Trail to Eagle Scout
Resources and information to help your Scout achieve Scouting America’s highest rank: Eagle Scout.
Steps from Life to Eagle Scout
Scouting America’s Guide to Advancement details the requirements for each step from Life rank to Eagle rank. The process involves the Scout, the troop leadership, the district, and the council.
This page outlines the steps for the final climb from Life rank to the pinnacle rank in the Scout America program, Eagle. Some of the steps are sequential, while other steps began early in the Scout’s advancement journey and contribute to meeting the Eagle rank requirements.
District Eagle Scout
Board Contacts
Headwaters District
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North Star District
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Scout Mountain District
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Twin Buttes District
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The 12 Essentials for your Trail to Eagle Scout!
1. Life Scouts Pursuing Eagle
Scouts who have earned the Life rank are encouraged to review this information as preparation for completing the Eagle Scout requirements. This is not the official record of requirements, but a helpful starting point.
Do not wait until you are close to your 18th birthday to begin. All Eagle requirements must be finished before turning 18 in order to apply.
Note: All contacts must follow Safeguarding Youth requirements for contacts via email, phone, social media and/or text with an inclusion or CC to a registered leader or parent.
2. Preparing Your Journey
“Be Prepared” by starting work on Eagle-required merit badges even before earning Life rank, since some requirements take time to complete.
The Eagle Scout Service Project often takes at least 2–4 months, and sometimes much longer.
If you have questions about the Eagle Project or application, talk with your Unit Leaders, Unit Advancement Chair, Eagle Mentor, or District Advancement Committee.
Essential Tips
Review the current Eagle Scout requirements in Scoutbook.
Use Scoutbook to pre-fill your application; it will carry over most of your information.
Make sure your name is entered exactly as you want it to appear on your Eagle Scout certificate.
Type your application so it is easy to read.
Plan ahead to finish all requirements before your 18th birthday.
For the latest requirements and policies, visit Scouting America Advancement and Awards.
3. Eagle Mentor/Coach
Always “Be Prepared” by using the Buddy System when working on your rank.
It is strongly recommended that you find an Eagle Mentor. Meet with your Unit Leader to identify someone who can support you. Most units have an Eagle Mentor who:
Knows the current Eagle requirements
Works closely with the District Eagle Coordinator
Is someone you enjoy working with
Essential Tip
Eagle Mentors guide and advise you through the Eagle Project process. They do not do the work or make decisions for you.
Reminder
All meetings, counseling sessions, emails, and text messages must follow Scouting America’s 2-Deep Leadership requirements.
4. Plan & Complete Your Eagle Scout Project
Purpose of the Eagle Service Project
The Eagle Scout Service Project helps you meet Requirement 5 for Eagle:
Plan
Develop
Give leadership in a service project that benefits your community.
Eagle Mentor or Project Coach
Work with an Eagle Mentor or Project Coach from your unit. They:
Advise and guide you
Review your work
Support you through the process
They do not write your Proposal, Plan, or Report. That is your responsibility!
Getting Started
Download the current Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook.
Includes: Proposal, Plan, and Report
Only use the official version.
Review the Workbook carefully.
Anything marked “must” is required.
Make sure you understand all requirements and approvals.
Choosing a Project
Pick a project that interests you. If you don’t like your choice, you can select a new one. Try talking it over with your Mentor or Coach.
Common project types include:
Conservation
Construction
Collection
Creative
For ideas, check with:
Unit leaders
Other Eagle Scouts
Schools, communities, or religious groups
NESA’s Eagle Project Idea Generator
The Proposal
Complete the Proposal section of the Workbook.
It can be typed, fillable PDF, or handwritten in ink (legible, no pencil).
Provide clear, detailed answers so anyone can understand your project without extra questions.
Obtain approvals from:
Unit Leader
Unit Committee
Beneficiary
District representative
You cannot begin work until all approvals are signed.
Fundraising
Some fundraisers (like bake sales or car washes) may not need approval. It’s a good idea to check with your council.
A Fundraising Application may be required for money, supplies, tools, or other donations.
