Boy Scouts of America (BSA)
Last Frontier Council
EAGLE District Guide for EAGLE PROJECTS


Prepared by the Eagle District Advancement Committee

Eagle Project Instructions


The following information will guide The Scoutmasters, Advancement personnel, Scouts and Parents through the maze of information rumor and stories surrounding exactly how to plan and write your project and get it through the approval cycle. All the information below is from approved web sites or from the actual experiences of Eagle District Advancement chairmen, other adults and scouts who have planned, prepared, and carried out Eagle projects.

Please note that these instructions are tailored for Eagle District, Last Frontier Council and contain very specific instructions that must be followed to obtain project approval at the Eagle District Eagle Project Review board.

The Eagle Project Plan is a detailed plan that describes the project to fulfill requirement number 5: "While a Life Scout, plan, develop, and give leadership to others in a service project helpful to any religious institution, any school, or your community"

The project must be pre-approved by the Scoutmaster, troop committee and by the district before the Scout can actually start the project. The Scout must use some form of the Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project Workbook, No. 18-927, in meeting this requirement. An electronic version is available for download from the web sites below. We have found the electronic versions to be more user friendly and flexible. It allows pictures and “how to?" work instructions to be imported into the actual document rather than having a loose collection of pages that can be separated from the hard copy project book. The Eagle District Advancement committee HIGHLY recommends that Scouts download and use the Electronic format to prepare the project plan.

The Internet is full of information about the Eagle Award and the Eagle project and can help with project ideas and assist in preparing the plan. There are several extremely helpful sites for preparing the project Plan.

http://www.scouting.org/boyscouts/eagleproject/index.html (Gone) and www.nesa.org/trail . The first site is the Official BSA Site and has lots of information. The second web site is the National Eagle Scout Association and where now BSA recommends that you download the Electronic version of BSA document 18-927 project workbook. The ELECTRONIC format is highly preferred and recommended to use to prepare the project ... This makes writing the project plan highly flexible and easy to make changes as the project is reviewed.

http://www.eaglescout.org and http://www.flash.net/~smithrc/eagleprj.htm .

These are also helpful and highly recommended sites. They have lots of good information on the entire Eagle Award requirement process but also specific information for planning the Eagle project. They also have many useful links to other sites.

We recommend that you advise your Life Scouts to look for project ideas on the web sites above or use a search engine such as "Google" to search for Eagle Project ideas. They also need to ask their school, city parks departments, neighborhood association, church, or fraternal organizations for ideas on projects.

REMINDER: the Scout has to have an Eagle project that provides a service project for a Non Profit organization and allows him to demonstrate Leadership through out the project.

Once the Scout has a rough idea for a project, they should discuss it with their Troop leadership or "Life to Eagle Coordinators". They will help determine and advise if it meets the requirement for an Eagle project. They will also advise and assist you in preparing the actual write-up of the project. Once they give the go ahead, download the format on the scout's home computer. It is strongly recommended the scout also copy the file to a floppy or disk. We recommend they Do not keep their only copy on the hard drive! They have been known to crash and lose lots of Eagle project preparation and information.

The Scouts should follow the instructions and headings in project pamphlet or those on the electronic formats for the write-up. This is a written plan and No single sentence bullets, sketchy or incomplete sections can adequately describe how to conduct the Eagle Project. They should provide a detailed discussion for each heading as indicated in the Electronic format. The project plan has to have a detailed discussion so that anyone could pick up the plan, understand it, and execute the project.

We highly recommend the Scoutmaster or Advancement chair or Troop Eagle Coordinator review the work in progress with the Scout.

We have also included a copy of the Eagle district Project Approval checklist. Use this check sheet as a memory jogger to plan and draft your project. This is the checklist that the review board will be using!

The Eagle project plan requires 3 signatures; (Sponsor organization representative, Scout Master, Troop Committee Chairman) before the Scout comes before the Project Review Board. After obtaining all approval signatures, The Scout sholild make 3 EXACT copies of the project plan. These extra copies will speed up your review process on the night of the board.

The Eagle District Eagle Project Review board normally meets the First Thursday of each month at the United Methodist Church at Hurd and Jackson Street in the youth center at 7:30 PM. Parents and Scout leaders of the Scout are welcome to observe the review board process and proceedings.

Once the Scoutmaster and Committee Chairman/member approves the project, The Scout has to call and make an appointment with the Eagle District AdvancementlEagle Project Review Board on the Friday before the board meets. They have to call Mr. Quimby Enterline at (H) 341-6878 or (W) 340-0078 for an appointment. Each Scout will be given a reservation number so that we can track the scouts through the project plan cycle.

On the night of the review board, The Scout has to be ready to EXPLAIN, TALK, and MAKE a PRESENTATION to the board. This is their Project and Plan. They should show pride of ownership and be ready to answer questions about the details of their plan. They should not worry about being nervous, just talk and explain the plan to the board members.

After approval, The Scout is free to conduct the project. They need to remember all the things in the plan and refer to it often in final preparation of the project. They should go over all the numbers and calculations prior to the actual project day. They should also be sure they have what they said they needed prior to project start. Changes to a well laid plan will still happen. Something they planned may not work and will require an adjustment. They should TAKE GOOD NOTES and TAKE lots of pictures; action shots and final project shots are beneficial to go with your completed project plan. Remember the completed Project Plan goes to BSA National for final approval.

After The Scout has completed their project, they should finish the project plan and obtain the final signatures from the sponsor organizations and Troop leadership. They need to be sure and complete the section for "changes" to list the changes to the plans they had to make while completing the project

We hope this guideline will make your Eagle project journey somewhat easier. The Scouts will never forget their Eagle Project! Scout Leaders and Scouts should Never hesitate to ask questions along the way.

