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.

   1. 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.

   2. 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 

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

      1. Ask your fellow Scouts about their counselor and experiences.

   2. Discuss final project

   3. 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] 

   1. 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.

   1. Have a parent or guardian proof-read the proposal for spelling and grammar errors. 

   2. 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.

   3. NO digital signatures on any forms are allowed.

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

*Check with your Project counselor to see if they prefer the page H be signed in any particular order--however, technically, it shouldn't matter.

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. 

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

      1. Include photos of other Scouts and youth working.

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

   2. 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.

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

   3. 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. 

      1. This is signed by the beneficiary and the Scoutmaster

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

    1. Fill out remainder of application on a computer.

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

       2. 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.

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

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

11. Download your Individual Scout Advancement Report

    1. Make sure it is completely fill in; individual req. dates do not need to be filled in, just the date advancement was earned.

    2. Name the advancement report: "Last name, First name, T731.pdf"

12. SCAN any complete signature pages from your application (no photographs), save as PDF, and then email the PDF files and the scanned signature page to:
    sdiceagleapplication@scouting.org 

    1. Add your full name and district (Rancho San Luis Rey) to the subject line.

    2. SDIC will verify your application for completeness and accuracy. This may take several weeks; you cannot rush the process.

13. Send out requests for Letters of Recommendation(LORs) to the persons listed in requirement 2 immediately after submitting your application.
    (Presumedly, you application will be approved, but since LORs can take several weeks, it will save time if you ask for them early.)

    1. Send a pre-addressed, stamped envelope with LOR instructions.

       1. Address envelope to:
          Pam Dixon

Ref: [Your Name, Troop 731]
397 Mainsail
Oceanside, CA 92054

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

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

11. Write and submit your Letter of Ambition (LOA) immediately after submitting your application.

    1. Include an addendum with your Troop history, including positions

    2. After your application is approved, mail to Pam Dixon at the address above and request an EBOR.

12. You will receive a date for a Eagle Board of Review from Mrs. Dixon.

    1. It’s OK if the date is after your 18th birthday

13. Prepare your Project workbook for submission

    1. Scan the workbook and save as PDF.

       1. Be sure to include all the signature pages. 

    2. Email JUST the workbook to Pam Dixon at email above. (Do NOT include any photos in the workbook or separately at this time.)

14. Create a small photo album (appx. 12 photos)

15. Prepare a bound report including:

    1. Application

    2. Workbook

    3. Photo album

    4. LOA

    5. Adv. Report

16. To give the EBOR members time to review your project, hand the bound report to Scoutmaster if he/she is attending the District Roundtable before your EBOR. (Roundtables are on the second Thursday of each month.)

17. Prepare for your EBOR

    1. Know the Scout Oath and Law

    2. Know your project inside and out--prepare to discuss:

       1. How you came across the project

       2. Problems that arose and how you solved them

       3. Your leadership issues

       4. What you learned

    3. Be prepared to discuss your Scouting history

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

       2. Summer camps attended

       3. Positions held

    4. 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/ 

Scoutbook Eagle Application and Individual Advancement Reports menu