Eagle Reference Letters

[bminer]

Are there any written guidelines regarding who the person must be and how that person is acquainted with a Scout in order to provide a letter for a Scout's Eagle Application for the Religioud Reference?

[eisely]

I am not aware of any written guidelines. Our middle son was involved with a youth group at a church we didn't even belong to, and the leader of that youth group wrote a nice letter for him. It has to be a bona fide "religious leader" but probably doesn't have to be from the highest authority in your local church, synagogue, parish, mosque, etc.

[evmori]

I know the parents of the Eagle candidate, someone from the candidates school (teacher, administrator), pastor or similar & two other personal references are required.

 

Ed Mori

Scoutmaster

Troop 1

[sctmom]

What if the scout does not attend church? Do they still have to provide a "religious leader" as a reference?

[jmcquillan]

There are, indeed, very religious folks out there who don't attend church. But whatever faith they participate in likely have some sort of leader who can serve the part. In the case of the family that deos not participate in an organized religion, perhaps practicing at home, the BSA allows for a letter from the candidate stating what his beliefs are, and how they impact his life, and how he fulfills his Duty to God. The letter of recommendation that usually comes from the parents can serve to reinforce that statement and how the Scout fulfills his duty to God.