We have also included specific guidance for the Scout to follow for each section of the workbook or plan. They are a "how to guide" on what details the Scout has to include in the Eagle project plan. All this information is designed to insure the Scout will be successful for his project approval and the completion of his project.

Suggestions For LIFE SCOUTS on How to start writing!
HINTS:
1. Use the ELECTRONIC Format downloaded from the NESA Website: It allows you to make changes to the project plan at any point in the process.
2. Work off of a disk or CD: This will protect your efforts from Home computer crashes
3. Keep the signatures on a separate page: You can make minor changes if necessary

Use the headings below to assist you in drafting the plan.

Project Description
This is short discussion with a couple of sentences or three that is in general in nature and does not need to include any major details. Think of this section as though you were telling a friend what you were going to do for the project. Make it brief!

Who Will Benefit?
This is where you list the "Non Profit group or organization and their function. Include how they will benefit from your project and how your project will benefit them. Explain briefly the benefit of the project or why the group needs the project accomplished.

Planning Details
This is the heading of the MAIN BODY and will contain the most work, details, and words. This section should include all the specifics instructions and details needed by someone else to carryout the project as though you were not around. Your plan should include all appropriate sections discussed below. These sections can be written as paragraphs but not all sections are applicable to all projects and may be omitted if not needed.

Present Conditions
Tell what the conditions or situation currently is and what you will do to change them with your project. We recommend including "BEFORE" pictures of the project area. Remember others that read your project plan and especially the Eagle District Project Review Committee does not know anything about your project. Convince us that the project is worthwhile and important and that you can lead your team to successfully complete the project.

Conducting the Proiect
This main section or paragraphs contain the "how to" sections and instructions. They should be very specific and should include the tasks that have to be done. They tell the readers exactly WHO, WHAT WHY, and HOW to do the project.
*NOTE: One of the best ideas is to go to an internet search engine and try to find information on the project you are doing or planning. Some of the national home centers have work instructions on their websites that can be downloaded and pasted into your project plan document. There are instructions on how to plant trees, how to build fences, build cement steps etc. Also BE SURE and include details on the clean up of the work site in your plan and any other issues that have to be conducted after the project day, i.e. long term watering for trees planted etc. Step-by-Step means just that! The whole plan should be specific enough for anyone else to pick up the plan and conduct the project.

Sketches
If you are building something, then include detailed plans, sketches or drawings. Showing a picture of a like item that you want to build is a good idea, but it cannot stand-alone. The sketch should show these plans or drawings on graph paper with guidelines, but plain bond paper is acceptable as long it is neat and all markings are easily understood.

Materials
MAKE A SEPARATE LISTING for Materials: The Scout must include a list of all materials required for the project. The list must include the quantity, Source, and cost of each item. It must also include the total cost of your project, where the materials and supplies will be obtained, and how they will be procured. If by donation, so state. A simple list, table, or chart with columns for the information will suffice here.

Equipment
MAKE A SEPARATE LISTING of Equipment: These are the items such as hammers, shovels, weed eaters or saws. Include all tools and safety equipment required for the project. Indicate from where you will obtain them. Think about what your plan will require and insure you have accounted for all the items needed. Be very specific. Get advice and input from Adults and others who are familiar with what you are attempting to do in your project. A simple list, table, or chart with columns for the information will suffice here

Schedule
MAKE A SEPERATE LISTING of Scheduled Events for the Project. You must include a detailed schedule. It is a necessity for any successful plan. It shows when everything is done and in what order each step happens on the day or days the project is scheduled. There should be specific entries and details for demonstrations or briefings, breaks, meals etc. You must make your best estimate of how long tasks will take and in what order they will be done. When you complete your project and do the final write-up, you should discuss how well the project followed the planned schedule and why you think it deviated from it.

Funding
Your project will cost something and you need to discuss those costs in your plan and how funding will be obtained for the project.

Written /Printed Information
If you are going to use handouts, posters, letters, or other written materials as part of your project, include a copy of those in the plan. These should be included as attachments to the Plan/workbook.

Scouts and Adult Helpers
Discuss who and how many helpers do you need to accomplish your project? Be sure to include details of HOW and What they need to do? How will you use adult leaders? Explain in detail what portion of the project you will require adults to participate in. You also need to provide details on the following: How long will the workdays last? How will your workers be fed? Remember, you are not just one of the boys doing any of the physical work yourself; you are responsible for LEADING others in carrying out the project and ensuring that everything is done the way you want It. This is where you discuss how you will show your leadership.

Safetv Hazards
You must discuss the safety hazards that will be faced during the project. Remember to identify all the risks due to Oklahoma weather (Severe weather, wind, cold, heat and sun exposure), bugs, painting, splinters, poison ivy, nailing, etc. Be sure to include what safety precautions are needed and what drinking water, first aid kit, cell phones, and emergency services will be available at the project site.

Work Place Specifics
Include specific details where you will conduct the project. Will it be divided over days? Will it be will done in stages or different locations? These are issues that need to be spelled out in the plan. If you are building something on site or pouring concrete etc, Then include all additional tasks and requirements. If you are planting something; describe how they will be watered and tendered after the actual project day is complete. If you are using concrete to set posts, where will the water come from? Etc. Describe all tasks and how you will accomplish.

Time Spent Planning
Be sure and record your time you spend planning and preparing to do the project. You should also record the hours your crew and adults spend doing the project. These are items required in the final completed write up for the project.