Grand Canyon Council Steps to Eagle - What to Expect

 

This is a guide for Scouts, parents and unit leaders to help navigate the final steps from Life to Eagle.

Final paperwork will be uploaded digitally please print and keep hard copies of everything in a 1” binder for your own records. The page numbers shown in this guide correspond to the pages in the Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook.

 

1. Select your project - You can complete your project prior to having completed all your merit badges however you must be registered and a Life Scout and have your project approved (see below) prior to beginning your project. It is highly recommended that you try to have your project completed before the end of your freshman year of high school (life gets very busy in high school.)

You, your parent or your unit leader should download a draft of your Eagle application from Scoutbook (located in Reports). It will tell you what items are complete and what items you still need to complete or record into the system. It also contains your membership number.

 

Download the Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook from https://support.grandcanyonbsa.org/main/eagleprocess/ This workbook must be used in meeting the eagle project requirement. For legibility, please type into the workbook, don’t fill it out by hand. To prevent issues, this workbook must be opened in Adobe Acrobat Reader.

 

STOP EVERYTHING - YOU AND YOUR SCOUTMASTER SHOULD READ THE INSTRUCTIONS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE WORKBOOK THROUGH THE PROPOSAL SECTION BEFORE PROCEEDING ANY FURTHER! (Pages 1-15) (Tip: You should ask an adult to be your Eagle Project Mentor. This person is an adult that you know who has experience with your "type" of project and will be available to devote the necessary time to regularly meet and communicate with the you on your proposal, fundraising and your project.)

 

The Project Proposal Section must be completed prior to project approval. If there are photos or diagrams, they can be attached. (Pages 7-15)

 

2. Start creating a time log. You will need to track your hours, and the hours others work on your project. All time you and others use discussing or working on your project counts towards the total, including transportation time to and from meetings and the project. (Page 28) At the end of your project, you should submit this tracking sheet to your Troop 531 Advancement Chair or Scoutmaster to enter into Scoutbook or Internet Advancement so you and other Scouts service hours are recorded.

 

If the cash funds required for the project exceed $500, (and the funds are not from the Beneficiary, the Scout’s relatives, or the Troop 531 families, or from a car wash or garage sale,) the Fundraising form in the workbook must be filled out and signed by the beneficiary and district project approver (they will advise if council needs to approve it.) (Pages 23-24).

 

3. Obtain The following signatures for your proposal before you start your project: [Electronic Signatures are OK at Troop level] Proposal Signature Page (Page 15)

 

a. Beneficiary’s Signature - The project proposal must be approved by the organization benefiting from the effort. At this meeting, give the beneficiary the page in the Eagle Project Workbook titled "Navigating the Eagle Scout Service Project"  (Page 30)

b. Your Troop 531 Scoutmaster's Signature (Tip: Sign-up for a Scoutmaster Check-in time)

c. Troop 531 Committee Signature (Tip: You will present your proposal at Troop 531 Committee Meeting and typically you will have the Committee Chair sign)

d. The North Valley area Eagle project approver (ask a Scoutmaster for this contact info)

Send the proposal section of your workbook, the separate proposal signature page, and the fundraising application from your workbook to the name listed on the Grand Canyon Council Eagle process webpage in step 3. You can also ask for assistance from the Troop 531 Eagle Advisor.  Allow up to 3 weeks for the review.  (Tip: this review will be in-person and you should wear your complete Class A uniform with sash).

DO NOT START WORKING ON YOUR PROJECT OR FUNDRAISING UNTIL YOU RECEIVE ALL THE SIGNATURES OR YOUR PROJECT WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED BY THE EAGLE BOARD OF REVIEW!

 

Send out the Reference Letter Form. You may use the template at:  https://support.grandcanyonbsa.org/main/eagleprocess/ Please insert your name at the top and your BSA Membership ID (found in Scout's profile in Scoutbook) before sending the form to the reference. You need a reference letter from your parent or guardian, a religious leader (if you do not go to church, your parent should fill out a form attesting to your duty to God,) an educator, employer (optional), and two others. These letters are to be uploaded to the Grand Canyon Council Eagle Paperwork Portal by those filling the form out. THEY DO NOT RETURN THE LETTERS TO YOU.

 

4. Work with your beneficiary and Eagle Project Mentor on the Service Project Final Plan section of your workbook before beginning your project. You can also seek guidance from the Troop 531 Eagle Advisor.  Fill out updates to your plan on the Eagle Scout Service Project Plan in your Eagle Project Workbook. (Pages 16-22)

 

5. Do your project – remember you are THE BOSS!

The Eagle Board of Review(EBOR) will be looking for where you showed leadership in your project. Information on what is expected as you lead your project is in the Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook. Remember to take photos as people work on your project and also ‘after’ photos. Upload these to the Eagle project site and also put everything in a binder to bring to your Eagle Board of Review.

