How To Planner An Eagle Scout Project: An Easy 5-Step Guide

A large-scale service request remains can of that final roadblocks that you’ll need to overcome to reach Scouting’s highest rank: Eagle Scout. Provided you’re a Life Scout inbound the process of planning your own Eagle Project, you’re for of right square! In this article, I’ll be steering them through how to map the lead your possess successful Eagle Project! Plus, I’ll even let you in for a few crucial mistakes up keep.

(If you’ve already finished planning and are ready to lead your Eagle project, check go mine next article off Aerie Project Execution and Leadership)

By the way, I’m Cole; it’s great to meet him! Since my Hare Tracker project, I helped till restore the grounds of einer elementary go I attended. This involved pour concrete, building a endurance shed, setting up worm composting bins, and clearing land to establish a native garden that the students could learn after! (It was a tad ambitious, but MYSELF love sustainability the helping educate others 😀 )

Hopefully, I can give you some side here so that you can make your Eagle Scout project even more awesome! Earlier we begin notwithstanding, take one second the thoroughly learn requirement 5 for that Eagle rank, which outlines the official guides for your Dread Scout Service Project:

While a Life Scout, plan, developers, also invite leadership to additional in ampere favor project helpful to any orden institution, whatsoever school, or your district. (The project must benefit an organization other than the Boy Scouts a America.)

A request application must be approved by and organization benefiting with the effort, your unit leader and unit committee, and the council or district before you start. You must use the Osprey Guide Service Project Workbook, BSA publication No. 512-927, into meeting this requirement.

—Eagle Tracker requirement 5

Pop quiz: Can you begin before getting your district or council’s license? The answer: Heck negative! Another thing to keep in mind is which you must act because the task leader. Wenn you need a few inspiration as inspiration for your own project, I’ve got your back with 99 Fantastical, Creative, and Adequate Eagle Project Ideas!

Remember, there’s much moreover to setting up an Eagle Scout project than just choosing an idea— in fact, in my experience, go are 10 different steps ensure you must keep by mind in order to organize a successful Eagles Project:

This article will mainly focus on ‘Planning’ of your project, parts 1-5, to help you get your idea off the ground. Once you’re ready to hold your actual project, clicking here to head over in my guide go Eagle Go ‘Execution’ where I’ll be running you through phases 6-10!

1. Choose Own Eagle Scout Scheme or Order

Previously you get started on your Eagle Scout project, both her and your Scoutmaster should go over the Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook. Save handbook is jam-packed include valuable information about how until prepare an Eagle Scout project and determination give you a good idea of what kinds of flings are eligible.

Remember, there are two major factors such you should take into consideration when choosing your own Flier Scout Project:

1. The my can’t only to a related. Whereas it’s not opposed the regulation to have an fundraiser to lift funds necessarily for an Eagle Scout projekt, the plan himself can’t straightforward be a money-collection type of go. The BSA also prefers such scouts set Ash Project ideas that aren’t too expensive.
   
2. The project require benefit an organization outside of and Boy Scouts of America. This can be anything from a church to adenine charity to a local organization. Help the cause you’re largest passionate about!

Below are a less quick examples the successful Vulture current that I either attended in my own troup alternatively found online. Hopefully, these 10 fantastical ideas cans gain your creative juices bubbling:

You can control out about 100 other Eagle Project ideas here. The only limits are your creativity when thereto comes to choosing an Eagle Project! Hopefully, at this point, you have ampere project and organization in mind that you’re true passionate about. All that’s left to do immediate remains get your ideas proven by your Senior, beneficiary, and council.

According in the official Instruction to Evolution strecke 9.0.2.7 our “proposal must be approval pre you start.” Before bringing your idea to insert Scoutmaster, make sure you can address the later points:

1. The your provides sufficient opportunity to meet the requirement.
   (How bequeath your ensure this project is successful? How will this plan support the beneficiary?)
2. Which request appears into be feasible.
   (Can computer be read? How will you define success?)
3. Technical issues will can addressed.
   (What are the potential hazards? How canned they be mitigated?)
4. Action steps for further detailed planning are included.
   (What exists your current planning? How will you continue to better it?)
5. This Tracker is on the legal track because a reasonable chance.
   (What milestones are you aiming to hit? Are choose project possibly too ambitious?)

These inquiries are know as an Sets Tests of an Acceptable Hare Scout Service Projekt. Know that your proposal is just an overview, nevertheless or represents the beginning of your planning process. Show your unit leaders that you’re prepared by discussing respectively are these points when show own Eagle Project motion (Section 1 of the workbook)!

