Eagle Palms

• 1. After successfully completing your Eagle Scout board of review and being validated as an Eagle Scout by the National Service Center, you will be entitled to receive an Eagle Palm for each additional 5 merit badges you have completed before your Eagle Scout board of review. For these Palms only, it will not be necessary for you to complete any of the requirements stated below. After becoming an Eagle Scout, you may earn additional Palms by completing the following requirements. Be active in the Boy Scouts of America for at least three months after becoming an Eagle Scout or after the last Palm was earned.

  2. Since earning the Eagle Scout rank or your last Eagle Palm, demonstrate Scout spirit by living the Scout Oath and Scout Law. Tell how you have done your duty to God and how you have lived the Scout Oath and Scout Law in your everyday life.

  3. Continue to set a satisfactory example of accepting responsibility or demonstrating leadership ability.

  4. Earn five additional merit badges beyond those required for Eagle or last Palm.

  5. While an Eagle Scout, participate in a Scoutmaster conference*.

*For Varsity Scouts working on Boy Scout requirements replace “Scoutmaster” with “Varsity Scout Coach.” For Venturers working on Boy Scout requirements replace “Scoutmaster” with “crew Advisor.” For Sea Scouts working on Boy Scout requirements replace “Scoutmaster” with “Skipper.”

You may wear only the proper combination of Palms for the number of merit badges you earned beyond the rank of Eagle. The Bronze Palm represents five merit badges, the Gold Palm 10, and the Silver Palm 15.

How does my unit report my palms? Scoutnet does not support electronic reporting for palms. The unit advancement coordinator must submit a paper advancement report www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/34403.pdf to council. A copy of the advancement report will be need to purchase the palms at the scout shop.

What it takes to earn the Palms? Eagle Palms recognize Eagle Scouts who remain active in Scouting and earn merit badges beyond the 21 required for Scouting’s highest rank. After the number of new Eagle Scouts began to exceed 3,000 each year, BSA officials saw the need for awards beyond Eagle Scout. So the Palms were introduced in 1927.

What do the Palm colors signify? The Bronze Palm represents five merit badges, the Gold Palm 10 merit badges, and the Silver Palm 15 merit badges. Scouts must earn Palms in that order.

Do merit badges for a Palm have to be earned after a Scout has become an Eagle Scout? No. Any merit badges he has earned since joining Scouting may be used, except those applied for his Eagle rank.

What is the cutoff date for earning Palms? Scouts may not earn Palms beyond their 18th birthday.

Can Venturers earn Palms? Any male Venturer who has achieved the First Class rank as a Boy Scout or Varsity Scout may continue advancement toward Star, Life, and Eagle Scout ranks and Eagle Palms up to his 18th birthday.

Where do Scouts wear Palms? Palms are worn on the ribbon of the Eagle medal or, for adult Scouters, on the Eagle square knot. They are not worn on the pocket emblem. When worn, Palms should represent the number of additional merit badges earned. For example, a Scout who has earned 20 additional merit badges (and completed the other requirements described above) would wear a Silver Palm and a Bronze Palm.

Does a Scout have to hold a position of responsibility such as senior patrol leader to earn a Palm? No. The requirement states “…develop and demonstrate leadership ability.” A Scout could meet this requirement in other ways such as by serving on National Youth Leadership Training staff or completing a Scoutmaster-assigned leadership project.