Eagle Scout Service Projects - Planning and Executing with Purpose
Learn about Eagle Scout service projects organized by Boy Scouts of America, Dan Beard Council. Discover how to choose, plan, and execute projects, developing leadership and project management skills along the way. Understand the lessons to be learned and the restrictions when undertaking such projects.
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Eagle Scout Service Projects Boy Scouts of America Dan Beard Council December 7th, 2017
Project Purpose Provide service in fulfillment of the part of the Scout Oath, ..to help other people at all times, Develop and hone leadership skills Demonstrate project management skills: Planning projects Gathering resources Leadership in execution Evaluating results Page *
Lessons to be Learned Four steps: conceiving, planning, executing, and evaluating Approaching a sponsor and proposing a project Planning, planning, planning Sequencing tasks and prerequisites Gathering resources financial, tools, personnel Leadership - managing time and resources Coping with unexpected events Keeping current, complete and accurate records Evaluating results Presentation of the results Page *
Choosing a Project Your project may be for any religious institution, any school, or your community. BSA has redefined your community to include the community of the world . Community of the World need not be a registered non-profit but might be a group of individuals, museums, service agencies, homes for the elderly, etc. Projects on private property that are used by the community might qualify. If in doubt, write up the proposal and seek Council approval before planning the project. Page *
Choosing a Project, contd. Your project must present an opportunity for planning, development, and leadership. Projects which involve canned procedures, such as blood drives or Red Cross programs, often lack the opportunity to plan and execute but may qualify if the canned activity is part of a larger project involving marketing, logistics, multiple events, etc. Details follow but make sure your project can be carried out with the help of unskilled volunteers other Scouts, parents, school friends, etc. Page *
Restrictions There are no minimum required hours for a project. Routine labor is not normally appropriate for the project, e.g., ordinary maintenance, painting, landscape upkeep Projects may not be of a commercial nature or for a business but need not be registered non-profit organizations if they serve the community Projects may not be fund-raisers, even for a worthy cause, but fundraising is permitted to secure materials and facilitate a project. Fundraising is specifically addressed in the project workbook and may require Council approval No more than one Eagle candidate may receive credit for working on the same Eagle project Projects may not be performed for Boy Scouts of America, its councils, districts, units, or properties. Page *
Where to Find a Project Chartered organization church or other unit sponsor Historical or genealogical society, cemeteries Nature center, museums School - public or non-profit private Inner-city group or community center Fire department Community parks or garden clubs City, county, or state parks Page *
Construction-type Projects Shelves and space organizers Benches, work tables Mailboxes Shelters Bulletin boards Drywall and painting Bird/bat houses Ponds and wildlife observation environments Steps wood, stone Drainage, retaining walls Steps on a trail or building Water bars on a trail ADA-compliant entrance ramps Bridges and handrails Erosion control Concrete, paver and stone work Patios and paths Fencing and handrails Fire ring, prayer circle, outdoor chapel Hiking and nature trails Landscaping removal, renovation Garden and raised beds Sprinkler systems Compost bins Mulching and weed barriers Signage and marking for trails, plants, trees Trail/plant/tree marking Props for plays Playground equipment assembly and refurbishing Historical building restoration Page *
Humanitarian Projects Food preparation for a soup kitchen Specialized web site, audio history of community Cemetery documentation and restoration Blanket, shoe or eyeglass collection Toy or book collection for a school or church Care packages for troops Education cards for third-world country clinic Details of the planning and leadership must be shown but these projects may be very rewarding Page *
Words of Caution Get professional help with electrical, plumbing, concrete or structural work Get help with and be patient in any project that requires a building permit Avoid projects with potential legal implications or liability issues Projects that are dependent on government funding can be shaky late in the fiscal year The sponsor should be the first source of funds - Eagle projects should not supplement the sponsor s budget Page *
