Eagle Scouts
Eagle Scout is the highest achievement or rank attainable in the Scouts BSA program of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). Since its inception in 1911, only four percent of Scouts have earned this rank after a lengthy review process. The Eagle Scout rank has been earned by over 2.5 million youth.
Illowa Council is dedicated to helping youth work towards this goal! The information found below will help Scouts on their Trail to Eagle, provide information to their Eagle Mentors and Unit Leaders to simplify the process, and guide parents as they help their kids navigate these uncharted waters.
STEP 1 - THE PROPOSAL
Eagle Scout Candidates must have already obtained their Life Rank. Once this is achieved, they can CLICK HERE to download the Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook.
Your proposal, the logical first step, should emphasize your intention to give leadership to others through proper planning and development. Communicate with the beneficiary often to ensure the project meets the organization’s needs once it is completed.
The Proposal is an overview, but also the beginning of planning. It shows the unit leader and any representatives of the Unit Committee, Council, or District that the following can be met:
- The Project provides sufficient opportunity to meet the requirement
- The project appears to be feasible.
- Safety issues will be addressed.
- Action Steps for further detailed planning are included.
- The Scout is on the right track with a reasonable chance for for a positive experience.
The detail required for a Proposal depends on the project complexity. It must be enough to provide a level of confidence for a Council or District reviewer the above tests can be met, but not so much that – based on the possibility a proposal can be rejected – it does not respect the time it takes to prepare.
We encourage you to seek guidance from your unit leader and project coach/Eagle Scout Mentor as you need help. Your Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook, much like a compass, will help navigate your way to a life of service as a proud Eagle Scout.
For Adults interested in becoming and Eagle Scout Mentor, these are the qualifications:
- Be registered with Scouting America in any adult position.
- Be current in Youth Protection Training
- Be knowledgeable about the Eagle Scout service project process.
- Be familiar with all paperwork for the award and insure it is completed correctly.
- Be a resource.
- Point the Scout towards the Eagle Project Workbooks and and Eagle requirements.
- Help them plan.
- Be a sounding board and sympathetic ear.
- Be available.
Once you have filled out the Project Proposal section of the workbook, you will need to submit it as a physical or electronic copy for review.
- In Hoover District:
- Please send electronic versions of your Proposal to David Loos at bigmoloos@gmail.com.
- Or, please contact the Illowa Council Service Center and we can provide you with an address to send a physical copy to Mr. Loos.
- In Inali District:
- Please send electronic versions of your Proposal to Kathy Mainz at kmainz56@gmail.com.
- Or, please contact the Illowa Council Service Center and we can provide you with an address to send a physical copy to Ms. Mainz.
- In Kittan District:
- Please send electronic versions of your Proposal to Kristi Smith at the Illowa Council Service Center at kristi.smith@scouting.org.
- Or, please send or bring in a physical copy to the Illowa Council Service Center and we can send it to the Kittan Eagle Board on your behalf.
- In Mesquakie District:
- Please send electronic versions of your Proposal to Bob Milroy at bobmilroy@cityofclintoniowa.us.
- Or, please contact the Illowa Council Service Center and we can provide you with an address to send a physical copy to Mr. Milroy.
- In Saukenuk District:
- Please send electronic versions of your Proposal to Wade Portner at scoutmastertroop325@gmail.com.
- Or, please contact the Illowa Council Service Center and we can provide you with an address to send a physical copy to Mr. Portner.
STEP 2 - BEGIN WORK
Once the proposal has been viewed by the Eagle Board for the District, they will contact you the Scout to let them know whether it has been approved, if they need more information, or if they need revisions. Eventually, when projects are approved, Scouts can begin work.
During this time, it is also imperative that Scouts are working on completing the minimum Merit Badge requirements (14 required and 7 electives) and completing the time required in a Position of Responsibility while a Life Scout.
While working on the project, it is important to track expenditures, hours, and other information to log it into your Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook. Also, make sure Scouts are taking pictures of their projects at different progress points. While this isn’t required, it’s a great way to provide a story about your project to the Eagle Board and to remember the work that is getting accomplished!
STEP 3 - PROJECT COMPLETION
Fill out the workbook in its entirety. The more detailed, the better. Remember – this document is a fillable PDF and it’s always better to have a typed copy than a handwritten one if possible. The workbook can also contain the pictures that were taken while working on the project.
Scouts will then need to fill out their Eagle Scout Rank Application. CLICK HERE to download a fillable PDF of the Eagle Scout Rank Application.
The most effective first step with the Rank Application is to reach out to the Council Service Center at reservations@loudthunder.org and ask for a copy of the Scout’s profile. Please provide their full name, unit number, and date of birth. This will expedite the process of filling out the application. This is also available at the unit level from a Key 3 Member in Scoutbook Plus.
Participate in a Scoutmaster Conference (Requirement 6). At this time, it is wise to collect signatures from the unit leader and the committee chair. Have them both review the application for possible missing items or errors before they add their signatures and dates.