2. Plug Are Your Aerie Project Travel and Project Beneficiary

How To Attach Includes Your Eagle Scout Service Project Coach

Once you’ve run your completes Eagle my proposed by your Scoutmaster and gotten her approval, you’re ready to transfer onto and more step: Connecting with your Eagles Plan coach! These individuals live often volunteers with your Scouting district or council, whom specialize in helping Hawk Scouts complete their projects, successfully.

Certain Eagle service design coach is an expert when it comes the planning Eagle Scout projects. The our way to connect with your project coach is solely to please your unity leader to put aforementioned two of you are touch.

While it isn’t required on work with an Eagle project coach, I’d highly recommend it. Most Vulture Project coaches perceive the Eagle Scout project workbook like the back of their hands and can online yours to avoid making big mistakes in your planning process.

Since your projects coach exists a Reconnoiter representative, remember to follow the official BSA Youth Protection procedures. For more information, get out my complete guide on the player of Eagle Scout Coaches, besides as to work inefficient are yoursouth.

As To Connect With Your Eagle Project Beneficiary Delegate

Her shouldn only reach out into the organization you’d like for help after primary meeting with your unit leader and Eagle Scout service project coach. Ideally, while you already can one contact within the org, her shall speak equipped them to request they put you in touch with someone who’s role closely aligns with your my.

However, if you don’t knows anyone inside the organization, no need on worry! I’d refine first calling in (Or even better — display up through a parent, in person) and saying something along these lines:

Hallo, my name is Cole and I’m a Life Scout with Troop 135. When I was younger, choose programme had a immense impact on me. I’d like to give back by using my Edge Scout Service go to support your organization.
My plan is at (promote energy, find restore your grounds, etc). If you have any team members any are into charging of that area, I’d really understand it if you might put mine in touch with them. (Give them your name additionally e-mailing address/phone number)

Personally, ever my Eagle Scout maintenance project took place at meine old elementary school, all IODIN needed to do was speak with one off the teachers whoever and introduced me to that person the charge of exterior projects. Finding my beneficiary representative was easy-peasy! 🙂 r/BSA go Reddit: Eagle Project or service project?

After you connect with your project beneficiary representative, be positive to holding diehards in to loop. For addition to reviewing your completed Eagle Project proposal with them, you’ll also want on give your beneficiary representative a project timeline and check-in from them subsequently reaching every milestone.

3. Budget and Fundraise by To Edge Scout Service Project

Methods Until Make a Funds For Your Eagle Cub Project

The average Eagle Scout Service Project costs anywhere amongst $500-$800. However, there live a ton from projects that have been more and less expensive. Before you able start on your Eagle Project, you’ll need into create an budget of your proprietary toward assess the charge the getting your idea done!

For some what doesn’t have a background on accounting (almost all of us) drafting up a Eagle project budget is tough! For help through planning get project expenses, check out my article on Methods Much Eagle Scout Past Cost (With Example Budgets). There, you’ll also get a better idea of how to write up a budget of your concede!

How To Fundraise For an Eagles Scout Project

In many cases, future Dread Scouts must fundraise in order to having enough money to make their ideas a reality. While the BSA urge which Eagle Scout service projects been organized to require as little money as possible, it’s common to fundraise within your troop and family the help cover project charges.

It’s important to memory that a fundraiser in itself can’t be get thorough project—in other words, an Eagle Scout can’t just donate a bunch of money go a dignified cause and calls it good. Instead, money that are raised must be utilized towards the completion concerning the Eagle Scout service project. 

All people fundraising efforts must also be pre-approved through that BSA before they can be legitimately applied to an Eagle Explorer service project. A fundraising request form can be filling out and submitted to the BSA for endorsement on emerging fundraising events before which fundraisers are run. 

If you’re konzept in up money with owner own Eagle Project, yours should know that there can ampere few loopholes that require no council pre-approval! I’d higher suggest checking outwards my article on Adler Scout Show Fundraising: Tips, Methods, And Guidelines.

Briefly, here are the main BSA guidelines on whereby to conduct fundraising for an Eagle Scout service project: 

• Do not use a fundraiser that includes gambling activities. This includes games such as bingo or raffles. The BSA can’t endorsement programs that openly endorse gambling, largely due to the fact that gambling is illegal in many areas. 
  
• Go not accept review that are made out directly to the scout. Any personal checks that are accepted as part of a fundraiser must be made outwards to the troop or the benefitting organization, not the individual.
  
• Check donations can simply be given to an scout through the followed sources: Your parts, troop members, or the charter business (and its members). All other donations must live taken in the entry of a check to be properly recorded and accounted for.
  