 

6. After the project and all other Eagle Scout requirements are complete  

[Electronic Signatures are OK]

 

a. Finalize the Service Project Report in the workbook, download the Final Signature Page from the Grand Canyon Council Eagle Scout Process webpage and, and get it signed by the beneficiary and scoutmaster, and you sign it. Signatures can be electronic.

b. Download fill out, print and upload, the "Life Purpose, Ambitions and Awards Received" form (Keep a hard copy for your binder.)

c. From Scoutbook under reports download and print your Eagle Application (highly recommended because it saves you a lot of work,) Or take the hard way, download and fill out and print and sign the official Eagle Scout Rank Application form, No. 512-728

d. Print and sign the forms. Eagle Candidate signs the final Project Report in the workbook and Eagle Scout Application; Scoutmaster signs the final Project Report in the workbook and Eagle Scout Application; Beneficiary signs the final Project Report in the workbook; Troop committee chair signs the application.

e. Print and upload the Boy Scout History Report which is available in Scoutbook under the Scout’s reports menu. This allows us to know additional Palms received

f. Remind the people who you asked for recommendation letters to complete and upload their files to the website given in the template.

 

7. Final Steps:

 

a. Have you completed your Eagle Service Project, and do you have all four signatures for the project approval and the three project completion signatures?

b. Did you fundraise? If yes, did you receive over $500 cash from a business or individual not affiliated with Troop 531, your family, or the organization you did the project for? NOTE: donated materials from the beneficiary do not count as part of fundraising.

c. Did you send out 5 reference letter forms to those listed on your Eagle application? Only the employer is optional. See the Guide to Advancement for more information.

d. Did you provide a written statement about your Life Purpose, Ambitions, and Non-Scouting Honors and Positions of Responsibility?

e. Did you Download your, National, Eagle Scout Rank Application from Scoutbook, make necessary changes and additions (like reference contacts,) print it out, sign and date it yourself, and have your Troop 531 Scoutmaster and Troop 531 Committee Chair sign and date it? Has it been uploaded? Use the portal in step 8 to upload your documents.

 

8. Have the following been uploaded to the Eagle Paperwork Portal?

Eagle Scout Application (Do this step IF: 1) all merit badges and advancement requirements except the EBOR are completed and approved Scoutbook.  Available in Scoutbook. Select Scout's profile>Reports>Eagle Application)

Eagle Project Workbook (Proposal, Plan and Report)

Before & After Photos of your Eagle Service Project

Statement of Ambitions, Life’s purposes and Leadership positions (Use this Form)

Individual Advancement Record (Available in Scoutbook. Select Scout's profile>Reports>Individual Advancement Record)

Fundraising application if used – This should be signed by the beneficiary and District project approver at the time of proposal signatures if the project fundraising was over $500

 Reference letters – These will be uploaded by the individuals to the Eagle Paperwork Portal

Extension Letter – (IF any requirements were completed after 18th birthdate)

 

When you have uploaded ALL your files to the Eagle Paperwork Portal, press the button labeled: “I the Eagle Candidate am Ready for the Final Review” It could take 4 or more weeks for you to be notified of when your Eagle Board of Review will be. This is also linked in Step 9 on the Grand Canyon Council Eagle Scout Process website.

 

ALLOW 6 WEEKS FOR THE REVIEWERS TO LOOK AT YOUR PAPERWORK AND CONTACT YOU FOR A PRE-MEETING IN-PERSON WITH THE PINNACLE PEAK DISTRICT BOARD CHAIR.

 

BRING TO YOUR PRE-MEETING PRINT-OUTS OF ALL MATERIALS INCLUDING BEFORE & AFTER PHOTOS FOR THE 1” BINDER AND BRING TO YOUR MEETING WITH THE PINNACLE PEAK DISTRICT BOARD CHAIR "PRIOR" TO YOUR EAGLE BOARD OF REVIEW. WEAR YOUR CLASS A FIELD UNIFORM FOR THIS MEETING AND BRING YOUR HANDBOOK.

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THE EAGLE BOARD OF REVIEW IS BY INVITATION ONLY IS AND IS CURRENTLY HELD ON THE SECOND THURSDAY OF THE MONTH AT 6:00PM AT CROSS IN THE DESERT UNITED METHODIST CHURCH AT 12835 N. 32nd ST PHOENIX, AZ 85032.

 

The Board Chair will share your binder with the Board members prior to the start of the review.

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Please ask two adults hat you know to attend your Eagle Board of Review that would be willing to volunteer on another Scout's board on the same night. Not required, this just helps the process go faster. A Troop 531 Scoutmaster will be there in attendance.

 

9. Pass Eagle Board of Review.

a. Wear the full Class A field uniform with sash. If your uniform no longer fits, wear dress clothes; it is a formal occasion.  Bring your handbook.  Family welcome!

b. It is recommended you bring your Scouts BSA Handbook with all signatures complete through Eagle Scoutmaster Conference and your Eagle Project Packet (1” binder.)

 

10. Expect at least 6 weeks from the time your district hands the paperwork into the grand Canyon Council to the time you are notified by council that you have achieved Eagle Scout Rank. DO NOT HESITATE TO ASK QUESTIONS – WE’RE ALL BEHIND YOU!! 

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A MESAGE FROM YOUR TROOP 531 SCOUTMASTER:

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YOU ARE EQUIPPED AND HAVE THE SUPPORT TO ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS.

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Striving for excellence is putting forth 100% of your effort towards everything you do.

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“STRIVE FOR perfection AND ACCEPT EXCELLENCE.”

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What does excellence look like?

• Action focused

• Admitting you don't know something but following it up with action to improve your performance

• Putting forth 100% effort when you only need 80% to get the job done

• Showing up on time

• Being reliable 

• Doing the right thing when no one is watching

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