The Complete Guide to The Eagle Project

The Eagle Scout Service Project is likely the most difficult and time-consuming single requirement for a Boy Scout in his career. It is also usually the final requirement before a Scout submits his application for his Eagle.

So why is it so difficult? Well, all the requirements before this have been somewhat structured. Merit badges have specific requirements and ranking up tells you exactly what you need to do. But to many Scouts’ eventual surprise, the Project is very open-ended. There are very few rules or guidelines; the requirement only says to “plan, develop, and give leadership to others in a service project helpful to any religious institution, school, or community.”

So not only you can see how important the requirement is, but also how much of a change of pace it is from previous requirements. This can leave potential Eagle Scouts floundering for months of precious and limited time, struggling to come up with a new idea from scratch. The daunting task can also discourage Life Scouts (the rank right below Eagle) from even trying, choosing to focus on more “manageable” tasks like school and sports.

This problem is what I am here to stop. My mission is to break down the Eagle Project into its real steps and make it seem more manageable. Hopefully, this will help potential Eagle Scouts find a project, plan it, and execute it, while also showing all that goes into the hardest requirement in Boy Scouts.

Step 1: Find a project OR a beneficiary

This step can be the most difficult to some Scouts; executing on an idea can sometimes be easier than finding one. If you just need some quick inspiration to get going, check out this list of example projects from ScoutSmarts. Pick a project and “sell” it to a beneficiary (the person or organization on the receiving end of your project). Make sure to mention you are working as a volunteer and explain exactly what your project entails.
None of these seem feasible? No problem, try finding a beneficiary first. Think places of worship, parks, libraries, or other organizations in your area. Then go to them and ask if they need anything done! Often, this can lead to a perfect project, one that directly helps the beneficiary and satisfies the project requirements above. I had a Scout in my troop approach a church about a potential project, and they had us build a dirt path through the park behind the property.
So find an idea! Remember, the requirements are purposely open-ended. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box.

Step 2: Draw up the proposal and get it approved

The next big step is actually very structured and is clear on what you need to be doing. All you need to be doing here is filling out the Project Proposal. When planning, it helps to imagine yourself on the day of the project. Ask yourself questions about every detail: What’s the weather like? Do we have all of our supplies? Do we have enough volunteers? Will there be food? If you are building something, do you have all the supplies needed? How will you demonstrate leadership? How will the project help the beneficiary? Every detail must be thought out.
Your next task will be getting it approved by certain leaders in your troop, your beneficiary, and your district leader. This should be a breeze if you have followed the steps so far; they will probably be asking these same questions.
The Proposal can seem daunting, but work through it page by page and you should be on the right track. After all, it was written for people exactly like yourself! You should not need to worry about the Project Plan just yet; focus on getting your Proposal approved by all four members. If you ever need more information or help contacting these people, ask your Scoutmaster.

Step 3: Plan if you need to, fundraise if you need to

This step will be at least partially optional for many Scouts. Filling out the Project Plan and the fundraising application are both optional for your project.
After getting it approved, do you still feel a little mentally scrambled on your project? If so, then the Plan is for you, fill it out here. This lets you implement any suggestions given by your four approvers. It also goes more in-depth, letting you structure some of the more obscure details of your project.
The fundraising application is for the Scouts needing funds to complete their project. This often applies to those who choose to build for their Project.* You will be asked how you will raise funds, how they will be used, and more.

Step 4: Gather your volunteers

Every project will need volunteers. In your Project Proposal, you should have gone over how many volunteers you need and for how long. You should also know if you need food and drink, tools for them to use, safety equipment, and more.
So export this information to your troop! This is the most common way of gathering volunteers for your project. Come to a meeting with a sign-up sheet and make an announcement. Remember that you are selling your project to them, just a little different than the way you sold to your beneficiary. Mention what they will get out of it: service hours, food, and the opportunity to help the troop to name a few.
Once you have your required number of volunteers, you should be ready to move on to the penultimate step.

Step 5: Game time

Execute on your Proposal and/or your Plan. Make sure everyone (including the beneficiary) knows when the project will start and end. Double-check that your volunteers all know where to go. Ensure that all your volunteers know what the project is and what they will all be doing. As they arrive, have your volunteers write down what time they started.
While the project is underway, think about how you are demonstrating leadership. Are you making important decisions? Are people coming to you for answers? Are you directing your volunteers? Are you making sure those working under you are not bothering other guests of the beneficiary? Are you on schedule to finish in your allotted time?
Once your project is complete, your volunteers may leave. But your work is not over. Have all your volunteers sign out with the time that they ended so their volunteer hours are on record. Make sure you thank your beneficiary for hosting the Project. Leave no trace! Ensure that the project site is as clean or cleaner than when you arrived.

Step 6: Reflection and Submission

After your project is complete, you will have to fill out the Project Report (the final form). This goes over the challenges you faced, what you could have done better, how you demonstrated leadership, and other reflective questions.
After completing this form, you will have officially fulfilled all requirements in the Eagle Project. Much of these forms and your experiences will be brought up in your Eagle Board of Review, job interviews, and more. Get in contact with your Scoutmaster to find out what is your next step in your journey to Eagle.
If you have completed all these steps, congratulations! You have taken arguably the most important step in your Scouting journey.

Hopefully, this article gives all the information necessary to effectively execute on a top-tier Eagle Project. It should clear the waters on what is usually a daunting, open-ended, challenging task. Finally, I hope that even non-Scouts can now understand the steps needed in this demonstration of leadership: the Eagle Project.