Eagle Scout Project Tips

[ItsBrian]

Hi,

 

First post, new to the forum.

 

I'm currently doing my Eagle Scout Project and let me say, it isn't as easy as you think. My project is quite simple but raising the money is the most challenging part. 

 

What do you guys think about parents funding a whole project? 

 

 

Anyway,

 

Some tips I'm learning...

 

1. Don't wait till after you finish to fill out the Plan section in the workbook!

 

2. Apply for A LOT grants, you won't get some, MANY companies offer them... I have just received a $75 gift card from a grocery store... 

 

3. Ask for help while planning, you'll need it.

 

4. Get to your "worksite" EARLY don't be setting up as volunteers come. Sidenote: I volunteered at one in my Troop recently, and he had to keep going home and it was a big mess. 

 

5. No one ever said you can't have help, some may say it has to be ALL you, but ask your parents for help even if they aren't involved in scouting. My mom has helped me find places to request donations.

 

6. Factor in purchasing food and water for your volunteers.

 

7. If you need to apply to grants and get donations, do it AT LEAST 6 weeks in advance of when you want the materials. That is my mistake I didn't do.

 

 

 

Let me know what you guys think and if this helps!

 

 

[HelpfulTracks]

Those are some good lessons you have learned.

 

Since you are already into your project, you may not find these helpful, but others following you might.

• Choose something that you are passionate about to work on - if you love what you are doing it will be easier to drive through the tough parts
• Start thinking about your project early. Having some solid ideas before you even hit Life is a good thing. You should not start working it though. wait until you hit Life and get approval.
• What you end up doing may not be your 1st, 2nd or even 10th idea. Don't stress about it, you will figure it out.
• If you ar 15 or 16 don't put it off. You will end up being rushed at the end. If you are a little younger you can wait a bit, but not too long.

 

For where you are now...

• You absolutely should not do it ALL on your own. A big part of your Eagle project is about leadership and planning. Get advice, opinions, feedback..... but you need to take all of the advice and turn it into a project. Learning to delegate task is also part of leadership.
• Planning - you need to think about every aspect of the project (and it looks like you are doing so). Little things matter. Think about not just what needs to be done, but how it is going to be done, who is doing what, what they will need (including food and water), think about what will make the project fail and have a contingency plan. Think about how to mitigate possible problems. And record all of that in your notes and in the plan.
• As for parents paying for everything.... remember a Scout is thrifty. Think about what things in your project you can do without spending money or as least not as much money. See if you can build or make something you might otherwise buy. For example, a construction site or lumber yard may have wood scraps that you can use. Try getting donations where you can but also consider a fund raiser to help pay for what you need. While your parents may be able to pay for it, it says a lot to your EBOR if you made it happen without their needing to fund it.
• Relax and enjoy it. Sure there is a lot to do, but don't let it stress you out. Tackle each problem and move on to the next. This is a once-in-a-lifetime event so you should enjoy it too.

Good luck and have fun!

[RememberSchiff]

@ welcome to scouter.com

 

100% agree prepare your worksite before crew arrives.

100% family funding of your project is allowed, but remember you are part of your family. Your monetary contribution could be from money earned from jobs, returning recyclables, selling some of your possessions - an old bike, video games.

 

My advice:

   Establish your priorities - family, school,..., Eagle Project...

   Decide how much time you can spend and when, decide on a project that could fit within those time bounds and your budget.

   You can be just as passionate and satisfied with a small, low-cost Eagle project as with a large, expensive Eagle project.

  

My $0.02

[ItsBrian]

Those are some good lessons you have learned.

 

Since you are already into your project, you may not find these helpful, but others following you might.

• Choose something that you are passionate about to work on - if you love what you are doing it will be easier to drive through the tough parts
• Start thinking about your project early. Having some solid ideas before you even hit Life is a good thing. You should not start working it though. wait until you hit Life and get approval.
• What you end up doing may not be your 1st, 2nd or even 10th idea. Don't stress about it, you will figure it out.
• If you ar 15 or 16 don't put it off. You will end up being rushed at the end. If you are a little younger you can wait a bit, but not too long.

 

For where you are now...

• You absolutely should not do it ALL on your own. A big part of your Eagle project is about leadership and planning. Get advice, opinions, feedback..... but you need to take all of the advice and turn it into a project. Learning to delegate task is also part of leadership.
• Planning - you need to think about every aspect of the project (and it looks like you are doing so). Little things matter. Think about not just what needs to be done, but how it is going to be done, who is doing what, what they will need (including food and water), think about what will make the project fail and have a contingency plan. Think about how to mitigate possible problems. And record all of that in your notes and in the plan.
• As for parents paying for everything.... remember a Scout is thrifty. Think about what things in your project you can do without spending money or as least not as much money. See if you can build or make something you might otherwise buy. For example, a construction site or lumber yard may have wood scraps that you can use. Try getting donations where you can but also consider a fund raiser to help pay for what you need. While your parents may be able to pay for it, it says a lot to your EBOR if you made it happen without their needing to fund it.
• Relax and enjoy it. Sure there is a lot to do, but don't let it stress you out. Tackle each problem and move on to the next. This is a once-in-a-lifetime event so you should enjoy it too.

Good luck and have fun!

Thanks for the tips!

[ItsBrian]

@ welcome to scouter.com

 

100% agree prepare your worksite before crew arrives.

100% family funding of your project is allowed, but remember you are part of your family. Your monetary contribution could be from money earned from jobs, returning recyclables, selling some of your possessions - an old bike, video games.

 

My advice:

   Establish your priorities - family, school,..., Eagle Project...

   Decide how much time you can spend and when, decide on a project that could fit within those time bounds and your budget.

   You can be just as passionate and satisfied with a small, low-cost Eagle project as with a large, expensive Eagle project.

  

My $0.02

 

 

I agree completely with you too. My project is averaging 350.. which is not much at all compared to others. I've requested many grants from companies and requested donations in person. 

Thanks for the help!

[Scout12]

If your building something, Lowe's Small Grant is a good one, but it takes a month or so to come through!