BSA TROOP 218 EAGLE GUIDELINES                                                      Adopted Date: 9/22/2009         

EAGLE CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS

The National Boy Scout program objective is to ensure that every registered youth in the Boy Scout program between the ages of 11-18 have the opportunity to earn the rank of Eagle. In order to earn the rank, certain and consistent criteria in accordance with National Policy and BSA Troop 218 Guidelines need to be in place and communicated to youth and parents/guardian  to ensure the orderly development of youth as it pertains to Citizenship, Character, Leadership, and Scout Spirit and to encourage engagement between Troop staff and youth .  To that end, the following guidelines have been crafted and adopted by Troop 218 staff. The contract between Troop Committee and youth will be on file with the adult record keepers.   

Prior to a registered Scout with BSA Troop 218 turning 17 years of age and pursuing to achieve/earn the rank of Eagle, the Scout must:

1)     Be a registered member and in good character standing with the Troop for at least  1.5 years or beginning at age 16 if a transfer member from another Troop. Transfers will be interviewed by Troop Committee and a background check performed before joining the Troop ,

2)      Have attended summer camp at least once in the past two years and provide Troop leadership for at least two –three days in the capacity of a Senior patrol Leader  as approved by the Scoutmaster or other designated staff OR provide leadership on at least 80% of the Troop camping trips/activities in a Troop year (September to June),

3)      Be in attendance at weekly Troop meetings which involve not missing more than 6 meetings the entire year running from the beginning of September to the beginning of June. Personal family, academic, athletic or health issues may be considered when a Scout is out for an extended period of time. The Senior Patrol Leaders will be responsible for keeping the roll books accurate and reporting absences to Troop adult staff on a weekly basis. Parents will be consulted after the 3rd absence. The youth and his parent/guardian shall report to the Troop Committee in advance that  the Scout has an attendance issue and look to ways to resolving the situation by preparing an outline for future attendance. If the Scout holding a leadership position does not exercise the appropriate responsibility as stated in the Scout Handbook, the Committee may remove him from that position. A written explanation must be provided to the Scout and his parents if removed,  

4)     Hold the rank of Senior Patrol Leader or  Patrol Leader for at least one scheduled Troop campout within one year of becoming Life rank displaying leadership ability and Scout sprit,

5)     Hold a responsible leadership position with the Troop for two  years prior to his 18^th birthday – leadership positions are defined in the Scout Handbook,

6)     Demonstrate and live the 12 tenets of the Scout Law which include leadership, goodwill, mentoring, and engagement not only with other Scouts but the Troop staff,

7)     Prior to age 17 have already submitted an Eagle project proposal to the District’s Eagle Review Board Chair . The project proposal must be embraced by Troop staff prior to submittal.

8)     Wear the Scout Uniform at least 85% of the Troop’s meetings between first meeting in September and last meeting in June of the following year. Complete Scout Uniform is defined as having an official Scout shirt with all updated patches, unit information, pants or shorts, belt, socks, and merit badge sash when attending Troop Courts of Honor. A uniform check will be made by a designated adult leader during each meeting and documented,

9)     When Life rank, be reviewed and demonstrate Scouting requirement proficiency   prior to being officially reviewed by the Council’s District Eagle Board. This approval by Troop Committee must be unanimous. The decision to recommend or not recommend the candidate to the Council will be  final. Upon approval, the Scoutmaster and Troop Committee Chairman will sign the Scout’s Official Eagle Application,

10)   In conjunction with his Scoutmaster, arrange a meeting with the Troop Committee, his parents or guardian nine (12) months prior to his eighteenth (18) birthday to determine the number of incomplete merit badges, amount of community service completed, and leadership ability assessed along with an Eagle progress report. If elements mentioned are incomplete, a written timetable will be created by the Scout in conjunction with the Scoutmaster and Committee one (1) week after the scheduled meeting in order to determine if all incomplete elements can be resolved prior to the 18^th birthday deadline.

11)   Be respectful to the youth, Troop staff and parents. Discipline issues (fighting, hazing, emotional or physical abuse, property destruction, inappropriate language or swearing, etc) affecting youth or Troop staff of any nature will not be tolerated - period. Discipline problems will be reviewed (due process) by the Troop Committee and involved parents.  If the discipline issue proves to be valid with merit in any way, the Scout involved will be removed from the Troop immediately- no exceptions!  Dues money and other funding (Scout Uniform, camping equipment, etc) will not be refunded by the Troop Finance Committee.

I, ________________________________ hereby understand the above expectations of BSA Troop 218 along with my parents/guardian __________________________________. If at any time, I have a question or clarification pertaining to any of the above mentioned elements that I have initialized and dated by me and in front of my parents/guardian, I will promptly ask my Scoutmaster or Troop Committee member for a clarification immediately.

I also understand that the purpose of these guidelines is to provide me with a personal  blueprint of my Scouting goals toward the rank of Eagle – not overwhelm me with unrealistic expectations or reduce the amount adventure I have come to know through the Scouting program.
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Troop #218