T731 Life-to-Eagle Process

1. While not required to be completed in our recommended order, it is a good idea to finish up any missing merit badges before starting on your project.

2. Make sure you Troop Positions of Responsibility are updated into Scoutbook (under My Leadership) along with the year or rank they occurred. Let the Scoutmaster or Advancement Chair know so the positions can be approved.

   • If a single position overlaps two ranks--for example, Star and Life, enter the position twice, once for each rank. The entries for a single position would look like this: Star rank, 01/01/20XX-03/31/20XX (assumes you ended Star rank on 03/31); Life rank, 04/01/20XX-09/31/20XX (assumes you started Life rank on 04/01). Of course, the dates would actually match your Scoutbook dates of rank advancement.

   • Note that the Troop does not keep records of your positions and the start/stop dates. That is the Scout's responsibility.

3. Discuss project with beneficiary.

4. Discuss possible projects with Scoutmaster and Committee Chair.

5. Select an Eagle Project Counselor 

   • https://www.sdicscouting.org/leading-scouts/districts/rancho-san-luis-rey

     • Ask your fellow Scouts about their counselor and experiences.

   • Discuss final project

   • Make sure you CC all communication with the beneficiary and counselor, along with your parent and Scoutmaster.

6. Once you are decided on a project, fill out the Proposal section of the Eagle Project Workbook [link] 

   • Per the district, the Proposal should be brief, however you should ask your counselor as to the amount of detail they prefer.

7. Review the proposal with the same people listed above* and make any suggested changes. Once they approve, have them sign Proposal Page H, starting with the Scoutmaster and the Committee Chair.

   • Have a parent or guardian proofread the proposal for spelling and grammar errors. 

   • Email a copy of your proposal in advance so all the parties have a chance to read it. Do NOT have them sign their copy--all signatures must be on one page.

   • NO digital signatures on any forms are allowed.

   • Scout should sign the form before anyone else. Generally, the order of the other signatures should not matter. 

   • Note: The Scoutmaster and the Committee Chair may assign another adult leader to sign on their behalf if they are not available.

8. If you do ANY fundraising or get donations from anyone other than your direct family members, you need to fill out the Fundraising Application (in the workbook).

9. Finish project and workbook. 

   • Be sure to take BEFORE, DURING, & AFTER photos. 

     • Include photos of other Scouts and youth working.

       1. You should not be doing the majority of the work--you should be leading others.

   • The middle section of the workbook, the Project Plan,  is a much more detailed version of the project proposal. It should be written as a blueprint so anyone could finish your project if you were not doing it.

     • Keep track of all your hours, including meeting times; keep track of the hours for everyone helping too.

   • The last section of the workbook, the Project Report, is completed after the project is done. Focus on your leadership, problems that arose, and what you learned. 

     • This is signed by the beneficiary and the Scoutmaster

10. Download Eagle application from Scoutbook Plus (see menu location below)

    • Fill out remainder of application on a computer.

      • Do NOT fill anything out by hand, even dates (other than the signature dates).

      • Sign the application.

      • Be sure to fill in the total project hours where requested.

      • Get all "wet"* signatures on a single page; do not scan/photograph and email separately to signatories; again, NO digital signatures allowed.
          *Wet signatures means have the signatories sign in person with a pen.

    • When filling out requirement 2, it is not necessary to list their email, but you must include their phone number

    • Name the PDF as follows: "Last name, First name, T731, RSLR.pdf" (with your legal name--duh!)

11. Request instructions from Pam Dixon <northcountyeagles@hotmail.com> on how to submit your Eagle Scout Project Workbook and your Eagle Scout reference letters.

    • CC your Scoutmaster and parent.

    • Do not send any forms at this time.

12. Send out requests for Letters of Recommendation(LORs) to the persons listed in requirement 2 immediately after submitting your application. (Presumably, your application will be approved, but since LORs can take several weeks, it will save time if you ask for them early.) Send each request a pre-addressed, stamped envelope with LOR instructions.
    Address envelope to:
    Pam Dixon
    Ref: [Your Name, Troop 731]
    397 Mainsail
    Oceanside, CA 92054
    Click here for Eagle Scout Letter of Recommendation PDF if you wish to email the persons.

    • You, your family members, or adult leaders must NOT follow up with the persons about the status of their LOR.

    • Understand that you will never see the LORs; only the Eagle Board of Review (EBOR) will see the letters.

    • Do not include  Scoutmaster or Committee Chair. Including parent or other relatives is discouraged. 

13. Write and submit your Letter of Ambitions and Life Purpose (LOA) immediately after submitting your application.

    • Include listings of positions held in your religious institution, school, camp, community, or others.

    • Include honors and awards earned in Scouting and other activities.

    • Be sure to sign and date your statement.

14.  Scan your completed Eagle Scout Rank Application and save it to your computer.  Email the resulting pdf copy to the council office at: sdiceagleapplication@scouting.org.  CC your Scoutmaster.

    • Add your name and district name to the ‘subject’ line of your email.  

    • Handwritten and photocopies will not be accepted. 

15. Email your Letter of Ambitions and Life Purpose to Pam Dixon <northcountyeagles@hotmail.com>.

    • Request a date for a Eagle Board of Review from Mrs. Dixon and a list of paperwork to submit by email.

    • Upon approval of your application by SDIC, Mrs. Dixon will provide 2-3 dates for you to select (one per month).

    • It’s OK if the date provided is after your 18th birthday

16. Prepare your Project workbook for submission

    • Scan the workbook and save as PDF.

    • Be sure to include all the signature pages. 

    • Email JUST the workbook to Pam Dixon at email above. (Do NOT include any photos in the workbook or as a separate file at this time.)

17. Create a presentation of your project workbook and a photo album (appx. 12 photos).

    • Put the presentation in some sort of binder, such as a 3-ring binder. 

    • Add a nice cover photo to the front of the binder if possible.

    • Include your LOA, but do NOT include your Eagle application.

18. Prepare for your EBOR

    • Know the Scout Oath and Law

    • Bring your Scout handbook and make sure the rank boards of review and Scoutmaster conference dates are included and correct.

    • Know your project inside and out. Prepare to discuss:

      • How you came across the project

      • Problems that arose and how you solved them

      • Your leadership issues

      • What you learned

    • Be prepared to discuss your Scouting history

      • Merit badges (e.g. hardest, favorite, etc.)

      • Summer camps attended

      • Positions held

    • Be prepared to discuss your LOA and future goals (college, career, etc.)

Additional Help/Information

Advancement Chair Amee Howard's Trail to Eagle presentation

Scout Smarts https://scoutsmarts.com/category/eagle-scout-and-beyond/ 

What happens after your (hopefully) pass your Eagle Board of Review?

You are officially an Eagle Scout after passing your EBOR! You can state as such on any college applications, scholarships, resumes, etc. 

Your signed and completed Eagle application will be sent to council (usually that evening), where it will be signed by the Scout Executive. The application will be forward to National for approval and recording. This can take 2-6 weeks.

After approval, you will get an email from the council (make sure they include your parent's email too) telling you your certificate is in. You should pick it up in person and not mail it. If someone else is picking it up, you will need to call the council at 619-298-6121 and give them permission. 

You should also consider purchasing an Eagle kit and any additional mentor, parent, or grandparent pins you may want to present at your Eagle Court of Honor. 

Scoutbook Eagle Application and Individual Advancement Reports menu