Navigating the Eagle Process The Eagle Process requires documentation and involvement on the part of unit personnel District personnel sign off on the concept, not the details Project coaches are strongly recommended Fundraising needs council approval This procedure places more responsibility on the unit to carefully review projects, coach Eagle candidates, and be responsible for the results Council/district involvement is more pass/fail make sure the case for advancement is well presented Page *
Eagle Service Project Workbook Use only the fillable pdf form available at: http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/512-927_fillable.pdf Major sections: Contacts (p 6) Project Proposal (pp 7-10) Final Plan (pp 11-16) not required but strongly recommended Fundraising Application (pp 17-18) required only if the project is not self-funded Project Report (pp 19-20) Page *
Project Proposal (pp 7-10) The proposal must show that: The project provides sufficient opportunity to meet the Eagle Scout service project requirement It appears to be feasible Safety issues will be addressed Action steps for further detailed planning are included The candidate is on the right track with a reasonable chance of a positive experience Project must not start until all signatures are obtained Page *
Final Plan (pp 11-16) To be completed after the project is approved (p 10) Although no one approves this plan, it is important in demonstrating that detail planning took place before execution Scouts and units are strongly encouraged to utilize Eagle coaches any registered unit, district, or council person with knowledge of the Eagle process and willing to help the Scout think through the project and plan it Use of a coach can help prevent problems and improve your chance of passing the board of review Page *
Fundraising Application (pp 17-18) Not required if the project is funded entirely by the beneficiary, the Scout, his parents and relatives, his unit or chartered organization, or parents and members of the unit Any other source of funding requires this application to be filled out and submitted to the Council service center for approval see p 18 for details Use of a separate account managed by the beneficiary is the best method, e.g., Joe Smith Eagle Project Fund Have donations made to the beneficiary, not the Scout Page *
Project Report (pp 19-20) Final report on completion of the project All sections are to be completed Requires signatures from the candidate, beneficiary and unit leader If materials or other items were not required, mark the space not applicable Page *
Suggested Final Plan Supplements These may be additional documents included with the workbook Drawings or sketches of anything being built Maps and/or photos of the area in which the project is to take place A schedule or time line of the work to be carried out A description of specialized work to be carried out by adults Copies of any construction permits, dig permits, permission to enter property, etc. Plans for weather conditions. Any other important details needed for someone to understand the project. Page *
Planning Tips Keep everything in a looseleaf notebook with section dividers Refer to attachments and supplements as needed Visuals (maps, diagrams, computer-generated drawings, etc.) are helpful in communicating the details Base schedules on Day 1, Day 2, etc., not specific dates weather can affect the plan Page *
Execution Tips The Eagle candidate must be in charge - adults are to work on the project only under the candidate s direction Itemize the tasks and skills required for the project Helpers can be Scouts, family members, friends Make sure there is responsible, two-deep adult supervision and/or advisors for critical tasks Plan for heat, cold, weather and medical issues Organize teams to work on specific tasks use the Patrol Method Match tasks to the age and ability of the team members Make sure each team has something to do at all times Have a Plan B for each team in case of problems or delays Page *
Record-Keeping Tips Keep records of who helped and when, then record it on a spreadsheet at the end of the day Include hours worked on your behalf by others if they worked under your direction Take photos of work in progress, use the same angle and lighting for the After photos Keep a journal of activities, problems, resolutions, changes, and general thoughts on the project Review and analyze each day s experience to see how to improve your skills during the next session Page *
Project Writeup Follow the workbook format, pp 19-20 Don t rush take time to evaluate your experience Step back and be objective, it s how you learn to do a better job next time Include your journal, spreadsheets, receipts, letters, copies of permits, etc., in an appendix Loose items and photos are best in plastic jackets Page *
Board of Review Presentation Original application with all signatures, approved by Dan Beard Council One master copy of the workbook, including photos and attachments Statement of Life Goals and Ambitions Distribute copies to each Board of Review member a few days in advance Letters of reference Do not include blue card stubs or originals of documents that are difficult to replace Page *
Questions? Page *