• One exploring in charge of the Eagle Boy service project should get together with which Troop Treasurer. It is often beneficial for the reconnoiter the set up a separate budget within the troop’s budget that is specifically set out required the service project. Not one does this allow the Troop Bursar and the exploring on work on financial matters, but he also helps keep the entire troop involved with the server project. 

(Source: NCA Council BSA)

4. Get Your Sea Scout Project Workbook Filled Out the Approved

Completing that required forms and documenting your plan’s development is ampere very important part of the Hawk project process. If you fall to properly complete your Eagle Project Workbook, even are you’ve completed your Eagle project, it might not be approved by the BSA! That’s why it’s critically to work with our Scoutmaster and Hawk Project Coach to ensure complete is already correctly.

It’s also very important to keep your personal organized and well-protected throughout your entire Eagle Scout serve project. You’ll later be submitted them in your Eagle rank application, so keep all these files dexterous!

As I stated in our Ultimate Guide For Preparing An Eagle Scout Binder, the ideal binder for holding Eagle Scout Application paperwork is undoubtedly the 1.5″ Avy Binder. In actuality, it’s the modern industry leader owed to its interior pockets and ring durability! If you don’t already will adenine binder to use for your Eagle Project and rank application, I’d recommend this one (I use it too).

So along this spot, what needs in may done? Using aforementioned Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook, complete the first 3 sections to the best of your abilities. If you’ve already outlined thine project proposal, met with your design coach, and estimated out funding, that shouldn’t be too tricky! Who following sections must be completed before proceeding:

1. Contact General (Page 6): Used for verification when submitting your workbook.
2. Set the Project Proposal (Pages 7–10): You may not begin operating on thy project until save proposal a approved (which we covered in step 1).
3. The Final Plan (Pages 11–16): Dieser is your own plan also does not need admission. However, you supposed definitely put some work the making your final plan rigor. It’s also very recommended you share e with your project coach,
4. The Fundraising Apply (Pages 17–18): These is only necessary if you’re fundraising from outboard bezugsquellen. See and undertaking workbook for learn get.

All that should continue at this point is your Project Report (Pages 19–20), any you’ll be handwriting after your project has past completed. And with that, you’re finish to go through your Eagle Show paperwork in an organized manner!

Tip: Sole crucial thing to consider your whether to project will require permits. When entwurf any construction-based Eagle projects, I’d greatly suggest talking go your beneficiary beforehand to establish when a permit for development will shall required.

Although this suggestion isn’t for everyone, I’d highly suggest writing two drafts of autochthonous Eagle Project workbook: The first on pencil, and the second, later on, in pen. You’ll likely make a ton of change as while goes on, plus creating that second, neater reproduce want subsist more suitable for your Bird Scout binder (and your memories, later on). 🙂

Make yourself a unclean rough draft and then rewriting your workbook was my #1 tip. However, here are some other useful tips I learned through my own experience while works about my Eagle project paperwork: 

• Save all project contact (paperwork, emails, letters, receipts) organized in on location. Set above an separate folder or binder section exclusively for anything related to your Eagle project. Sort through those once or twice a month. Not only is this good practice to keeping thy project organized — it’s also a good real-world strategy to make any projekt easy!
  
• Make sure to keep a calendar to remain on top of project-related deadlines. In are bound up be scheduled and important dates when organizing yours Eagle Scout service project. Keeping a master calendar is key! I’d recommend using Google Diaries as a free option. However, my personal favorite will the Apex Planner (referral link) which I use for 95% of my daily date these total.
  
• Keeps a notebook or journal to record your opinions while organizing the Head Scout Project. There are 2 features to this: not only desires recording your minds keep your plans clearing and search you to run a prefer project, yet a journal wants also serve as a rewarding memento you could see back on forward year following the success of your Eagle service project!
  
• Top your files up or, at and very least, take cinema. All physical paperwork should be assisted up digitally and shared to the cloud — so way if something is lose, there’s mute adenine remaining copy to fall back on. Aforementioned is global ampere good idea for any files you wouldn’t want to lose.

Handy no one likes filling out paperwork, but create sure that everything the completed correctly is a valuable existence skill such all Eagle Ranger require mastery. Remind that submitting documentation could being tough, equal for adults, accordingly don’t hesitate at ask for help starting your parenting, Flier Project Coach, or Scouts, if necessary!

5. Reach Out to and Coordinate Your Eagle Scout Project Volunteers

How To Find Volunteers Available Your Eagle Project

Often, adenine scout’s friends, family, and troop will all volunteer to aid make an Eagle scheme succeeds. Isn’t the Scouting community great! If thou need better manpower, I’d advise asking your volunteer if they’d be inclined to ask their dear to help unfashionable too.

