Northeast Iowa Council > Resources > Eagle Scout Corner

Eagle Scout Corner

The Eagle Scout is the highest rank attainable in the Scouts BSA program of Scouting America. Since 1912, the Eagle Scout rank has represented a milestone of accomplishment – perhaps without equal – that is recognized across the country and even the world. Those who have earned the Eagle Scout rank count it among their most treasured achievements. “Eagle Scout” is not just an award; it is a state of being. Those who earned it as youth continue to earn it every day as adults. That is why an Eagle Scout IS an Eagle Scout – never WAS an Eagle Scout.

Requirements include earning at least 21 merit badges, demonstrating Scouting Spirit through the Scout Oath and Law, providing service, and leadership. This includes an extensive community service project that the Scout plans, organizes, leads, and manages.

Additional recognition can be earned through Eagle Palms, which are awarded for completing additional merit badge requirements.

Eagle Scout Forms:

National Eagle Scout Association:
Founded in 1972, the National Eagle Scout Association maintains contact with Eagle Scouts to sustain their interest in Scouting. Eagle Scouts in good standing may join. Applications for membership are available through the NESA webpage:  www.nesa.org.

Eagle Scout Rank Requirements

IMPORTANT: Please plan ahead to avoid a last-minute rush to complete the requirements. Especially note that you must hold one or more of the positions of responsibility listed on the Eagle application for six months after you earn Life rank and before you turn 18 and maintain at least 6 months of active membership as determined by your unit.

1. Unit Leader verifies the Scout’s advancement records. Log into Scoutbook Plus and go into the unit. Under the “Advancements” tab, select “History”. Select the appropriate Scout. 

Six completed ranks must be listed: Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star and Life. If corrections are needed for any information, incorrect dates, tenure, or ranks missing altogether, the corrected information must be submitted on an Advancement Report by the Unit Advancement Chair. Blue cards cannot be accepted.

2. Download and complete the current Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook. As best as you are able, complete all information in the “Eagle Scout Service Project Proposal” section. Include as many details as possible to define the scope of the project and to develop your project plan. Be thorough. Provide information about the beneficiary organization, plans/drawings, photos, diagrams, materials, tools needed, and any permits. Be sure to identify any potential safety hazards that may be encountered while working on the project. Plans for purchasing necessary materials and any fundraising or donations should be included and discussed with the beneficiary organization.
Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook (PDF)

3. Present the Eagle Scout Service Project Proposal to your Unit leadership for review. The project proposal must be thoroughly reviewed and approved by the Unit Leader, Unit Committee, and the Beneficiary Organization. The project plan should clearly show that the entire project has been well thought out leaving no questions where the answers are not included in the documentation. Any missing, incomplete, or unclear information must be corrected by the Scout before the next step. If approved, the proposal must be signed by the scout, the beneficiary organization, the unit leader, and the unit advancement chair.

4. VERY IMPORTANT: Before any work can begin, the project proposal must be Reviewed AND Approved by the Eagle Review Board. Deliver the Eagle Scout Service Project Proposal to the Council Service Center for submission to the Chair of the Eagle Review Board and distribution to the Board.

Review by the entire Board may take 5-7 days. 

If the Project Proposal is INCOMPLETE, the Board will request the Scout provide additional information as an addendum to be attached to the proposal. This will require additional time for approval. If there are major problems with the proposal, the project can be denied.

If the Project Proposal is APPROVED, the Scout will be notified directly by the Chair of the Eagle Board with any comments received. Once notified of an approved project, work can begin immediately. The Chair will sign the Project Proposal at the Council Service Center.

If fundraising is required for money or materials, complete the Eagle Scout Service Project Fundraising Application and submit it to the Council Service Center for approval BEFORE you raise any money or solicit materials.
Eagle Scout Service Project Fundraising Application (PDF)   ← NEED LINK

5. Complete your service project. In the Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook, complete the “Eagle Scout Service Project Report” section to document the entire project. What changes were made during progress? Who were the volunteers and how many service hours were accumulated? What materials, tools, and supplies were used? What was the project budget of income and expenses (keep receipts for items purchased or donated). Any changes to expanding the scope of the project? Take photos and document the progress. What actions were taken to thank the volunteers and any donors?

6. These six (6) requirements items as listed on the current Eagle Scout Rank Application must be completed before the 18th birthday. They are summarized as follows:

REQUIREMENT 1: Be active in your unit for at least six months as a life Scout.

REQUIREMENT 2: Provide a list of four character recommendations who would be willing to provide a recommendation on your behalf. These may be Scout leaders, teachers, employers, coaches, other Scouts, etc. References do not need to be 21 or older. Parents and other relatives are strongly discouraged from serving as references; their signature on the application is their endorsement. Reference letters are to remain confidential and are to be returned to the  Scoutmaster/Unit Leader. Once received they can be delivered directly to the Scout Service Center.

Eagle Scout Reference Letters Form (4 or more)
Eagle Scout Reference Tracking List (provide to Unit Leader) 

REQUIREMENT 3: Complete all merit badge requirements.

REQUIREMENT 4: While a Life Scout, serve actively in your unit for a period of six months in one or more positions of responsibility as listed on the Eagle Scout Rank Application.

REQUIREMENT 5: While a Life Scout, complete the Eagle Scout Service Project and obtain the approval signatures from the Project Beneficiary and the Unit Leader that state the project has been successfully completed.

REQUIREMENT 6: While a Life Scout, participate in a unit leader conference.

CERTIFICATION BY APPLICANT: Prepare and attach a statement of your ambitions and life purpose and a listing of positions held in your religious institutions, school, camp, community, or other organizations during which you demonstrated leadership skills. Include honors and awards received during this service.

7. Download the Eagle Scout Rank Application from “Scoutbook Plus” website. 

  1. Login to the Scoutbook Plus (https://advancements.scouting.org) website.

  2. Go to the Scout’s profile page. Under the heading for “Scouts BSA Ranks”, next to the Eagle Scout progress bar, select the “View More” button.

  3. On the next screen, select “Open Eagle Application”. Download the file to your computer. Scoutbook Plus will compile all recorded dates and information onto the Eagle Scout Rank Application.

  4. The Scout must print out the application and fill in any missing information (references, name of project, etc.).

  5. Have the Eagle Scout Rank Application signed by the Scout, Committee Chair and the Unit Leader. Once signatures are obtained recheck that all information is completed. 

  6. Turn in a binder with the completed Eagle Scout Rank Application and completed Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook, with all attachments. These items can be delivered by someone other than the Scout.

  • Address: Northeast Iowa Council Service Center
    10601 Military Rd. Dubuque, IA 

  • Hours: 9AM—5PM, Monday—Friday (except most major holidays). 

If the application is INCOMPLETE, it will be returned to have the Scout complete any missing information.
If the application is COMPLETE, the local council representative will add the final signature and forward all information to the Eagle Review Board.

8. The Eagle Board of Review (BOR) will not be scheduled until steps 1-7 have been completed. Once all information has been received, the Scout will be contacted directly by the Chair of the Eagle Review Board to schedule his/her review. 

If you have any questions you can contact your district’s Eagle Board of Review.