Eagle Project

[viperatx 10]

I am a Star scout right now and recently our troop has started working on the Eagle packet with the Life rank scouts. I have been told by one of our Assistant Scoutmasters that I could also work on the Eagle Packet with them too since I am close to life rank. I was told by the Committee Chairmen that I could not even look at the Eagle Packet. Can someone explain the policy or rule about the starting date of the Eagle Project. I don't actually want to start the project until I am a Life scout but if I think of a project, couldn't I just start on the paper work?

[OldGreyEagle 5]

You can look at the Eagle packet, (your eyes wont burn out, even if you are only a Star scout)

 

You could do some preliminary research if you have settled on a Project, but offical sign-off and approval and when you start counting hours begins when you are life

 

Thats the way I understand it

[viperatx 10]

Ok Thanks for the information but I have one more question, can I start to fill out the Eagle Packet with the other Life scouts. I understand it can't be signed of but can I start to fill in the paper work?

[OldGreyEagle 5]

With all due respect and tenderness...

 

Whoa there big fella, you may be jumping the gun just a bit, how far are you from Eagle? you say you are almost Life, how many more merit badges do you need for Eagle? How far way is having the correct set of 21 ? Could information change between now and then? What will be accomplished by filling out something now that might change in 6 months. I have no adversity to getting a jump on things, but also, dont rush along either.

[viperatx 10]

Thanks I guess I kind of needed that info. The reason why I want to do the packet is because really I think if I had a proper Scoutmaster a while back, I would all ready be the Life rank. I have all the merit badges for Life and I only lack three Eagle required merit badges for Eagle and as for the rest of the requirements, I am the Senior Patrol Leader and will have a service project in a month. But I still have to wait 5 more months untill I can even be Life. I have been in scouts for two years now and I think if my troop's scoutmaster position would have been taken by a more qualified person, I would have been directed and have most of my requirements done. I was a second class scout for over 6 months because no one in my troop was willing to work with me on the orienteering requirement. I would have contacted somebody who would help but I really was new to the troop and the only person who would help never had the time because of his job. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I really think I should be a life scout and that is why I was kind of presistant on this. Plus the fact that I am 16 now and I really do want to make Eagle, but the deadline is creeping ever so faster. Thanks for your input. Just one last question, our troop is having a guest over to talk about the Eagle project and packet and do you think I should listen in or stay out?

[SagerScout 10]

Viperatx - Congratulations on your initiative and planning ahead for reaching your scouting goals! I'd go ahead and listen in on the information, if it's ok with your SM, so that you can be aware of how much time to allot for your work. But I don't think I'd sweat actually doing the paperwork until you are actually a Life scout. The hardest thing in my opinion isn't really the paperwork, it's making a good choice of project - one that you can enjoy and that is really a contribution - and then executing it. You already have shown that you're not going to sit around and wait on someone else to hand you a project plan, so I'd guess that you'll do fine. In the meantime, you could be shopping around for a cause that you care about.

 

[k9gold-scout 10]

There is a reason that they don't just hand out the Eagle applications to scouts until they are Life scouts. In our council not too long ago a Star scout had a signed workbook with his Eagle project - the scoutmaster approved his project, then the district advancement person forgot to ask one question - Are you a Life scout? The Star scout did the project with signed approval - the final result - he would have to do another project after he offically became a Life scout.

[viperatx 10]

Thanks for everyone's input, I took your advice and listened to the discussion. Our District Chairmen talked to us about the Eagle project and I learned a great deal. Now all I have to do is choose a project. I was thinking about giving the homeless shelter downtown a facelift on the outside and maybe even on the inside. I've seen it and it looks like it could use it. I think that would definitely would help the community, what do you think?

[SagerScout 10]

Your idea of helping out the homeless shelter sounds great to me, it serves the greater community. If your parents agree, you might spend some time volunteering down there, like in the kitchen or something. That way you can get to know the folks that run it. Then you'd be in a good spot to see what their priority list would be - it might be the shabby appearance you've noticed or there might be something else that they need even worse that's hidden. Plus, you might meet some really interesting people (both staff and clients! You'll be amazed at the variety of people that end up homeless).

 

This could also serve scouting if you do a really good job and someone in the media notices. Generally I don't think we should draw attention to ourselves for good turns - my church teaches that you should keep the good you do private, between you and God - but positive publicity does help the local scouting program and so the greater good is served if it's noticed.

 

Good luck! I wish you were in my city so I could cheer you on and come to your Eagle COH when you get there!

[dancinfox 10]

Remember, you can do prelimary research on a project, but if you do any of the project before you get all approvals after earning the Life Scout Rank, the project is not an Eagle project, but just a good service project. Just take it slow, you have until your 18 to earn the Eagle Rank. I've seen Life Scouts start working on projects before final approval, including your District or Council advancement person's approval and the project was denied as an Eagle project. After earning your Life Scout Rank, and receiving the Life to Eagle Workbook from your Scoutmaster, read it through, then talk to your Scoutmaster about the project you want to do. After his approval, talk to the organization and get their approval, then your Committee, and after all these approvals set up a meeting with the advancement chair and meet with that person to get their final approval. Be prepared that some of your project might not be approved by them. But they will guide you in the right direction for final approval. Only after their approval, start working on your project. Good Luck.

 

YIS

Dancin