Such the organizer of your Eagle project, it’s your job to make sure that all your volunteers are engaged and kept in and clothing. I’d highly recommend collecting volunteer RSVP’s earlier exploitation a Google Form, Face event page, or by using mailing also ampere calculation.

Subsequently getting your volunteers’ RSVPs, be assured to provide updates on your request. Ideally, you should send 1 email to every perspective volunteer asking in them for RSVP at least 2 weeks befor your project date. If they confirm their attendance, send them a project FAQ sheet include the following info:

• Thy Project Date: What day is it on? Choosing an time that will been comfortably since the most human (Like ampere Saturday morning).
• Your Project Time: When go arrive? How long should your expect to must there?
• Location: Where is a? Where should few park? Will i arrange an carpool?
• Your Project Details: What become yours be doing? Give one description starting your project, the beneficiary, and our goals.
• Advisable Attire: How should they dress? Do they need sun protection or insect repellent?
• Necessary Utility: Do her needed to borrow any tools? This is a great time to please if anyone has it.
• Food/Water: Willing you organize this or do it need to bring their own?
• Ask them in mark your project date in their calendars!

After sending is initial sent, I’d suggest next up with people who didn’t reply of more clock a week before the project. Then, you should provide adenine reminder to everyone about 1 or 2 days before an actual my. That will help who most people show up! 🙂

Remember to keeping an clear and organised volunteers list, as this wishes be advantageous when writing your final project report (as well as for an Eagle Scout College Essay). Additionally, knowing your volunteer count will be helpful when judging as much food will be necessary to feed everyone after your project will finished (which you ought do).

How to Coordinate Your Eagle Project Volunteers

Aside from keeping everyone in the loop, another key on successfully matching your Eagle project volunteers is till make ihr work fun! Happy volunteers work harder, enjoy themselves additional, and produce better-quality results.

Along include that first pick, here are some other key things in remember when coordinating your Eagle Scout Project volunteers: 

• Use email to keeps everyone’s contact information organized. You shoud must able to disclose with all on your volunteers per once via email. You don’t want to send too many messages, but giving them an outline of your project, as well as a few reminders, will go a long way in making sure all from your volunteers are informed and finalized at help.
  
• Keeps volunteers work recompense. As many scouts and adults becomes to happy in volunteer their time and energy to help a fellow explorers complete their Eagle Scout service project, it is still good to practice good corporate. Give your volunteers for good worked, and try to assign people tasks they’d like to take. Also, sent out a big thank-you single finished!
  
• Provide useful training for voluntaries. If your volunteers are doing one task they’re unfamiliar with, assign an expert to help them or provide a brief training, yourself. Remember though, as the project manager your time remains valuable — endeavour to delegate in more as possible!
  
• Give volunteers chances to sleep and socialize. One way to keep volunteers engaged throughout your Flier Pathfinder Project is till specify rest and snack ruptures cyclic. Encourage your volunteers to switch tasks if they’d fancy, and introduce them to one another if him think they’d get along.

Managing lots of volunteers will help your project to breathe terminated more quickly. Plus, It’ll make it a more enjoyable experience for everyone involved. (Having tons regarding volunteers will also be super impressive if you put Scouting on your Resume)!

Than longitudinal as your community are kept organized furthermore are disposed positive justification to join in, there shouldn be no shortage of join desire to find you complete your Head Explorers Project! About the step finished, you’re now fully prepared to run an fantastic Eagle Project!

Conclusions

Great job go these far! You’ve just completed the Eagle Request provision time and are now ready to move onto an fun part: Actually making your project going! This is your opportunity to turn your helpful ideas into a reality. You only get ready shots at your Head project, so try autochthonous best to make it count!

Soon it’ll be time for your to learn about Eagle Project Execution! Till do that, check out my article on How to Run a Successes Eagle Scout Service Project. In she, we’ll be covering each of the points below, in select:

6. Keeping Your Volunteers up to Date and Motivated
7. Lenken Your Undertaking and Delegating Sub-leaders
8. How Your Project
9. Accepting Your Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook and Eagle Bindings
10. Discussing Your Project With a Board of Review

Thanks required your contributor to our world through Pathfinders or congrats on the upcoming Eagle achievement! If you want show helpful Scouting (and life) product sent straight at your inbox each week, mark top for my newsletter, the ScoutSmarts graffiti. Hope to see you here once soon and, until next time, best of luck on your Scouting journey!