Not required for contributions from you, your family, your unit, or the beneficiary.
Fundraising cannot begin until the application is approved.
The Plan
Use the Plan section of the Workbook to map out your project in detail.
It does not require official approval, but should be reviewed by your Coach, unit, and beneficiary.
Include enough detail so someone else could finish the project if needed.
Share a copy with your Eagle Board of Review if possible.
The beneficiary may require you to complete and approve a Plan.
The Report
Complete the Report section after finishing your project.
Provide enough detail to answer all questions.
Sign the Report and get approvals from the Beneficiary and Unit Leader.
Before-and-after photos are highly encouraged.
For district approvals, check your District website for contact information.
5. Your Paperwork for the Eagle Rank
Submitting Your Packet
Turn in your Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook, Eagle Scout Rank Application Form, and Letter of Ambition together in a binder. This keeps everything neat and prevents pages from being lost. Plastic sheet protectors are optional but helpful, especially for photos.
Eagle Scout Rank Application
Use the most current form from Scouting.org.
Submit the completed and signed application to the Scout Office along with your Project Workbook.
The Scout Office will verify all dates. To avoid delays, check ScoutBook and make sure all information matches what you’ve entered on your application.
Letter of Ambition
Write a short statement that includes:
Your ambitions and life purpose
Leadership positions held in school, church, camp, community, or other organizations
Honors and awards received during this service
Eagle Letters of Reference
At least one month before your Board of Review, request reference letters from the people listed on your Eagle application (Requirement #2).
Print 5 reference forms from your District website (6 if you have an employer reference).
Give each person a copy of the form and a stamped, pre-addressed envelope to the District Advancement Chair.
The Eagle Scout Candidate is not to collect or read the letters. They are confidential and will only be reviewed by your Eagle Board of Review members.
6. Your Eagle Scout Board of Review
Eagle Board of Review
After the Scout Office verifies your Rank Application, your name is sent to the District for an Eagle Board of Review.
The District will contact you to schedule the date and time.
Final Approval
Your Eagle rank becomes official once National approves it, usually 2–3 weeks after your Board of Review.
The council Scout Office will email your Scoutmaster when the certificate is ready.
The certificate is normally mailed to you, but you or your Scoutmaster may choose to pick it up by contacting the Scout Office.
7. Plan Your Court of Honor
You deserve to be recognized for this huge achievement!
An Eagle Scout Court of Honor is a special ceremony celebrating Scouts who earn Scouting’s highest rank.
The Scout may plan and hold this ceremony once the National Advancement Committee has officially approved their Eagle rank.
Check out Eagle Scout Award Suggested Ceremonies Compiled by NESA.
8. Sharing Your Story and Project Locally and Nationally
Congratulations on Completing Your Project!
Please share your story with your local news media and Council social media team!
Scout Life – Eagle Project Showcase
Besides showcasing your Eagle Project with the council, go the extra step and share your project to Scout Life Magazine’s Eagle Project Showcase
Is Your Eagle Project Award-Winning?
The National Eagle Scout Association established the Glenn A. and Melinda W. Adams Service Project of the Year Award to recognize valuable service of an exceptional nature by an Eagle Scout candidate to a religious institution, a school, community, or other entity through completion of an Eagle Scout project.
If you think so, apply for the Glenn A. and Melinda Adams Eagle Scout Project of the Year by January 31st here. Project of the Year Award DOES NOT require NESA membership.
9. Apply for Eagle Scout Scholarships
A number of organizations and schools offer scholarships for Eagle Scouts. Because the available awards and application processes change often, Scouts are encouraged to conduct an internet search for scholarships.
10. Support Future Eagle Scouts
There are a multitude of ways you can support future Eagle Scouts.
First, we recommend giving to the local Eagle Scout Scholarship fund. All proceeds go directly toward next year’s Eagle Scout Scholarship Award winners.
Next, check out the “Ways to Give” page so that you can better understand how you can support Scouting in your future. Imagine thousands of Scouts becoming an Eagle Scout just like you because of you!
