Life to Eagle

There's a lot to do to advance from Life to Eagle. With school, sports and all the other activities in your busy life, it takes real commitment to complete all the Eagle requirements.

The Eagle Advisor, who is the troop's assistant scoutmaster for the Eagle Rank, is here to support you. Any time after Life Board of Review, set up a meeting with the Eagle Advisor and they can give you valuable advice and support.

The key requirements for Eagle are the Eagle project, finishing merit badges, requesting reference letters, and staying active. These can be done in any order but only the merit badges can be done before you pass your Life Scout Board of Review.

Start thinking about possible Eagle projects. Reach out to schools, churches, charities, and other non-profit organizations and ask them for ideas. Discuss their suggestions and your thoughts with your Eagle Advisor, as their experience can assist you in making a good choice. Give yourself plenty of time to prepare your project proposal, get it approved by the Scoutmaster, the Troop Committee, the Beneficiary, and the Rose Bowl District's Eagle Advancement chair, and raise money (there is no requirement that you raise funds).

Don't delay finishing those Eagle-required merit badges. Remember that several require at least three months to complete. And you will want to ask for reference letters early so that they do not delay your Eagle Board. Finally, remember that you still need to be active in the troop and your leadership role as a Life Scout. Make sure you are very clear on your Scoutmaster’s expectations for this requirement.

There's paperwork you'll need to complete. You will discuss the requirements with your Eagle Advisor and what you need to do for each. All of this is collected in a digital folder created by the Eagle Advisor, along with documentation of your merit badges, dates of advancement, and participation in troop activities.

After the Eagle Advisor reviews your materials to make sure they are satisfactory, you will have your final Scoutmaster Conference. The Eagle Advisor then submits your Eagle folder to the Rose Bowl District's Eagle Advancement chair – this must be before your 18th birthday. Finally, the Eagle Advisor will arrange your Eagle Board of Review.

After passing your Eagle Board, you prepare for your Eagle Court of Honor, where you'll be recognized in a special ceremony.