MINGO TRAILS DISTRICT

EAGLE PROJECT GUIDELINES

Eagle Application 2009
Eagle Scout Project Workbook
Eagle Project Tracking Record

For an Eagle Scout Service Project, an Eagle candidate, while a Life Scout, must plan, develop and give leadership to others in a service project benefiting any religious institution, school or community. The project must also conform to the wishes and regulations of those for whom the project is undertaken. Original and creative project ideas are encouraged.

The Eagle Scout Service Project provides the opportunity for the candidate to demonstrate the leadership skills he has learned in Scouting. He must do the project outside the sphere of Scouting. As a demonstration of leadership, the candidate must PLAN the work, ORGANIZE the personnel needed and DIRECT the project to satisfactory completion.

Service to others is a key principle. Projects that serve or benefit people in need are encouraged. Work involving BSA properties or activities are not acceptable for an Eagle Scout Service Project. The project must not be performed for a business, or be of a commercial nature. The project itself may not be a primarily a fund-raiser. Fund-raising is permitted only for securing material or supplies needed to carry out the proposed project. However, there are no regulations restricting the funding of a project. Routine labor, or a job or service normally rendered, will not be approved.

There is no minimum number of hours that must be spent on an Eagle Project. The amount of time must be sufficient enough for the candidate to clearly demonstrate leadership skills. Total time involvement should be considerable and should represent the candidate’s best effort.

Eagle Project proposals must be typewritten (or printed) using the Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook No.512-927. Copies of the workbook may be downloaded in PDF (portable document format) and printed using Adobe Acrobat Reader software (also available free on the Internet). If a preprinted or PDF format workbook is used, additional pages should be attached as necessary to completely describe the project with the phrase “see attached pages” entered into the appropriate spaces in the workbook and must include the following information:

1. Project Description – a narrative describing what you intend to accomplish

2. Benefiting Group - a statement describing which group will benefit from the project and how that benefit will occur.

3. Project Details - a complete step-by step description of how the project will be conducted, including safety procedures

a.                   Photographs – before, during and after completion where applicable

b.                  Maps, diagrams and charts

c.                   How many people will work on each phase of the project

d.                  An estimate of the total man-hours it will take to complete the project.

Example:

The project idea MUST be approved by the organization benefiting from the effort, your Scoutmaster, your unit committee and Mingo Trails Advancement Committee before you start.  Projects will not be approved when project work (other than planning) is started prior to Mingo Trails District approval. 

Eagle candidates must comply with the following project approval process:

1. Discuss, plan and write a project proposal with the guidance on an Eagle Scout Advisor

2. Discuss the written plan with the beneficiary group contact person. Have this person sign the project workbook and if possible provide a letter approving the proposal on behalf of the sponsoring organization.

3. Discuss the written plan with the unit leader. Have the unit leader approve the proposal and sign the workbook.

4. Present the written plan to the unit committee. Have the unit Committee Chairperson approve and sign the proposal.

5. Contact the Mingo Trails District Advancement Chairperson at least one week prior to the scheduled District Advancement Committee Board of Review/Project Review Meetings. 

Note: These meetings are held on the 2^ND Wednesday and last Wednesday of each month, exept during holidays. Special dates will be listed on website for MINGO TRAILS if necessary. Eagle Service Projects are the sole responsibility of Eagle Scout candidates. Therefore, candidates must communicate directly with the Mingo Trails District Advancement Chairperson regarding their project proposal review. 

Completion of the Eagle Scout Service Project:

1. A major portion of the project should be performed by Scouts (Cubs, Scouts, Venture, Varsity or Explorer) if possible

2. Adults, family friends and others may also be involved in the project work.

3. The Eagle Scout candidate must clearly demonstrate leadership during the project work sessions.

4. All candidates should keep a day-to-day logbook with the dates, names, work performed and total hours expended by each person involved in the project. The time to be included should begin with the first planning session and end with the completion of the project report. Make a separate section to record what you buy, what is donated and any monies that you receive.

5. A letter of completion (on letterhead stationary if available) must be included from the beneficiary group contact person, confirming the satisfactory completion of the project and the value of the project to the group or organization.