and submit to council (make sure you receive a date-stamped copy when you submit). It takes at minimum 2 weeks for this approval but you should allow for a full month. Fundraising (along with the rest of your project) can NOT take place until you have approval.  NOTE:  Donated gift cards, such as those from Home Depot or QFC, count as fundraising and must be approved via this process before they are collected.

8. Complete your project: Make sure you take pictures to include on your final report.  You should also document the number of volunteers who worked on your project and the number of volunteer hours that were spent completing your project, as this will be information needed for your final report.  Bring along a sign-in/sign-out sheet to help gather this information and make sure everyone uses it.

9  Complete the Project Report:  Be thorough. More information is better than less. Include pictures that help to show what you accomplished (these can be uploaded directly into your report) and include explanations on the pictures. Answer each prompt completely and clearly.  Do not under-report hours!  Any time spent in planning, organizing, and implementing your project (including travel and meeting time) should be included.

10. Obtain signatures on your Project Report: Note that if anyone refuses to sign, you should ask what changes need to be made to the report, make those changes on the report and then return for approval. 

Candidate’s Promise: Scout’s signature and date
Beneficiary Approval: Signature of the representative of the organization that benefitted from your project.
Unit Leader’s Approval: Your scoutmaster’s signature.

REMINDER: Before you can continue in this process, you need to make sure you have completed all necessary Eagle and Non-Eagle merit badges and Leadership requirements. Refer to your Scout handbooks or check with your Advancement Chair to review your records.

11. Complete the Eagle Application in full: This entails…

• Download application and complete online: You can find the document download on the Alpine District website or in the "Documents" tab here. Make sure your dates and information is accurate, particularly for merit badges and positions of responsibility in the troop. You can't save data, so don't start this until you are ready to complete it in full. (A hand-written submission is acceptable, but it is strongly recommended that you complete this as a digital copy if possible.)
• Letters of reference:  All references must be included on your application in the appropriate section, along with all of their contact information.  Here is the recommended process for facilitating the collection of your letters of reference: 

1. Scouts should approach those people you would like to serve as your references and ask permission to include their names as a reference on your Eagle application.  This would also be a good time to request contact information. 
2. Once you have received confirmation that your references are willing to take part,  Scouts should give those references the form outlining the guidelines for writing a letter of reference (linked below), along with a stamped envelope addressed to Kirk Albrecht (1679 Rock Creek Ridge Blvd SW, North Bend, WA 98045).  Letters should be sent directly to Mr. Albrecht, not to the Scout.    (https://seattlebsa.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Chief-Seattle-Council-LOR-form-Updated-10.05.20.pdf)

• Complete your Statement of Ambition and Life Purpose, as explained on the application, in the box on page 2.  This must be in essay format.  Your application will be sent back if this is not included. If you need guidance on this, contact your Scoutmaster or your Life-to-Eagle Coach.

12. Sign and date your application! Don’t forget this part.

13. Request and take part in a Scoutmaster conference. Bring your project workbook, your application and your Ambition Statement. Be prepared to discuss the project and take recommendations if corrections must be made. Your scoutmaster AND committee chair will sign the application.

14. Walk your completed Application, Project workbook, and Ambition Statement into the Council office. DO NOT MAIL IT! Deliver it in person. At the front desk, originals will be date-stamped, copies will be made and given to you. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A DATE-STAMPED COPY before you leave the office.

15. Application is reviewed and approved. This may take a month or so, but could be less. If a month has passed, it is probably wise to contact the Advancement coordinator (Kirk Albrecht) to check in and make sure there isn’t a problem. They may wait a bit longer if reference letters are slow to come in (which is why it is good to start this process before application submission).

16. Board of Review is scheduled. If a Scout is asked to help coordinate this, follow directions to assist, but it may be set up through the District in cooperation with your Committee Chair. The person who will chair your Board of Review will be in contact with you to schedule a time, date and location.

17. Complete your Board of Review: Please refer to the "Board of Review" tab for recommendations on this.

18. Upon successful completion of your Board of Review, you aren’t done! You still need to turn in the signed application to the Council. Again, WALK IT IN. Don’t mail it. It is suggested that you also make a copy and or take a picture of the application for your records. Wear your uniform!!!

19. You will be notified when application is processed at the National office, at which point you are, in fact, an Eagle Scout. Congratulations! This process takes anywhere from two to four weeks. National will send you a certificate and the official Eagle pin/medal, to be picked up in Council office. Upon this notice, it is appropriate to begin the process of organizing your Court of Honor, the design of which is entirely up to you and your family. Please refer to the "Court of Honor" tab for information that might be helpful for this.