i. How to Complete the Workbook

As a Life Scout you most use the official online version of the Eagle Scout workbook found at https://www.scouting.org/programs/scouts-bsa/advancement-and-awards/resources/ at the time you start development of the proposal. You must be allowed to continue using that version when newer versions are released even if your proposal has not yet been approved. If your workbook has been approved using the original version you may choose to complete the “Final Plan,” the “Fundraising Application,” and the “Project Report” sections using a newer version workbook.

In 2011, BSA significantly revised the Eagle Scout service project approval process basing the approval on the Project Proposal and not the Project Plan. That process has been revised frequently with new workbooks being published Oct 11, Dec 11, Apr 12, May 14, May 15 and Oct 15. It is therefore critical to confirm that the current version of the Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook is downloaded from BSA National.

If you experience difficulties with the fill able PDF, you may need to download the current version of Adobe Acrobat reader (available free online at http://get.adobe.com/reader/). CAUTION: If you use a Mac be sure to use the actual Acrobat Reader application as the IOS version convert all of the text you type to white and no one with a PC will be able to read your workbook.

Contact Information

Complete the contact information sheet with as much information as is available. Ask you Eagle Coach to help you complete any missing information.

Preparing the Project Proposal

It strongly recommended that you review the DAC's Guide for completing the Eagle Workbook which suggests the types of information and details that you should include in your workbook. Use this as a guide when you complete your project workbook.

Your proposal must be complete and thorough enough to convince your unit leader, unit committee, and district committee that you meet the following tests. It is an overview, but also the beginnings of detailed planning. If you want your proposal to be approved, it must show the following:

  1. It provides sufficient opportunity to meet the Eagle Scout service project requirement. You must show that planning, development, and leadership will take place; and how the three factors will benefit a religious institution, a school, or your community.

  2. It appears to be feasible. You must show the project is realistic for you to complete give available resources.

  3. Safety issues will be addressed. You must show you have an understanding of what must be done to guard against injury, and what will be done if someone does get hurt. The workbook and several other BSA guidelines will need to be addressed.

  4. Action steps for further detailed planning are included. You must make a list of the key steps you will take to make sure your plan has enough details to be carried out successfully. The Detailed planning section of the workbook provides some insight to these further steps.

  5. You are on the right track with a reasonable chance for a positive experience.

CAUTION: There are three sections where pictures, drawings and maps are inserted into the workbook. The following lists a few precautions to consider. If you have difficulty inserting the files speak with your Eagle Coach. If you are still having problems inserting your graphics simply email you pictures, drawings and maps as attachments with the PDF version of your workbook.

  • Only *. jpeg*. jpg, *.bmp, *.png, *.tif, or *.gif images can be inserted.

  • You can not delete an image once it is inserted into the pdf however you may replace it with another image by simply inserting the new file. You can even create a blank file to overwrite a previously inserted image.

  • Most cameras take high resolution pictures with file sizes of 5 Meg or larger. You should shrink your images before inserting them in the workbook. If you don't do so your file may become tool large to email. Sites such as Shrink Pictures allow you to easily compress the file size.

  • Note: If you have already inserted a large image into your workbook simply shrink the original picture and reinsert the smaller image back into you workbook.

Your proposal need only be detailed enough to show the reviewers that you can meet the tests above. If you find in order to do that, the proposal must be lengthy and complicated, your project might be more complex than necessary.

Do not begin any work or raise any money or obtain any materials until your project proposal has been approved.

An additional guide can be found at Eagle Scout.org.

The Final Plan

It strongly recommended that you review the DAC's Guide for completing the Eagle Workbook which suggests the types of information and details that you should include in your workbook. Use this as a guide when you complete your project workbook.

This is the most important part of the workbook. You should thoroughly complete the Eagle Scout Service Project Final Plan after your proposal has been approved. This is a tool for your use no one approves it-and it can be important in showing your Eagle Scout board of review that you have planned and developed your project as required. For this reason you are strongly encouraged to share the final plan with a project coach. It is equally important to give a copy of the Final Plan and attachments to the project beneficiary before you start work. A coach can help you avoid many problems associated with service projects, and thus improve your chance of passing the Eagle board of review.

The Fundraising Application

If your fundraising effort involves contributions only from the beneficiary or you, your parents or relatives, your unit or its chartered organization, or parents or members in your unit, submitting the fundraising application is not necessary. If you will be obtaining money or materials from any other sources, you must submit a completed application to the local council service center. For more information, see "Procedures and Limitations on Eagle Scout Service Project Fundraising" on Fundraising Application Page A of the workbook and the Money Earning Application page.

The Project Report

It strongly recommended that you review the DAC's Guide for completing the Eagle Workbook which suggests the types of information and details that you should include in your workbook. Use this as a guide when you complete your project workbook.

Complete this portion after the project has been finished. Note the space for you to sign (confirming that you led and completed the project), and also the signature lines for the beneficiary and your unit leader's approval that your project met Eagle Scout requirement 5. As with the proposal and final plan, if materials, etc., were not required, mark those spaces "not applicable."