The Process and Forms
Congratulations for taking on the challenge of becoming an Eagle Scout, a distinction that will stay with you for a lifetime. The most current Guide to Advancement is the official source for administering advancement in all Boy Scouts of America programs. Below is a summary
- Complete All the Requirements (9.0.1.1). Confirm that the following requirements have been completed before the 18th birthday: merit badges, service project, active participation, Scout spirit, position of responsibility, and unit leader conference. Note that the unit leader (Scoutmaster) conference need not be the last item accomplished. The board of review may be conducted after the 18th birthday.
- Prepare the Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook (9.0.1.2). Scouts must use the current Service Project Workbook.
- Complete the Application (9.0.1.3). The Scout must complete the official Eagle Scout Award Application.
- Obtain Required Signatures (9.0.1.4). The unit leader and committee chair signatures represent approval for the candidate to move on to a board of review. In providing them, the signers carefully check the application. It may be helpful to compare the application to the Scout’s current advancement profile obtained through the BSA system or to a printout obtained from the local council service center.
- Council Verifies Application and Board of Review Scheduled (9.0.1.6). Everything is checked against council records. If everything is correct, the council provides a verification signature, files a copy of the application, and notifies via email, or invites the Scout to pick up the original. The board should be scheduled only after the council-verified application is received. Download District Eagle Board schedule and contacts towards bottom of page under RESOURCES section.
- References Contacted (9.0.1.7). It is necessary to obtain reference letters for your Eagle Board of Review to read. These are to be requested by you and mailed by your references to your Unit Leader who will take them to your Eagle Board of Review. Guidelines for Obtaining Reference Letters, Confidential Return Envelope for Reference Letters, and Confidential Eagle Scout Reference Form can be found further down on this webpage.
- Application Returned to Council Service Center (9.0.1.8). If a board of review approves a candidate, the signed application is returned to the local council.
- Council Sends Application to National Advancement Team (9.0.1.9).
- National Advancement Team Returns Credentials (9.0.1.10) The National Advancement Team validates all applications received. Then the National Distribution Center generates the credentials and prints, packages, and mails the certificate, pocket card, and congratulatory letter to the council. Applications sent for manual processing go to the National Advancement Team and take several weeks (2-4 weeks) to complete. Upon receipt of the Eagle credentials, council service center personnel will alert unit leadership via email, (Scoutmaster, Crew Advisor or Skipper) stating that there are credentials back for their unit, and they can come pick them up.
Resources
Eagle Scout Paperwork
Find the most updated Scouting Forms, including Eagle Scout paperwork listed below, from the National BSA Office at: www.Scouting.org/Resources/Forms
- Eagle Scout Rank Application
- Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook
- National Eagle Scout Project Scholarship Application
- National Eagle Scout Association Membership Application
- Spirit of the Eagle Application
- Duplicate Eagle Scout/NESA credentials
Eagle Scout Service Project Fundraising Application
The Eagle Scout Service Project Fundraising Application (page 17 of the Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook) must be used by Scouts to obtain approval for Eagle Scout project fundraising or to secure donations of materials for their Eagle projects. This is necessary for all circumstances except when all contributions are from the candidate, their parents or relatives, unit or chartering organization, parents or other members of their unit, or the beneficiary of the project. Scouts should submit the fillable form to the council for consideration. The Scout should also print a copy and include it with the project plan. Within two business days, the Scout will receive an email response either seeking additional information or providing project funding approval. When approved, a copy of the approval email is to be included with the fundraising application as a part of the Scout's project plan.
- Submit fundraising applications via email Morgan.Baxter@scouting.org
- Project must be approved in advance: Eagle Scout Service Project Fundraising Form
- The project must be done in the name of the beneficiary (not the troop).
- The beneficiary organization retains leftover funds.
- If the troop is holding project funds, these funds must be turned over to the project beneficiary immediately after expenses have been paid.
- Gift documentation must come from the project beneficiary
- Realize that approaches to big box stores will be met with a request for a tax letter, which you may or may not be able to secure from your project beneficiary.
- Parents should let their Scout provide leadership and resist the temptation of raising funds or using their influence.
- A Scout is courteous – and should follow up with a note of thanks
- Guide to Advancement (section 9)
Additional Eagle Scout Resource forms:
Eagle Scout Service Projects
- Service Project Guidelines contain age guidelines for tool use and work at elevations or excavations.
- Service Project Planning Guidelines can be utilized for all Scouting service projects including Eagle Scout service projects. The guidelines must not be construed to be additional requirements for an Eagle Scout service project, but they do represent elements that should appear on the Eagle Scout candidate’s final project plan from the Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook, No. 512-927. The next revision of the workbook will incorporate these guidelines
Eagle Scout Application Process
Read important information about the Eagle Scout application process. The Guide to Advancement is the official source for administering advancement in all Boy Scouts of America programs.
Verify Name on Eagle Scout Certificate
After you receive your Eagle Scout certificate, you have 60 days to contact the council if there are any errors. Corrections before 60 days, must be submitted to Melissa Moore at (210)341-8611 ext. 101 or Melissa.moore@scouting.org. After the 60 days, corrections are made directly through www.NESA.org. Replacement Eagle Credentials cost between $5-$25 plus shipping & handling.
Publicizing Your Accomplishment
Attaining the rank of Eagle Scout is a newsworthy event. Nationwide, only 2% of youth who start out in Scouting ever achieve this rank, a rare accomplishment.
• Send pictures of your Eagle Scout project and your Eagle Scout Court of Honor on our council Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/AlamoAreaBSA). Either tag the council Facebook page or send your pictures as a message to the page.
• Eagle Scout information can be provided to the local news media. The troop committee or Eagle Scout’s family can submit a photo and a press release. For help from the Council's PR team, email PR@AlamoAreaBSA.org.
Eagle Scout Luncheon – Gathering of Eagles
The annual Eagle Scout Luncheon recognizes the previous year’s Eagle Scout class. The council continues its tradition of providing this reception free of charge for new Eagle Scouts and only $15 for their guests.
Eagle Scout Association
Eagle Scouts are encouraged to become members of the AAC Eagle Scout Association. Membership is open to all Eagle Scouts, and there is no charge to join ESA-AAC. The council Eagle Scout committee is affiliated with the National Eagle Scout Association (NESA). All Eagle Scouts are encouraged to get involved, volunteer and stay in touch.
Eagle Scout Scholarships
Over 200 scholarships are available to Eagle Scouts ranging in size up to $50,000 each. Academic scholarships and merit scholarships are available.
Honor an Eagle Scout
Eagle Scouts have achieved an outstanding accomplishment and deserve special recognition. Honor the Eagle Scout with the James E. West Award. Visit the AAC Eagle Scout Association website for additional ideas.
Adams Eagle Scout Project of the Year Award
The Glen A. and Melinda W. Adams Eagle Scout Project of the Year recognize young men and women who have demonstrated excellence in their Eagle Scout service project. Each finalist will receive a certificate and the council award recipient will receive a bronze award device for their uniform.
