23 Steps to Become Eagle

Countdown Checklist - how many items have you completed?

1. Obtain "Life to Eagle" packet and "Eagle Application Tickler List" from the Advancement Chairman. You should have the most recent Life to Eagle Packet and a Xerox copy of the Eagle Scout Rank Application. If you do not have this see the Advancement Chairman.

2. Make sure you have completed six months in a leadership position. If you have any question about this, see your Scoutmaster immediately.

3. Send out your request for letters of recommendation. Please use the letter provided by the Advancement Chairman. You will need recommendation letters from at least six persons, including 1) parent, 2) religious leader, 3) school principal or teacher, 4) employer (if any), 5) Scoutmaster, 6) Other. If you do not have an employer, include TWO letters from other persons. Along with the letter requesting the letter of recommendation, include stamped envelopes addressed to the Advancement Chairman. Put your name and "Eagle Scout Recommendation Letter" on the back, along with a return address or code for the person this particular letter will be coming from. This is important because these letters are not supposed to be opened until they are handed over to the District Eagle Board.

4. Finish all your merit badge requirements. You must have a total of 21 merit badges, including 12 required merit badges. Please check with the Advancement Chairman if you have any doubt about which merit badges you need to complete.

5. Plan your Eagle Project. Fill out pages 5 and 6 of the Eagle Scout Project Workbook. Obtain required signatures at the bottom or page 6. Read pages 4 and 5 in the Life To Eagle packet. If you need ideas about what would make a good Eagle Project, check out the following web pages:

If that's not enough ideas, do a web search on Eagle Project And see what you come up with!

6. Do your project. Organize and lead Scouts and other helpers. Take pictures. Keep records of time spent and materials used.

7. Fill out pages 7 and 8 of the Eagle Scout Project Workbook. Get signatures of completion at the bottom or page 8.

8. Obtain a letter of completion from the group or organization which is the beneficiary of your project. They need to just write one or two sentences to let us know that you have completed the project according to their specifications. This letter can be sent directly to you or to the Advancement Chairman. If sent to the Advancement Chairman, please make sure they put your name and "Eagle Project Completion Letter" on the outside of the envelope.

9. In addition, to the writeup you did on pages 7 and 8 in the Workbook, type up a 2 page (double spaced) description of the project. Describe the purpose of the project, materials used who helped with the project, how long it took. Interesting things learned while completing the project, final results and anything else you want to let us know.

10. Fill out the "Eagle Resume" on page 10 of the LTE packet. Do the best you can when filling out this information. It is up to you to keep track of this information.

11. Type up a one page essay on your life purpose. This is requirement #6 on the Eagle Scout Application. "Attach to this application a statement of your ambitions and life purpose and a listing of positions held in your religious institution, any school, or your community or other organization during which you demonstrated leadership skills. Include honors and awards received during this service.

12. Check with the Advancement Chairman to see if all of your letters of recommendation and your project completion letter have been received. If they have not, check back with those who are writing the letters.

13. Put your project pictures together into an album or some kind of notebook so you can turn them in with your application. You'll get them back at your Board of Review.

14. Begin filling out the Xerox copy of the Eagle Scout Application attached to the back of the LTE packet. If you have any questions about what dates to put down and which merit badges to list, see the Advancement Chairman. Also, note that the persons listed under requirement 2 must match reference letters received. Please fill out the Xerox copy of the application as it is rather difficult to obtain originals and you do not want to ruin a good application form.

15. Arrange a meeting with the Advancement Chairman to go through your paperwork and make sure everything is in order. Once your Xerox copy of the application has been approved, transfer the information to TWO original application forms.

16. Arrange for a Scoutmaster Conference. Have the Scoutmaster sign your (original) application form under "unit approval." You must also get a signature from the Troop Committee Chairman).

17. Complete the Check List on page 8 of the LTE packet. Sign the form and also have the Scoutmaster sign.

18. Complete the Eagle Application Ticker List. Arrange to meet with the Advancement Chairman to go over your paperwork one last time. Obtain an Advancement Form, your Project Completion letter and your UNOPENED letters of recommendation from the Advancement Chairman.

19. Turn in your paperwork to the Rose Bowl District Eagle Advancement Chairman. His name, address and telephone number can be found on page 11 of your LTE packet. Your paperwork ABSOLUTELY must be turned in to the District Eagle Advancement Chairman prior to your 18th birthday.

20. After the District Eagle Advancement Chairman has met with you and has had a chance to review your paperwork, he will assign your paperwork to one of his assistants who will contact your Troop Advancement Chairman. Your Advancement Chairman will get in contact with you and will set up a date for your Eagle Scout Board of Review.

21. You will need to make arrangements to have 3-4 "members of the community" who can participate in your Board of Review. Check with your Advancement Chairman if you have any questions as to who would be eligible to participate. Be sure to let them know the exact date, time, and location of the Board of Review.

22. You and your parents attend your Eagle Scout Board of Review. Wear your complete dress uniform, including your merit badge sash. Be prepared to recite the Scout Oath and Scout Law.

23. Now, begin frantically planning your Eagle Court of Honor!