This section was developed in response to questions from several scouts and parents
about how to become an Eagle Scout. It is not meant to be a substitute for one-on-one
conversations among scouts, parents, and troop adult leaders. Please remember, when you
have questions... ask. To scouts, please also remember that Scoutmaster Conferences and
Boards of Review are chances for you to get information from the adult leaders, not just
the other way around.There is no 'secret' to becoming an Eagle Scout. The secret is to JUST DO IT. However,
there is a strategy you can use to make sure you reach the top of Eagle Mountain.
General Notes:
 | The most important thing you can do is to be an active scout. That just
means attending all of the weekly meetings you can, attending all the monthly
campouts you can, and just being a good scout. Many scout meetings and campouts
offer instruction on specific advancement items and if you miss the instruction it may not
be offered again for some time.
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| The next most important thing is
active parental support.
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| Read your Handbook. Your Boy Scout Handbook
contains all the information you need to become a great Scout. You
should be familiar with it. Take a few minutes each night, or at
least a couple times a week to read it. By the time you are a Star or
Life Scout you should have read the entire book.
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| Keep a Good Scout Notebook.
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| Do Your Assignments. Often, especially when you're in merit badge
classes, you will have assignments to complete. They should never be more than an hour or
two's worth of work. You can't complete the badge if you don't do the requirements so when
you have assignments, DO THEM! |
Specific Steps:
| During your first year as a Boy Scout you should try to reach the rank of First
Class. The most important thing is to attend summer camp during your
first year. While at summer camp, participate in the First Year Program
(which goes by a different name at every camp). If you attend all of the classes you will
knock out nearly all of the requirements to reach First Class (other than those which have
a time requirement attached to them). Outside of camp, during weekly meetings and monthly
campouts, the Troop adult leaders and older scouts will offer classes geared toward
completing the requirements up to First Class.
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| When you reach First Class rank it tells the troop leaders that you are a serious,
maturing Scout (When B-P began Scouting, First Class was the last rank!). After
this point advancement will be much more in your own hands. There are many merit
badges, including some Eagle required ones, which you can complete pretty much on your own
(make sure you have a Troop Counselor before you start). This is not to say that the Troop
is abandoning you, but it will no longer hold you by the hand and make sure that each
requirement gets signed off.
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| Always take advantage of classes offering Eagle required merit badges.
Classes on some of the Eagle required merit badges are only offered periodically, perhaps
only every other year. That means, when the opportunity comes to complete one, don't just
procrastinate and say you'll do it next time... next time may not come for a long time.
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| After First Class the quickest way to advance is still to always attend summer
camp. Advancement after First Class depends mostly on earning merit
badges and holding leadership positions. You can easily earn four or five merit
badges in just one week at camp.
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| While at summer camp earn the tough badges. There are some merit badges
which are very difficult or impossible to the Troop to offer on its own. These include
Swimming, Lifesaving, and Environmental Science. However, you should also make sure while at
summer camp to have fun. Take classes in the Handicraft area
(Leatherwork, Basketry...), Scoutcraft area (Pionerring, Orienteering... these are both
fun and teach important Scout Skills), Shooting Skills (Archery, Rifle Shooting...), and
be sure to leave time to chill.
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| Find a Leadership Position. As mentioned above, after First Class you
also need to hold a leadership position in order to advance. If you don't get elected to SPL or PL there are plenty of appointed positions which are important. Even if all of the
'official' positions get filled you can offer leadership by leading special projects,
teaching classes, and in other ways.
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| Perform Well in Your Position. Just holding a
leadership position doesn't mean you will meet the requirement. You
must be active and work at your position and 'Do Your Best' (to borrow from
Cub Scouts).
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| Life to Eagle. This can be a tricky time for a Scout. By the time you
reach Life rank you are probably at least 13 years old and more than likely are 14, 15, or
even 16. Your life is getting busier with High School, sports, band, work, cars, and
girlfriends. It's easy to leave Scouting. However, you are so close to Eagle, and you've
probably been in Scouts since you were 7 or 8, that you might as well stick it out. This
is the time when you can make your best contributions to your Troop by being a good role
model for younger scouts. You probably have just about all the merit badges you need so
the biggest hurdle is your Eagle Scout Project. This is a major service project which you
lead for the benefit of your community. The Project can take a number
of different forms and is big enough that is should be the subject of an
entire write-up just by itself. |
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