Write a statement of your ambitions and life purpose and a listing of positions held in your religious institution, school, camp, community, or other organizations, during which you demonstrated leadership skills. Include honors and awards received during this service.
Scouts must also obtain a minimum of 3 reference letters. These are related to the references they provided in Requirement 2 on the Rank Application. These must remain confidential. We suggest that you mail or deliver a copy of the reference letter request to the people listed on your Rank application along with a stamped envelope addressed to the Illowa Council Service Center. In an appropriate location on the return envelope, include “Eagle Candidate: <Your Name>” so the envelope doesn’t have to be opened to find out who it is for. Envelopes are NOT to be address to the Eagle Candidate.
Here is a “quick list” of the documents required:
- Eagle Rank Application, filled out completely through Requirement 6, stopping before the BSA Local Council Verification line.
- Statement of Ambition and Life Purpose
- Completed Workbook
- Pictures of Project
- Reference Letters (3 minimum) CLICK HERE for a sample Reference Letter request
STEP 4 - DOCUMENT SUBMISSION
A Friendly Request: For all Scouts submitting physical copies of documents, please DO NOT put each page in an individual sheet protector.
Hoover District:
- Submit the Eagle Rank Application to the Illowa Council Service Center at reservations@loudthunder.org or mail in/drop off a physical copy. It will be verified (last step of Requirement 6).
- Submit the Statement of Ambition and Life Purpose, the Workbook, the project pictures, and reference letters directly to David Loos at bigmoloos@gmail.com or contact the Council Service Center for his mailing address if you intend to send physical copies.
Inali District:
- Submit the Eagle Rank Application to the Illowa Council Service Center at reservations@loudthunder.org or mail in/drop off a physical copy. It will be verified (last step of Requirement 6).
- Submit the Statement of Ambition and Life Purpose, the Workbook, the project pictures, and reference letters directly to Kathy Mainz at kmainz56@gmail.com or contact the Council Service Center for her mailing address if you intend to send physical copies.
Kittan District:
- Submit the Eagle Rank Application, Statement of Ambition and Life Purpose, the Workbook, the project pictures, and reference letters directly to to the Illowa Council Service Center at reservations@loudthunder.org or mail in/drop off a physical copy. The application will be verified (last step of Requirement 6).
Mesquakie District:
- Submit the Eagle Rank Application to the Illowa Council Service Center at reservations@loudthunder.org or mail in/drop off a physical copy. It will be verified (last step of Requirement 6).
- Submit the Statement of Ambition and Life Purpose, the Workbook, the project pictures, and reference letters directly to Bob Milroy at bobmilroy@cityofclintoniowa.us or contact the Council Service Center for his mailing address if you intend to send physical copies.
Saukenuk District:
- Submit the Eagle Rank Application to the Illowa Council Service Center at reservations@loudthunder.org or mail in/drop off a physical copy. It will be verified (last step of Requirement 6).
- Submit the Statement of Ambition and Life Purpose, the Workbook, the project pictures, and reference letters directly to Wade Portner at scoutmastertroop325@gmail.com or contact the Council Service Center for his mailing address if you intend to send physical copies.
STEP 5 - APPLICATION VERIFICATION
Each Eagle Scout Rank Application is verified at the Local Council Office. Every date listed on the application is checked against the Council’s records in my.scouting.org. If, for any reason, something cannot be reconciled, the Council will reach out to the Unit Leader or Parent for assistance.
Once the Application is verified, it will be signed at the Council and sent electronically to the District Eagle Committee Chair.
The District Eagle Committee Chair will contact the Scout using the information provided on the Application and the Workbook to set up a date and time for a Board of Review.
In the meantime, it is wise for Scouts to speak with their Eagle Mentor about how the Board of Review will be handled so they can be prepared.
STEP 6 - POST BOARD OF REVIEW
After a Scout successfully passes their Board of Review, the Eagle Board will sign the Application and return it to the Council Service Center.
The Application will then be signed by the Scout Executive or their Designee. A congratulatory letter will also be printed out and put in the mail.
The Scout will be submitted online for their Eagle Rank documents (Certificate, ID Card). These take a minimum of 2 weeks to be produced at National. Once they arrive at the office, the unit leader will be notified by email and it can be picked up at your earliest convenience.
The Community Impact Gala
Scouts, their families, and their units are encouraged to attend the annual Community Impact Gala. This event is held each April. Eagle Scouts who have earned their rank the previous calendar year are invited to attend the current year’s Gala for FREE.
CLICK HERE for more info on this great event.
THE Glenn & Melinda Adams Eagle Scout Project of the Year Award
If your project provided valuable service of an exceptional nature to a religious institution, a school, a community, or another entity while doing his or her Eagle Scout service project, you are eligible for this award!
An Eagle Scout, his or her parents, or any registered BSA volunteer (with the Eagle Scout’s permission) may submit the Eagle Scout service project for consideration by filling out the nomination form found at NESA.org.
CLICK HERE for the nomination form.
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